Universal Music Japan (UMJ) has acquired a majority stake in A-Sketch, which operates as an artist management business and record label.
The company is home to popular Japanese artists including Saucy Dog, Flumpool and Ayumu Imazu.
A-Sketch was founded in 2008, as a subsidiary of Amuse, one of Japan’s largest artist management companies, in partnership with telecommunications company KDDI. Since its founding, the company has signed and developed artists across a variety of genres including rock, J-pop and Anime-music.
The label’s catalogue includes releases from One OK Rock, among others. A-Sketch is also home to Mash A&R, a rock management company that represents artists including The Oral Cigarettes, Frederic and Saucy Dog.
Under the terms of the agreement, Universal Music Japan will acquire the stake in A-Sketch currently owned by Amuse, effective immediately. A-Sketch will operate as a label division within Universal Music Japan, under the continued leadership of Nobuyuki Soma, representative director and President, A-Sketch, who will report to Universal Music Japan’s president & CEO, Naoshi Fujikura (pictured).
“The acquisition will further bolster Universal Music Japan’s in-house artist management capabilities and expand its ability to drive new creative and commercial opportunities for its artists, including launching compelling and innovative experiences for Japanese music fans both domestically, and globally,” said a statement.
Naoshi Fujikura, president and CEO Universal Music Japan, said: “It is our pleasure to welcome A-Sketch, the home of many unique and talented artists, to Universal Music Japan. We look forward to enhancing the value of these artists and delivering their talents to an even wider audience through our extensive global network and passion both domestically and internationally.”
Nobuyuki Soma, representative director & president, A-Sketch, said: “We are very excited to announce that A-Sketch will be joining Universal Music Group, the global leader in the industry. This partnership will provide our artists with significant opportunities for international expansion, and we look forward to finding new synergies across all of our creative endeavours.”
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