Broadly revered music govt Kazuhiro Shimada has resigned as chief working officer Warner Music Japan.
MBW has realized that Tuesday (July 9) would be the Tokyo-based govt’s final day on the firm, and an official replace is prone to be launched quickly.
Shimada joins Warner Music Japan in November 2022 Amazon Music Japan, the place he serves as Director and Common Supervisor.
Beforehand, Shimada served as universal music Japan, and beforehand served as Vice President of Technique for MTV Community Japan.
Shimada additionally labored at GAGA Communications, an impartial movie acquisition, advertising and distribution firm.
Warner Music Japan’s partnerships in current months embrace one Working with LAND, a artistic company primarily based in Jakarta, Los Angeles and Tokyo.
Warner Music additionally just lately partnered with Crimson Mild Administration to supply extra alternatives for Crimson Mild artists in Japan.
Warner expanded its international impartial distribution arm ADA into Japan in 2020 and has now change into Led by Zhu Runchengjoins the corporate from Activision Blizzard
Japan is the world’s second largest music market after the US. CDs stay the dominant format available in the market, with CD gross sales income reaching 108 billion yen (US$668 million) in 2023, an 8% annual improve, in response to RIAJ knowledge.
On the similar time, income generated from streaming subscriptions in Japan will attain 85 billion yen (US$526 million) by 2023, an annual improve of 12%.
“Streaming adoption is presently rising at a wholesome fee,” Shimada stated in an interview with MBW on the World Leaders Collection in early 2023. [in Japan] We anticipate this to proceed within the coming years”.
Warner Music Japan’s digital income is now larger than its bodily income, he added.
“Bodily stays an vital income driver, however we stay absolutely centered on changing into a digitally savvy firm that leads the best way by progressive merchandise and advertising campaigns,” he stated.
Shimada confirmed his departure in a put up on social media this week. He stated: “I want to categorical my deepest gratitude to all of the colleagues, enterprise companions, artists and expertise managers who’ve labored with me and who’ve at all times supported me. ” ”.
He added: “I intend to take a while off to recharge my batteries and sit up for the subsequent problem within the close to future.”international music enterprise
