WMG to Help Break Red Light Management Artists in Japan Via New Partnership

Warner Music Japan will help build a marketing and label channel for Red Light artists, who include Phish and Sabrina Carpenter, in the world’s No. 2 music market.

The Warner Music Group

Igor Golovniov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via GI

Warner Music Group and Red Light Management have entered into a strategic partnership designed to help Red Light artists better target the world’s second-biggest music market, Japan.

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Under the pact, Warner Music Japan’s international marketing and ADA divisions will work with Red Light to build a marketing and label channel for Red Light artists. They will also work to foster collaboration between Red Light artists and domestic performers in Japan.

The partnership kicks off with the promotion of Ghostly Kisses, the musical project of French-Canadian singer-songwriter Margaux Sauvé, who is signed to British label Akira Records. She performed for the first time in Tokyo in December ahead of her new album release set for early this year.

Red Light Management’s roster of artists, writers and producers includes Dave Matthews Band, Punctual, Enrique Iglesias, Brittany Howard, Lady A, Lionel Richie, Interpol, ODESZA, Phish, The Strokes, Sabrina Carpenter, Chris Stapleton, Danny L Harle and Lewis Thompson.

James Sandom, managing partner at Red Light Management, said in a statement, “We’re super excited to partner with Warner Music on this initiative to help our artists with a dynamic new route into Japan. 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, COO of 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. 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.”

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