Forbes names alumnus to Top 30 Under 30 in music
Published: January 29, 2014
When all the songs are downloaded and the videos viewed, what’s left for a music lover to do?
For Derrick Fung, who graduated from University of Toronto Scarborough in 2009 with a bachelor's degree in business administration, the answer is clear. Turn to Tunezy, an innovative online music experience platform that’s changing the relationship between fans and musicians.
Forbes thinks he’s on to something: it named the entrepreneur to its 2014 Top 30 Under 30 in Music list for his influence in the music industry. Fung, co-founder and CEO of Tunezy, shares the list with red carpet regulars such as Drake, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars.
With Tunezy, Fung pioneered connecting fans and their favourite musicians through unique experiences. It’s a win-win for both sides. Tunezy promotes musicians’ work through its extensive subscriber list, and encourages artists to sell their merchandise and digital goods through the platform.
Artists also sell experiences, which can range from personalized happy birthday songs to VIP pre-shows. Experiences can be created from fan wishlists, which are posted online for musicians to view and consider.
A music enthusiast who trained at Toronto’s Royal Conservatory of Music, Fung combined his passion for music with his entrepreneurial drive early on. In high school he created a free sheet music sharing site that had over 50,000 registered members.
Fung’s determination and vision have been acknowledged through multiple awards, including Profit’s Top 20 Under 30 Entrepreneurs in Canada and U of T’s Gordon Cressy Leadership Award. Tunezy won Billboard's Innovator's Showcase in 2012. Fung has also parlayed his experience with Tunezy, and previous stints in the banking industry, to mentor students as UTSC’s Executive-in-Residence.
Lanna Crucefix is a writer with the University of Toronto Scarborough.
