SAN FRANCISCO (Hypebot) – Digital distributor IODA is partnering with BounDEE, Japan's largest distributor of independent music, to bring it's catalog to more than 200 online music and mobile stores including giant Label Mobile, as well as, access to physical distribution. IODA will represent BounDEE's independent artists and labels worldwide.
Mobile delivery makes up 91% of the digital music market in Japan according to the IFPI. The partnership with BounDEE expands IODA's reach in Japan, which currently includes relationships with several Japanese digital retailers including iTunes Japan. On the content side, IODA currently represents hundreds of Japanese independent labels as well as Japanese major labels such as Pony Canyon and Victor Entertainment to distribute select releases internationally.
"Music fans in Japan are passionate about music discovery and are hungry for increased exposure to independent artists from around the world," said Hideaki Shimizu, CEO of BounDEE. "We look forward to leveraging the strength of IODA's music catalog to expose Japanese fans to more variety. Our relationships in the mobile market will also help IODA's labels get access to the number one way digital music is consumed in Japan."
"BounDEE's intimate knowledge of the mobile music market in Japan, and its strong partnerships in the mobile arena will be a powerful asset to our labels. With mobile companies dominating the digital music business in Japan, this is a critical partnership for us, and we expect it to open the market up for our rightsholders," said Kevin Arnold, CEO and founder of IODA. "After seeing the mobile success of Chairlift we are even more excited about the opportunities our partnership with BounDEE will create for our clients. Just as importantly, we see the potential to impact the global independent music scene by bringing the cutting-edge music coming out of Japan to a worldwide audience."
