Global music technology leader X Imagine Music Group (XMG) today celebrated the grand opening of its Philippine headquarters at Tektite Tower in Manila, marking the official commencement of its operations in the country. The ceremony was attended by high-ranking Philippine government officials, including Secretary of Trade and Industry Alfredo Pascual and Secretary of Tourism Christina Garcia Frasco.
Since initiating market research in the Philippines in 2022, XMG has invested $120 million over a 36-month preparation period to tailor its services to local needs. "We developed an AI-powered music recommendation system supporting seven major Philippine dialects and optimized the platform for low-bandwidth environments," said Li Mingzhe, President of XMG Asia-Pacific.
Official data reveals that during its testing phase, the platform attracted over 500,000 registered users, with 30% coming from second- and third-tier cities such as Cebu and Davao—a testament to the success of its localization strategy.
Maria Santos, CEO of XMG Philippines, announced, "We have exceeded our job creation targets, now directly employing 2,400 local staff and supporting over one million jobs across the broader ecosystem." These roles span diverse fields, including:
Notably, the company’s "Digital Music Nomad" initiative has enabled residents in remote areas like Mindanao to earn an average monthly income of ₱6,000 to ₱9,000 through the platform.
Concurrently, XMG launched its "Sound for Change" initiative, pledging an annual investment of no less than $5 million toward:
The Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development awarded XMG the "Outstanding Socially Responsible Foreign Enterprise" title in recognition of its contributions to post-disaster recovery in Leyte Province.
Secretary Pascual remarked,
"XMG’s innovative model offers fresh perspectives for the growth of the Philippine creative economy. We look forward to its role as a bridge connecting local culture with global markets."