South Korea-headquartered entertainment giant HYBE has restructured its Japanese division, HYBE JAPAN, appointing Kenji Shima to the post of Chief Labels Officer and Jeff Miyahara to Chief Creative Officer.<\/p>\n
The changes are part of the company\u2019s \u2018HYBE 2.0\u2019 strategy<\/a>, unveiled last year, which focuses on its shift to a \u201cmulti-home, multi-genre\u201d approach to its music business. The company has been rapidly expanding beyond its K-pop roots, with a focus on international markets, in particular Japan, the US and Latin America.<\/p>\n Additionally, YX LABELS<\/strong>, HYBE\u2019s recently rebranded<\/a> Japanese labels division, is being realigned, with HYBE JAPAN CEO Hyunrock Han<\/strong> taking on the additional role of Representative Director at YX.<\/span><\/p>\n In his new role as Chief Labels Officer, Shima will oversee all labels under HYBE JAPAN, which is shifting to a multi-label system. A key part of its strategy will be to expand the reach of Japanese artists to international audiences, a project the company refers to as \u201cBeyond Japan.\u201d<\/p>\n “The primary goal of HYBE JAPAN’s labels is to create artists who can succeed globally from Japan,” Shima said in a statement issued on Monday (June 9).<\/p>\n “To achieve this, we will build an integrated ‘solution’ encompassing all elements from creative and marketing to live performances, fan clubs, and e-commerce, thereby comprehensively enhancing artist value. Furthermore, we aim to contribute to the overall enhancement of Japan’s entertainment industry by expanding these HYBE JAPAN solutions to external partners in the future.”<\/p>\n “The primary goal of HYBE JAPAN’s labels is to create artists who can succeed globally from Japan.”<\/p>\n Kenji Shima, HYBE JAPAN<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n As Chief Creative Officer, Miyahara will oversee all creative aspects at HYBE JAPAN.<\/p>\n “HYBE is known for creating unforgettable experiences powered by extraordinary talent. As global eyes turn toward Japan\u2019s rich culture and creativity, I\u2019m honored to help spotlight the next generation of global stars,\u201d Miyahara said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe believe in music\u2014and its power to connect the world.\u201d<\/p>\n Shima brings with him extensive experience in artist management, A&R, marketing, and label operations at numerous music companies, including Sony Music<\/strong>. He established fearless, Inc<\/strong>. in 2017, spearheading artist brand strategies through the development of music, live performances, visuals, fan clubs, and e-commerce.<\/p>\n Miyahara has more than two decades of experience as a music producer, with 700<\/strong> songs for some 330<\/strong> artists under his belt. He has worked with renowned artists in the US, Japan and Korea, among them Girls’ Generation<\/strong>, Miyavi<\/strong>, ONE OK ROCK<\/strong>, BoA<\/strong>, Timbaland<\/strong>, and NCT127<\/strong>. He also brings experience from the entertainment technology field, having launched and exited multiple companies and projects that focus on the fusion of music and tech.<\/p>\n By leveraging Shima and Miyahara\u2019s talents, HYBE JAPAN will focus on \u201cenhancing artist brand value and developing powerful IPs,\u201d the company said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe believe in music\u2014and its power to connect the world.\u201d<\/p>\n Jeff Miyahara, HYBE JAPAN<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n The HYBE 2.0 strategy also includes such moves as opening a new HYBE MUSIC GROUP APAC<\/strong> division to oversee all of the company\u2019s music label businesses based in Korea and Japan, and the reorganization of the three \u201cpillars\u201d of its business, previously encompassing Label, Solution, and Platform, into Music, Platform, and tech-driven future growth initiatives.<\/p>\n A key part of HYBE\u2019s strategy is to adapt its formula for music group creation to the new markets where the company is seeking a foothold. Earlier this week, it touted<\/a> the launch of Pase a la Fama<\/em>, a TV music competition that pits aspiring musicians from Mexico, Spain and Brazil against each other to form three bands.<\/p>\n The company also announced it had selected 300<\/strong> competitors, out of thousands of applicants in Mexico, the US, Brazil and Spain, for a boy band project based in Mexico.<\/p>\n Reality shows and other types of competitions for a spot in a new group are staples of the K-pop industry\u2019s methodology for developing new artists. That methodology centers on structured training and mentorship programs.<\/p>\n In February, HYBE teamed up<\/a> with Grammy Award winner Ryan Tedder<\/strong> to search for and create a new boy group.<\/p>\n