Avex Inc. facts for kids
Logo used since 2017
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Native name
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エイベックス株式会社
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| Public KK Industrial keiretsu |
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| Genre | Various |
| Founded | April 11, 1988 (as Avex D.D., Inc.)* |
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Japan
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Area served
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East Asia |
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Key people
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| Revenue |  ¥46.3 billion (US$421.87 million) (2021) |
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Operating income
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¥2.6 billion (US$23.69 million) (2021) |
 ¥1.6 billion (US$14.58 million) (2021) |
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Number of employees
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1,455 (as of March 31, 2017) |
| Subsidiaries | see Subsidiaries |
Avex Inc. (pronounced "AY-vex") is a big Japanese entertainment company. It was started in 1988 by Max Matsuura and is based in Tokyo, Japan. Avex helps manage many famous Japanese pop (J-pop) artists, like Ayumi Hamasaki and PikoTaro.
The company also works in other areas. These include anime, video games, and live music events. Avex partners with events like the Ultra Music Festival. It also hosts its own yearly music festival called A-nation. Avex is part of a group of companies called the Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The name AVEX is a short form, or acronym, for Audio Visual EXpert. When the company first started, its full name was Avex D.D., Incorporated. "D.D." stood for "digital distribution."
Ten years later, the name was changed to Avex, Incorporated. In 2004, the company changed its name again to Avex Group Holdings, Incorporated. This new name was used for the main company. The older name, Avex, Incorporated, was then used for the entertainment parts of the group. In 2005, Avex, Incorporated became Avex Entertainment, Incorporated.
Avex History
The Early Years (1988–1999)
Avex was officially registered in 1973. However, it really started its business in 1988. At first, it sold CDs as a wholesaler in Machida, Tokyo. In 1990, Avex opened a recording studio. It also created its first music label, Avex Trax. In the same year, they started a music publishing company called Musique Folio Inc. This company later became Prime Direction Inc.
In 1993, Avex moved its main office to Aoyama, Tokyo. It also opened a branch in the U.S. called AV Experience America Inc. That year, Avex held its first big event. It was called "avex rave '93" and took place in Tokyo Dome. About 50,000 people attended. This success led to the creation of another music label, Cutting Edge.
In 1994, Avex started two companies in the UK. Later that year, they opened a large disco called Velfarre.
In 1997, Avex partnered with Sony Music Entertainment Japan. Together, they opened a series of concert halls called "Zepp". In 1999, Avex made a deal with Walt Disney Records and Hollywood Records. This allowed Avex to release their CDs in Japan. Later that year, Avex Mode, an animation company, was created. In December 1999, Avex shares were listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Growth and Challenges (2000–2009)
In 2001, Avex opened the "avex artists academy." This was a music school for new artists. In 2002, Avex released "CCCDs." These were CDs designed to prevent copying. They also opened their new building in Aoyama.
In 2003, Avex started a classical music business called Avex Classics. In 2004, they began selling Japanese music CDs in South Korea. Later that year, Max Matsuura signed former idol Ami Suzuki to the Avex label.
In 2005, Avex gained the right to distribute music from Aozora Records. This included all future songs by Hitomi Yaida. In 2008, Avex worked with Victor JVC. They created the label D-topia Entertainment. This was a partnership to promote music. Also in 2008, the band Girl Next Door was formed and debuted.
In May 2009, Avex Group launched its own online video service, BeeTV. They did this in partnership with NTT DoCoMo.
A Disagreement Among Leaders (2004)
In August 2004, there was a disagreement between Max Matsuura and co-founder Tom Yoda. Yoda wanted Avex to expand into more entertainment areas, like making movies. He also had concerns about another executive, Ryuhei Chiba.
On July 30, Yoda suggested that Chiba should leave his position. The company's board agreed with Yoda. However, Matsuura, who was close to Chiba, then suggested that Yoda should step down. Matsuura's idea was not supported by the board. The next day, Matsuura and Chiba resigned.
On August 2, Matsuura and Chiba announced their resignations to employees. Matsuura said Avex had lost its focus on music. Many staff members supported them and said they would also quit. A very important artist, Ayumi Hamasaki, also said she would leave. Because of this, Avex's stock prices dropped a lot.
On August 3, due to pressure from employees and artists, Yoda resigned. He was replaced by Toshio Kobayashi. This helped to stabilize the company.
Recent Years (2010–Present)
Avex Group Holdings is listed on stock exchanges in Germany. More K-pop artists from other companies started to sign with Avex. These included SM Entertainment's TVXQ (in 2006) and YG Entertainment's 2NE1 (in 2010). Other groups like SS501 member Kim Hyung Jun, After School, U-KISS, and Shu-I also joined.
On July 21, 2011, Avex announced a partnership with Korean company YG Entertainment. They formed a joint label called YGEX. In 2012, Avex started selling some music releases without copy protection in Japan.
In October 2014, Avex Group moved its main office to Izumi Garden Tower in Roppongi. This move showed the company's focus on being modern. On February 15, 2017, Avex Group stopped exporting Blu-rays, DVDs, and CDs published under their Avex Pictures label to other countries.
In 2022, Avex tried to grow its business in North America. Avex USA Inc. opened in West Hollywood. It is led by Naoki Osada, who has experience in the American music business. Avex USA has partnered with Sony Music Publishing. This partnership helps manage Avex's music outside Japan.
How Avex Works
Subsidiaries
In April 2010, Avex Group changed its structure. It created Avex Music Publishing Inc. as a separate company. This made Avex Group a "pure holding company." This means it mainly owns other companies.
Here are some of Avex's main companies:
Japan
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Other Countries
- Avex International Holding Corporation
- Avex Asia Pte. Ltd.
- Avex Taiwan Inc. (Started in July 1998)
- Avex USA Inc.
Affiliates
These are companies that Avex works closely with:
- Memory-Tech Corporation
- RecoChoku Co., Ltd.
- AWA
Music Labels
Avex has many different music labels for various types of music:
- Avex Casa (house music)
- Avex Classics (classical music)
- Avex Trax (the first label, started in 1990)
- Cutting Edge (another early label, started in 1993)
- Rhythm Zone (started in 1999)
- Xgalx
- Binyl Records (rock music)
- MENT RECORDING (with Johnny & Associates)
- Motorod Records
- nakedrecords
- Idol Street (for Japanese idol performers)
- YGEX (joint label with YG Entertainment)
Entertainment Ventures
Avex is involved in many entertainment areas:
- Movies
- Domestic (Japan): Avex Pictures
- Foreign: Elephant Pictures
- Artist Management
- Avex Management
- Platinum Productions
- Digital
- Avex Broadcasting and Communications (with NTT docomo)
- mu-mo.net (Avex's own music store in Japan)
- Theater Company
- $4.50 Theater Company
Labels Avex Distributes
Avex helps distribute music for many other labels:
- A stAtion (Ayaka's label), since 2012.
- AKS Co., Ltd. (AKB48's agency), since 2006.
- Aozora Records, since 2005.
- Disney Music Group, since 1999.
- Johnny & Associates (in Taiwan and Hong Kong only)
- SM Entertainment, since 2000.
- Toy's Factory (in Taiwan only, since 2012)
- Yamaha Music Communications Inc., since 2006.
Promotional Projects
- Aoyama Christmas Circus (a yearly Christmas tree lighting event)
IFPI Membership
Avex Group is a member of the IFPI. This is a group that represents the music industry in Hong Kong and Japan.
A-Nation Music Festival
Every year since 2002, Avex has held a summer concert tour called "A-Nation." This festival travels around Japan in August. It features many of Avex's most popular artists. Famous acts like Ayumi Hamasaki, Kumi Koda, AAA, Ai Otsuka, BIGBANG, BoA, Do As Infinity, Hitomi, TRF, Every Little Thing, and TVXQ perform for large crowds. In 2008, Namie Amuro performed at A-Nation for the first time.
Many companies help sponsor the A-Nation festival. These include Joe Weider fitness products, Seven & I Holdings Co., NTT DoCoMo, and Mizuno Corp..
International Partners
Avex works with partners in different countries:
- USA – Morgan Rich Corporation/Universal Music Group
- South Korea – S.M. Entertainment, YG Entertainment, KT Music
- Philippines – Universal Records
- Thailand – BEC-TERO Music
- China P.R. – China Record (Shanghai) Corporation
See also
In Spanish: Avex para niños
- List of artists under the Avex Group
- List of record labels
- D.League
- Sony Music Entertainment Japan (one-time shareholder of Avex)
- Velfarre
