Katsumi Kuroiwa of Avex on the Bruno Mars Publishing Deal & Taking the Company Worldwide: Billboard Global Power Players Interview
Categoria: Musica
Billboard JAPAN interviewed Kuroiwa about signing Bruno Mars & the prospects of the company’s global music catalog acquisition project.
Por Billboard | 30/06/2026
Billboard’s Billboard Global Power Players list recognizes the leaders that are driving the success of the music business in countries outside the United States. Avex Inc.’s CEO, Katsumi Kuroiwa, was chosen again from the music industry leaders of the world for inclusion in the list. Billboard JAPAN interviewed Kuroiwa upon his selection and talked to him about signing Bruno Mars, the prospects of the company’s global music catalog acquisition project, and the challenges involved in overseas expansion. Related Billboard’s 2026 Global Power Players Revealed The Superstar Brokers are Connecting Global Music Rights to Institutional Capital Jack White's Wife Olivia Jean Files for Divorce After 4 Years of Marriage The announcement of the global music publishing partnership between the Avex Music Group (AMGL) and Bruno Mars made a huge splash. Could you talk a bit about what AMGL does? Katsumi Kuroiwa: Broadly speaking, AMGL’s business consists of label business and music publishing. We knew that to make an impact on the American market, first and foremost, we had to make unique creative content. We started out through the song and publishing business, acquiring rights and building a solid system with a strong local presence. Going forward, AMGL is aiming to serve as a bridge that connects Japanese and other Asian artists with the rest of the world. AMGL’s network is home to many excellent songwriters who have created music for diverse artists, from top class global entertainers like Justin Bieber and Drake to groups on the frontlines of K-pop, like ILLIT or LE SSERAFIM.What’s important is that top creators like these have a hub where they can come together and pool their creative output. It’s because of that environment that our artists, like BE:FIRST, ONE OR EIGHT, or XG, can constantly put out world-class music and create truly new music. It’s not easy for Japanese artists to strike out into overseas markets on their own. That’s why we have local music production sites like the Avex House and Avex Studios. This unique environment is what has given us the foothold that enables us to keep creating collaborative spaces like full-fledged song camps, and to directly bring together the world’s top creators and talent from Japan. If this approach functions successfully, then artists—not just our own, but from other labels, as well—will be able to spread their wings overseas. We’ll be using this unique network, focused on local sites, to further expand our range of activities. So by signing local creators and building your catalog, you’ll also expand the potential of Japanese artists? Kuroiwa: Brandon and Bruno Mars’ manager is a close family friend of mine, and sometime last September we had a meal together in Los Angeles. Bruno loves Japan and Korea. He’s a global superstar, and he’s always overflowing with ambition to take on new challenges and try new things. He’s now signed a globa