TOKYO (CelebrityAccess) — Indie digital rights agency Merlin has opened a new office in central Japan.
Based in the Ebisu district of Toyko, the company's new offices is being managed by Haji Taniguchi, formerly President of Avex Music Publishing Inc and one of the most experienced executives in the Japanese and Asian music business.
Joining Avex when it was a small independent record company and overseeing its growth to one of Japan’s leading entertainment businesses, Haji has also served as Chair of the MPAJ (Music Publishers Association of Japan), Vice Chair of PROMIC (Foundation for Promotion of Music Industry and Culture) and as Director of ICMP (International Confederation of Music Publishers).
Merlin has also tapped Kaoruko Hillto lead on label and service relations, focusing on establishing relationships with local independents, the company said.
The global market is increasingly important for Japanese artists and a recent survey by Merlin published in June 2016, revealed that 39% of respondents reported earning more than half of ther digital revenues from outside of their home territory.
Merlin already maintains offices in London and New York, with their headquarters in Amsterdam. – Staff Writers
