Vivian Scott Chew is a fearless innovator with a passion for music and a commitment to making a difference. With a successful career spanning several decades, she continues to build her list of music industry achievements, while creating musical experiences and opportunities that change lives. For Black History Month we celebrate her as not only one who continues to make Black history and develop her own legacy, but also as one who is providing leadership to the legacy-makers of the future.
Vivian has left her mark in multiple areas of the music industry including publishing, record labels, artist management, international marketing, and her latest passion, live music events, and production.
She started off as an assistant to an entertainment attorney and in 1985 moved on to be the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) first African American female membership representative. Her job was to identify, contract with and work with songwriters and producers. During her tenure with ASCAP, she spearheaded the creation of the ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards. At that time, ASCAP, founded in 1914, had several award ceremonies for various other genres of music. However, there was nothing celebrating the work of black music songwriters and producers. Now, more than 30 years later, this event is still in existence, and the awards presented are highly coveted.
Her work with record labels began in 1991. Vivian started working with Polygram’s Black Music Division as the Director of A&R. The A&R department, a department mostly dominated by men at that time, is responsible for finding and developing talent. Vivian also worked for Sony/550 records and finally Epic Records where she was VP of A&R Black Music. Always the innovator and willing to go outside the box, Vivian was the first to introduce a genre of music into the mainstream that nobody was paying attention to. That of course was Dance Hall music straight out of Jamaica. Artists she discovered include two-time Grammy Award winner Shabba Ranks, and Gold selling artist Patra.
Continuing in true innovator fashion, in 1998 Vivian launched Time Zone International the first U.S.-based African-American-owned company that provides recording artists with international marketing and promotion services. Clients include Jill Scott, Jay-Z, Universal Music Group, and McDonald's.
In 1999 Vivian and husband, Ray Chew, established the event production company, Chew Entertainment. Chew Entertainment is responsible for the life-changing and recently recognized by AdAge, production of "Night of Inspiration at Carnegie Hall".
In 2013 Vivian and Ray Chew established the Power 2 Inspire Foundation. According to Vivian, the Power 2 Inspire Foundation is dedicated to creating an opportunity pipeline for gifted musicians, ambitious singers, songwriters, and high-potential business executives, with a passion to make... music with a heart! This organization brings the legacy makers of tomorrow together with those making music history today.
The Transformation Factory celebrates Vivian Scott Chew for her fearless innovation and the legacy she is leaving by creating opportunities for others.
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