TOKYO / SANTA MONICA, December 28, 2016 – Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, today announced a new exclusive strategic partnership between leading Japanese full-service music management company Office Augusta and Universal Music Japan (UMJ), effective January 6, 2017.

Office Augusta, which was established in 1992 by Yoshinobu Morikawa, today represents a roster of some of Japan’s most popular recording artists and songwriters, including Kyoko, Masayoshi Yamazaki, Sukimaswitch and Motohiro Hata, among many others.

Under the terms of the agreement, UMJ will obtain exclusive rights for the entire Office Augusta master recording and publishing catalogues. The relationship, which will significantly enhance the UMJ artist roster, also marks the beginning of a new era of collaboration between the two organizations that will accelerate the evolution UMJ into Japan’s leading full-service music entertainment company, enhancing its capabilities in live music, merchandise and fan clubs.

Office Augusta operates as a full-service music company with three component divisions, including:

  • Office Augusta manages recorded music and master rights for nearly 1800 tracks, artist management for its roster of 19 artists and a live music promotions business that includes the popular Augusta Camp music festival;
  • Augusta Publishing represents the publishing rights more than 1,200 songs, written and composed by its artists; and
  • Seven Dials operates a thriving fan-club and merchandise business for its clients.

In making the announcement, Naoshi Fujikura, President and CEO of Universal Music Japan, said: “We are truly honoured to welcome Office Augusta to UMJ. In partnership with Augusta and its highly talented artists, we look forward to delivering exciting new music and emotive experiences to music fans. I have always had the greatest respect for Mr. Morikawa and Augusta’s artists’ achievements as pioneers within the music industry, and strongly believe this partnership will bring greater prosperity to UMG and the music industry as a whole.”

Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group said: “At UMG, we pride ourselves on our culture of artist development, so we are thrilled to join forces with Office Augusta, whose ambition mirrors our own in creating lasting career development and new commercial opportunities for recording artists and songwriters.  Japan is one of the most important and dynamic music markets in the world, and with Naoshi’s leadership combined with our exciting new partnership with Mr. Morikawa, I’m confident that we will continue to evolve Universal Music Japan into the preeminent home for artists.”

About Universal Music Group:

Universal Music Group (UMG) is the world leader in music-based entertainment, with a broad array of businesses engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising and audiovisual content in more than 60 countries.  Featuring the most comprehensive catalog of recordings and songs across every musical genre, UMG identifies and develops artists and produces and distributes the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful music in the world.  Committed to artistry, innovation and entrepreneurship, UMG fosters the development of services, platforms and business models in order to broaden artistic and commercial opportunities for our artists and create new experiences for fans. Universal Music Group is a Vivendi company. Find out more at: http://www.universalmusic.com.

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