Believe has unveiled a comprehensive partnership with Japanese music company Teichiku.
Through this partnership, Believe will distribute Teichiku’s entire catalogue, both locally and worldwide helping to drive global expansion.
“With a 90-year legacy, Teichiku has been dedicated to cultivating a rich catalogue and nurturing the next generation of artists,” said a statement. “This partnership will help Teichiku expand their digital footprint by leveraging Believe’s global DSP network, cutting-edge technology, and digital-first expertise to bring Japanese enka, kayokyoku and pop music to a wider global audience.”
Digital-focused Believe will work to create new opportunities for Japanese artists to expand their reach globally. The Japanese domestic market retains a high degree of physical music consumption.
Teichiku Entertainment president & CEO Hideki Kurita said: “Teichiku Entertainment celebrated its 90th anniversary last year. Throughout our history, we have represented some of Japan’s most iconic artists, produced iconic hits representing Japan and continue to work with top-tier talent, maintaining a strong presence in the enka and kayokyoku genres. Our mission now is to bring our extensive catalogue of hit songs beyond Japan’s borders and also contribute to the success of J-Pop on a global scale.
“Over the past year, we have been exploring distribution services to strengthen our global and digital strategies. We were particularly drawn to Believe’s global track record and passion, which we are confident will support our ambitious goals. Through this partnership, we will accelerate our growth in the digital domain and continue challenging ourselves to establish a strong position in the music industry both locally and globally as we approach our 100th anniversary."
Sawako Matsuo, director of Teichiku's marketing department, said: "We deeply resonate with Believe’s philosophy of supporting artists and labels worldwide with expertise, fairness, respect and transparency. We were also impressed by the passion of the Believe team. Over a year of preparation, we have built a strong foundation of trust, and now, we are ready to launch. This amicable partnership will undoubtedly aid our growth in the digital space and contribute to the success of both companies."
Our mission now is to bring our extensive catalogue of hit songs beyond Japan’s borders
Hideki Kurita
Believe APAC president Sylvain Delange added: “Teichiku has been a success story 90 years in the making, as one of the most established record labels in Japan. By embracing digital with a first of its kind integrated partnership with Believe, they are today showing they are also one of the most innovative.
“We are extremely proud and excited to be carrying the legacy of Teichiku’s legendary artists to digital platforms in Japan – where we are fully committed to contributing to the acceleration of the growth of the domestic market – but also to the world, by providing international audiences with even more opportunity to explore the depths of Japanese music.”
Believe Japan general manager Erika Ogawa-Arai added: “We are delighted that our partnership with Teichiku, built upon extensive dialogue and a shared vision, has now reached the stage of execution. Teichiku’s digital transformation strategy is not a surface-level effort. It is being fundamentally driven across all levels of the company, from leadership to operational teams.
“We are confident that our collaboration with Teichiku, not only a historic company that has developed Japan’s most esteemed artists and songs but also a leader that masterfully balances tradition and innovation, will lead to highly fruitful outcomes. Believe Japan team is fully committed to revitalising Teichiku’s catalogue and supporting the development of next-generation artists. We will continue striving to maximise opportunities for artists to connect with new audiences."
PHOTO: (L-R) Hideki Kurita and Sylvain Delange
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