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Vivian Scott Chew, native New Yorker and music executive, is undeniably a pioneering risk taker in every sense of the word. As Founder and Principal of TimeZone International, she stands as an innovative figure in the global music and entertainment industry.
As any accomplished groundbreaker’s story would read, it’s very fitting that one of Vivian’s foundational, innovative steps was at ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers), where she was the first African- American female membership representative. She then founded the “ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Awards,” which became an instant success and has grown to become an ASCAP staple event celebrating its 30th year in 2017. Not long after her work at ASCAP, Chew was called to work at Polygram Records as Director of A&R. Her next executive positions were that of Vice President of A&R at Epic Records and Head of Urban at 550/Sony Music where she worked for over six years. Amongst other notable successes, she signed and introduced the world to two-time Grammy winning, platinum selling dancehall superstar, Shabba Ranks- and ushered in the dancehall movement in America and beyond.
Determined to set her own course, Vivian stepped into the world of entrepreneurship and TimeZone International was conceived. Since 1998, TimeZone International has been the first and only U.S. based African-American owned company that provides many recording artists, such as Jill Scott, Lil Wayne, JoJo, Toni and Tamar Braxton, Kem, Brian McKnight, Jay-Z, India.Arie, BeBe Winans and others with international marketing and promotion, touring, licensing and distribution services in expanded regions. These services are also available to corporate clients. It was Vivian who spearheaded the McDonald’s “I’m Lovin’ It” campaign in six international territories, at a time when internet marketing and social media was in its infant stages.
Alongside her husband, Music Director and Producer, Ray Chew, Vivian co-owns Chew Entertainment, a premiere event production firm. Together they have a great reverence for live music, working with clients such as Carnegie Hall, The National Urban League, NAACP, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, The New York Mission Society, The American Heart Association, Jackie Robinson Foundation, Bergen and New Jersey Performing Arts Centers, and the Apollo Theater. There are many exciting developments on the horizon for both TimeZone International and Chew Entertainment but Vivian is most excited about the formation of The Chews’ foundation, “Power2Inspire” and the opening of their New Jersey recording studio, RVMK. Both of these entities were created to identify and nurture new and developing musicians, singers, songwriters, producers and aspiring music business executives in pursuit of their careers.
Music Director Ray Chew performs at the helm of award winning musical events with the world’s most popular artists in-cluding Rihanna, Carrie Underwood, Pharrell Williams, Justin Beiber, Aretha Franklin, Lenny Kravitz, Pitbull, Queen Lati-fah, James Taylor, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Jennifer Hudson and Quincy Jones. Currently Ray is in his ninth season as the music director for ABC’s “Dancing with The Stars” giving his music takes on current and classic hits.
Previously Ray served as music director for Fox’s “American Idol’; where he inspired some of the best talent in the compe-tition’s history and produced over 300 contestant iTunes downloads. He has also served as music director for several net-work television series including “It’s Showtime at the Apollo” and BET’s “Sunday Best”. Ray’s long-standing history with the BET Network, heading up the music for their biggest annual events include: “BET Honors’; “Celebration of Gospel” and the “BET Awards”.
Ray’s music direction is sought after for prestigious music specials and historic landmark events including the 65th Prime-time Emmy Awards, the 2015 Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony, the 2008 Democratic National Convention, The President’s Inaugural Neighborhood Ball and the 44th Annual NAACP Image Awards. In 2014, with the blessings of Milton DeLugg – who had previously held the seat for 50 years, Ray was handed the baton to musically direct NBC’s broadcast of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade… an 88 year tradition.
Ray’s work with orchestras as a conductor and a composer has carried him to prestigious venues all over the world. From the Hollywood Bowl in L.A. to the Nobel Peace Prize broadcast in Norway, Ray’s in demand sound can be found on vari-ous television and film scores.
At New York’s Carnegie Hall, he and his wife, Vivian Scott Chew, curate “A Night of Inspiration” – a sold out all-star con-cert to promote diversity at the famed venue. He conducted a 64-piece orchestra joined by a 200 voice mass choir for no-table artists from the gospel and secular communities.
