Universal Music LLC (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Fujikura Hisashi) is pleased to announce that our President and CEO, Fujikura Hisashi, has been selected as one of the Billboard International Power Players 2024 (BIPP) announced by the American music magazine Billboard.
The music market in 2023 is set to record positive growth for the ninth consecutive year*¹, with the spread of music streaming services in countries such as Asia, Africa and Latin America contributing greatly to this growth. BIPP selects individuals who have contributed to the growth of the music industry outside the United States, which accounts for approximately 60% of the market, from 10 categories by region and business sector*².
* IFPI Announcement: Global Music Report
* Music Groups (Global/Europe/Latin/Australia), Labels and Distributors/ Associations /Publishing /Live/Agencies
Since taking office in 2014, Fujikura has nurtured numerous artists and created hit works, while also expanding new businesses such as the opening of “Universal Music Store Harajuku,” leading the company to 10 consecutive years of growth. The company was selected for the BIPP in 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, making this the first time a company from Japan has been selected for the BIPP for four consecutive years and five times in total.
Reference: Billboard International Power Players 2024
Naoshi Fujikura Profile:
President and CEO, Universal Music LLC
Vice Chairman, Recording Industry Association of Japan
Chairman and CEO, Office Augusta Co., Ltd.
Born in 1967. Joined Polydor Corporation (now Universal Music LLC) in 1992.
After serving as the head of the PR department and the product management department of the Japanese music label Universal Sigma, he was appointed executive officer in 2008. In 2012, he was appointed vice president and executive officer, overseeing the Japanese music business. He has held his current position since January 2014.
Selected as Billboard International Power Players in 2019 and 2021-24.
