Virgin Music Group Forms Strategic Digital Distribution Partnership with Frontier Works for Global Anime Music Expansion
(TOKYO, 10 July 2024) – Virgin Music Group (VMG), a global division of Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment and leading partner to independent artists, labels and entrepreneurs, today announced a strategic relationship with Frontier Works, a leading Japanese animation related content production company, to release Anime music projects. In response to the growing global demand for Japanese culture and content, including animation and gaming, this new agreement will strengthen Frontier Works presence worldwide.
VMG will support Frontier Works, and its catalog of music related to its popular games, which includes popular titles like “Ensemble Stars!!,” with access to VMG’s innovative music distribution and marketing platform, powered by patented AI technology, and an interconnected global team of music experts to support their releases around the world.
The Japanese domestic animation industry reached a market size of $20.57 billion USD/2,927 billion yen (106.8% of the previous year), according to the “Anime Industry Report 2023” published by the Association of Japanese Animations, and has continued to grow dynamically since the spread of COVID-19. Anime revenue from outside Japan also achieved record high growth in 2022, Up 111.1% yoy). The two companies believe that anime music has great potential to attract fans around the world and will work closely together to create projects that will captivate and engage fans of the genre.
VMG operates globally, with a network of music professionals that will provide support to maximize Frontier Works’ music content and future releases. Utilizing VMG’s innovative digital distribution system, including its powerful “Trends Now” AI-driven music marketing technology that filters streaming data on artists and songs to create dynamic and actionable insights and “Smart Audience,” VMG’s proprietary advertising platform which utilizes ethical AI to increase fan engagement and help drive streaming consumption, as well as a dedicated global team with the capability and experience of making hits both domestically in Japan and oversees, VMG will provide support to Frontier Works, as a strategic global partner as they further expand their business around the world.
Masahide Tsuji, President, Frontier Works Inc.
“Frontier Works’ mission is to enrich the hearts and minds of people around the world through our works and services, and to bring people closer together. We are encouraged that VMG’s new technologies and the power of its expertise in the music business will help us develop highly satisfying content that will be enjoyed by an even greater number of customers.”
Ichiro Tamaki, Senior Executive Officer, Universal Music Japan
“Frontier Works’ music content derived from anime and games has tremendous potential to reach a very engaged audience, and it is VMG’s mission to deliver to fans in Japan and overseas. We are delighted to be able to leverage VMG’s global network and utilize our unique technology tools to best reach anime fans overseas. We look forward to working with Frontier Works to further expand the reach of Japanese-originated anime culture and music.”
Nat Pastor, Co-CEO, Virgin Music Group
“Frontier Works has an incredible roster of anime related entertainment that is full of great music that, now more than ever, can resonate with new audiences all over the world. It is our honor and pleasure to partner with Frontier Works, a premier player in anime-related content. Together, we hope to celebrate the music of anime content by expanding their global reach and introducing this powerful genre of music to fans in new markets outside of Japan.”
Masaya Inokuchi, Managing Director, JP Virgin Music Group
“Virgin Music Group’s mission is to support artists who wish to make their mark both domestically and internationally. A partnership with a partner with such unique and amazing content as Frontier Works has unlimited possibilities for both parties. I am very much looking forward to bringing Frontier Works’ artists and music to people around the world from a variety of angles in the future.”
About Virgin Music Group
Virgin Music Group is the world’s leading partner to independent music companies and artists who require a standalone team with global infrastructure and local expertise in every major music market around the world. Virgin Music Group offers compelling, efficient, and highly flexible global solutions with the most advanced marketing technology available for independent record labels, artists and entrepreneurs who want to succeed. www.virginmusic.com
About Frontier Works Inc.
Frontier Works is a company committed to enrich the hearts and minds of people around the world and bring them closer together through our works and services, and spanning a broad range of activities including planning, production, sales, and film distribution for TV and theatrical anime, stage productions, 3DCG live performances, games, music, books, merchandise, radio, and various events.
Also, Frontier Works is a member of the “animate GROUP”, which contributes to society by delivering fantastic works by talented creators to fans around the world, playing a part in the cycle that encourages the creation of even more fantastic works.
Our Business: planning, production, sales, and film distribution for DVDs, CDs, books, radio, merchandise, games, events, and musicals.
Location: 4F & 5F, Higashi-Ikebukuro Central Place, 3-22-17 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo
President: Masahide Tsuji
Founded: August 2002
Official website: https://www.fwinc.co.jp/
Official X: @frontier_works https://twitter.com/frontier_works
Official YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@FRONTIERWORKS
Official Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/frontierworksglobal