Broadly revered music government Kazuhiro Shimada has departed his function as Chief Working Officer of Warner Music Japan.
MBW understands that Tuesday (July 9) was the Tokyo-based exec’s final day on the firm and that an official replace is prone to be issued quickly.
Shimada joined Warner Music Japan in November 2022 from Amazon Music Japan, the place he served as Director & Common Supervisor.
Beforehand, Shimada was Company Government of Common Music Japan, and previous to that, Vice President, Technique of MTV Networks Japan.
Shimada has additionally labored at GAGA Communications, an impartial movie acquisition, advertising and distribution firm.
Partnerships struck by Warner Music Japan in latest months embody one with LAND, a artistic home primarily based in Jakarta, Los Angeles and Tokyo.
Warner Music additionally lately partnered with Pink Mild Administration to develop alternatives for Pink Mild’s artists in Japan.
Warner expanded its world impartial distribution division ADA into Japan in 2020, which is now led by Yoonsung Chu, who joined the corporate from Activision Blizzard
Japan is the world’s second-largest music market after the US. The CD continues to be the dominant format out there, which generated 108 billion yen (USD $668m) from CD gross sales in 2023, up 8% YoY in line with RIAJ information.
Revenues generated by subscription streaming in Japan, in the meantime, reached 85 billion yen (USD $526m) in 2023, up 12% YoY.
Talking with MBW at first of 2023 for our World Leaders Sequence, Shimada stated that, “Streaming adoption is now rising at a wholesome price [in Japan] and we count on this to proceed over the subsequent few years”.
He added that Warner Music Japan’s digital income is now bigger than its bodily income.
“Bodily continues to be an necessary income driver, however we’re nonetheless absolutely targeted on being a digital-savvy firm, main the best way with revolutionary merchandise and advertising campaigns,” he stated.
Confirming the information of his departure in a social media publish this week, Shimada stated: “I wish to specific my deepest gratitude to all my colleagues whom I’ve labored with, enterprise companions, artists and artist managers who’ve supported me all through the time.”
He added: “I plan to take a break for some time to recharge myself and sit up for the subsequent problem within the close to future.”Music Enterprise Worldwide
