Rights management platform OpenPlay has revealed its first partnership in Japan.
The agreement with Toy’s Factory will see OpenPlay provide comprehensive content management services. Their centralised platform will enable the Japanese label to manage and utilise its array of digital assets, including audio, video, artwork and metadata.
The deal marks OpenPlay’s entry into the world’s second largest music market and follows its successful completion of a multi-million-dollar strategic investment round to accelerate its global expansion strategy.
Founded in 1990, Toy’s Factory represents artists ranging from long-established icons to new voices in Japanese pop culture, including the first four albums from Babymetal.
Through the partnership, the company will have access to OpenPlay’s platform as a central hub to manage its data and digital assets while maintaining complete control of its rights. As the label looks to expand the global success of its artists, OpenPlay will provide the technology infrastructure to streamline its content management.
While Japanese music consumers remain wedded to the CD format, they are increasingly embracing the streaming economy – a trend that provides an opportunity for OpenPlay.
Edward Ginis, CEO of OpenPlay, said: “As one of the world’s biggest music markets, and with a rapidly growing streaming economy, Japanese music has huge potential for global growth, given the right tools. We believe the OpenPlay platform will provide Toy’s Factory with the right technology infrastructure and foundation to unlock that global growth. We look forward to working with the team to provide a tailored service to help manage its data, metadata and digital assets, enabling them to focus on their creative strengths and on connecting their artists with global audiences.”
Shintaro Inoue, Toy’s Factory’s head of digital, said: “As a label focused on creativity, tackling database development, metadata management and distribution tools on our own can be a significant challenge. We believe OpenPlay can play an essential role in providing solutions to Japanese labels and production companies like ours.”
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