Universal Music Group (VMG) and Frontier Works Form Strategic Partnership for Digital Music Distribution Aims for Global Expansion

VMG, the partnership business division of Universal Music LLC (headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Hisashi Fujikura; hereafter referred to as “Universal Music”), and Frontier Works Inc. (headquarters: Itabashi-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Masahide Tsuji; hereafter referred to as “Frontier Works”), a Japanese anime-related content production company, have signed a digital distribution agreement aimed at a strategic partnership in music content. In response to the growing global demand for Japanese content, including anime and games, the two companies will strengthen their expansion into the global market.

VMG*1 (known overseas as Virgin Music Group), a subsidiary of Universal Music, provides its partners with a music distribution platform that incorporates a global network and the latest technology incorporating AI with multiple patents. Through this partnership with Frontier Works, which provides a large amount of popular content such as songs related to the popular app game “Ensemble Stars!!”, the two companies aim to expand their business together by leveraging the strengths of both companies.

*1: Virgin Music Label & Artist Services, UD and INGROOVES businesses will be integrated and renamed VMG as the partnership business division from 2024.

The domestic anime industry in Japan has a market size of 2.9277 trillion yen (106.8% compared to the previous year)*2 and has continued to grow even after the COVID-19 pandemic, with the overseas market also reaching a record high of 111.1% compared to the previous year in 2022. Anime is also extremely popular overseas, and both companies believe that anime music is also a content with great potential to gain overseas fans.

*2: “Anime Industry Report 2023” by the Association of Japanese Animations

VMG will deploy a dedicated VMG team with the know-how and experience of making Universal Music artists hits both in Japan and overseas, based on a digital distribution system that is unique to the company, including VMG’s AI technology-based dashboard “Trend” that predicts hits, and AI-based advertising tool “Smart Audience” to effectively engage fans and increase streaming numbers. VMG has a team of approximately 500 music professionals operating around the world, and will provide global support to Frontier Works to maximize the appeal of their content.

As the first step, we began distributing “Ensemble Stars!!” related songs to various music distribution services from Sunday, May 26, 2024.

Frontier Works Inc. President and CEO Masahide Tsuji

“Frontier Works’ mission is to enrich people’s hearts and bring them closer together through our products, services, and our works. We are confident that VMG’s new technology system and music business know-how will help us develop more satisfying content that will allow even more customers to enjoy our music content.”

Universal Music LLC Senior Executive Officer Ichiro Tamaki

“The music content derived from Frontier Works’ anime and games has great potential, and it is VMG’s mission to deliver this appeal to fans in Japan and overseas. We are pleased to be able to utilize VMG’s global network to provide overseas fans with the latest technology and Universal Music’s accumulated know-how in the music business. We are very much looking forward to working with Frontier Works in expanding Japan-based content overseas.”

Frontier Works Inc.

Frontier Works’ mission is to “enrich people’s hearts and bring them closer together through our works and services.” We are involved in events such as TV and theatrical anime, stage productions, and 3DCG live shows.

We plan, produce, and sell games, music, audio dramas, books, magazines, merchandise, etc. We also engage in copyright management and other businesses.

We are also a part of the Animate Group, which contributes to society by delivering the wonderful works created by creators to fans around the world so that they can enjoy them, thereby playing a part in the cycle that leads to the creation of even more amazing works.

Business: DVDs, CDs, books, magazines, radio, goods, games

Event and musical planning, production, sales, film distribution

Address: 4F & 5F Higashi-Ikebukuro Central Place, 22-17 Higashi-Ikebukuro 3-chome, Toshima-ku, Tokyo

Representative: Masahide Tsuji

Established: August 2002

Official site:https://www.fwinc.co.jp/

Official X account: @frontier_workshttps://twitter.com/frontier_works

Official YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjmvcdZFiJQkZ8R9_IEAefg

Official Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/frontierworksglobal

Universal Music LLC

Universal Music Group fosters culture through the power of art.

With music at its core, the company is a global leader in the entertainment industry, and engages in a wide range of businesses including music production, music publishing, merchandising and video content.

We offer the most comprehensive lineup of music across all genres, discover and develop artists, and deliver numerous hits that are highly acclaimed around the world.

With a focus on artistry, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit, we are committed to developing services, platforms and new business models that enhance the value of artists and provide new experiences for music fans.

Universal Music LLC is the Japanese subsidiary of the Universal Music Group.

Universal Music Group www.universalmusic.com

Universal Music LLC https://www.universal-music.co.jp/

VMG https://www.universal-music.co.jp/other/vmg/