Brandon Silverstein, who’s signed on as CEO of the newly minted Avex Music Group. Photo Credit: Hidefumi Hase
Less than one year after investing in S10 Entertainment, Japanese entertainment conglomerate Avex has acquired the company’s publishing division.
Avex (TYO: 7860) disclosed the newer play in a formal release this morning. Last May, the Tokyo-headquartered business finalized (via Avex USA – more here in a moment) a “strategic investment” in S10 Entertainment.
At the time, Avex described S10 Entertainment, founded by Jay-Z’s Roc Nation and Brandon Silverstein, as the “management division” of the overarching S10. The separate S10 Publishing, on the other hand, set sail in 2020 as a JV involving Avex and Silverstein.
Returning to today’s news, then, Avex says it’s acquired the entirety of S10 Music Publishing’s catalog and secured “an additional stake” in S10 Management to boot.
The latter interest means Avex possesses “the largest share in S10 Management alongside Silverstein and Roc Nation,” per the text.
Next, the arrangement has brought with it the official launch of Avex Music Group (AMG), a newly formed entity led by Silverstein and housing S10 Publishing as well as the above-mentioned Avex USA’s assets.
Besides serving as CEO, Silverstein is a partner and equity stakeholder in LA-headquartered AMG, where he’s set to join the board, the companies explained. (At least in the stateside release, Avex didn’t elaborate on the professional status of Avex USA CEO Naoki Osada.)
Avex USA employees are coming aboard AMG, the parties clarified for good measure, with “S10’s existing team and operations” remaining “unchanged.”
“Since forming our strategic partnership with Brandon Silverstein in 2020,” Avex CEO Katsumi Kuroiwa added in part, “we have strengthened our presence in the U.S. market, and now, we are taking that vision to the next level.
“By deepening our commitment and entrusting Brandon to lead our U.S. operations, we are not only expanding our footprint but also positioning Avex as a potent force in the international music landscape,” he continued.
With all that said, the maneuvers don’t extend to (and won’t take Silverstein away from) every component of the main S10.
The distinct S10 Management will “maintain a separate staff and will continue to be led by Silverstein as CEO,” per the text.
Additionally, “Silverstein will continue to own and lead S10 Records, which will remain a completely independent record label,” the companies stressed.
DMN reached out to Roc Nation for further information about its current S10 stake and relationship with Avex, but didn’t immediately receive a response.
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