Warner Music has joined forces with Red Light Management, an independent management company, to unlock new opportunities for Red Light’s artists in Japan, the second-largest music market globally.
The partnership leverages Warner Music Japan’s International Marketing and ADA divisions’ expertise to build a dedicated marketing and label channel for Red Light’s talent, according to a press release on Tuesday (January 9).
The “artist-focused” collaboration also aims to facilitate collaborations between Red Light’s artists and Japan’s top domestic performers.
The first project under this joint venture is the promotion of French-Canadian singer Margaux Sauvé, known as Ghostly Kisses, signed to British label Akira Records. Following her successful Tokyo debut in December, Sauvé’s new album release is slated for early 2024, with more established and emerging artists set to follow.
Ghostly Kisses has nearly 366,000 monthly listeners on Spotify and over 387,000 subscribers on YouTube.
“We’re super excited to partner with Warner Music on this initiative to help our artists with a dynamic new route into Japan,” said James Sandom, Managing Partner, Red Light Management.
“The Japanese market has unique characteristics, a landscape requiring bespoke attention and knowledge of the local music and entertainment sector. Bringing this knowledge together with our artists will help them build fan communities in this special market.”
James Sandom, Red Light Management
“The Japanese market has unique characteristics, a landscape requiring bespoke attention and knowledge of the local music and entertainment sector.
“Bringing this knowledge together with our artists will help them build fan communities in this special market, with the aim of enabling a new generation of artists to find success in Japan.”
Kaz Shimada, Chief Operating Officer, Warner Music Japan, added: “In recent years we have worked hard to help international artists connect with local fans as we transitioned from physical to digital.”
The deal with Red Light Management marks Warner Music’s latest in Japan. In June 2023, Warner Music Japan formed a strategic alliance with creative house LAND, and in 2020, Warner Music’s global independent distribution division ADA expanded into the Japanese market.
“This exciting new partnership is another significant step forward, as we combine our experience promoting some of the biggest global stars in Japan with Red Light Management’s super-talented managers and amazing roster of artists.”
Kaz Shimada, Warner Music Japan
“This exciting new partnership is another significant step forward, as we combine our experience promoting some of the biggest global stars in Japan with Red Light Management’s super-talented managers and amazing roster of artists,” Shimada said.
Founded in 1991 by Coran Capshaw in Charlottesville, VA, Red Light Management has evolved from its roots nurturing Dave Matthews Band into one of the world’s most established artist management companies. Red Light’s services extend across touring, commerce, festivals, licensing, branded entertainment, and artist-driven philanthropy.
Aside from Dave Matthews Band, Red Light’s roster also includes Punctual, Enrique Iglesias, Brittany Howard, Lady A, Lionel Richie, Interpol, ODESZA, Phish, The Strokes, Sabrina Carpenter, Chris Stapleton, and Danny L Harle, among others.
The company also partners with entities like Tyler Brown’s Funfair and Mike Ajayi & Jed Kellett’s AMF, with a number of projects in the pipeline for 2024.
In July 2022, Red Light Management joined a $12 million Series A financing round for social music platform Stationhead.
A few months later, in September 2022, MBW revealed that Firebird Music Holding had acquired a minority stake in Red Light Management.
Music Business Worldwide
