ENGLISH-LANGUAGE WEBSITE FEATURES ORIGINAL CONTENT, LIVE PERFORMANCES, ARTISTS PROFILES, MUSIC VIDEOS, NEWS AND EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS WITH THE PERSONALITIES SHAPING J-CULTURE
CREATED IN COLLABORATION WITH DENTSU INC., CHARTER ADVERTISERS INCLUDE INTEL AND DAIICHIKOSHO
Tweet this: @mtv_81 launches to bring #Jpop and #J-Culture to a global audience
Tokyo/Singapore/London/New York, 12 December 2012 – Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN), a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB) today announced the international launch of MTV 81 (www.mtv81.com), an English-language advertiser-supported digital platform designed to showcase Japanese artists and pop culture to international audiences.
MTV 81 – with ’81’ referencing the international calling code for Japan – offers original content including live performances, artist profiles, news and interviews with those shaping Japanese pop culture and trends. Targeting 18-34 year olds worldwide, MTV 81 will leverage MTV Japan’s connection to music, fashion and pop culture whilst offering an internationally focused insiders point of view on what is shaping the pop culture landscape in Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima and other cultural hot spots.
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To celebrate the official launch, MTV 81 will feature an exclusive interview with Isao Tomita, the 80 year-old composer considered to be the father of Japanese electronic music. Tomita’s latest work, “Symphony Ihatov,” debuted this month at Tokyo Opera City and featured Hatsune Miku, the immensely popular computer-generated avatar from Yamaha’s singing-synthesizer software program, Vocaloid 2. Hatsune Miku performed alongside the 300-member Japan Philharmonic Orchestra at the sold-out concert, and Tomita talks to MTV 81 about staging his latest work, using the latest music technology in an orchestral environment, and how the world of author Kenji Miyazawa inspired the symphony.
Ji Hee Nam, Vice President of Digital for Viacom International Media Networks Asia said, “MTV 81 was designed to provide a curated connection to Japanese pop culture for audiences all over the world. MTV’s insights and editorial expertise can cast a bright spotlight on the artists and influencers who are shaping the Japanese pop culture landscape and take it out to a wider, global audience.” Nam continued, “2012 has been a watershed year for Asian music, and Japan has often been cited as a hotbed for creative inspiration. We see MTV 81 as a way for Japanese artists to develop a stronger and more passionate global following and broaden their international fan base.”
MTV 81 was created in collaboration and partnership with Dentsu Inc., the largest advertising agency in Japan. With a broad client portfolio of some of Japan’s biggest brands, Dentsu Inc.’s investment in MTV 81 and the production of original content creates opportunities for advertisers seeking to connect with international audiences. MTV 81 launches with advertising support from Intel and Daiichikosho.
“We are very proud to be collaborating and partnering with Denstu, Inc. on MTV 81, as they share our vision of taking Japanese artists to a wider, global audience,” said Akinori Makino, Vice President of Advertising Sales and Digital Media, Viacom International Media Networks Japan. “We both see MTV 81 evolving into a international brand that offers consumers around the world unique access to Japanese pop culture, and I look forward to working with Dentsu Inc. and their clients on the many opportunities MTV 81 presents.”
The editorial team for MTV 81 is lead by music journalist and editor Mark Jarnes. The pool of contributors comprises of music writers, bloggers, label executives and editors at some of Japan’s leading English-language publications including The Japan Times and Time Out Tokyo. MTV 81 original productions are supported through a partnership with 2.5D, the Shibuya-based digital production and studio facility. 2.5D will work with the MTV 81 editorial team to produce artist and performance specials such as MTV 81’s beta-phase launch event featuring performances from Miyavi and FPM.
MTV 81 content offers J-culture fans current and timely insight from the world of Japanese pop culture. Content produced during the beta phase and currently live on the site includes:
- A look at the movers and shakers of J-Music in 2012
- Five J-Music Scenes Not to be Missed
- The Three Corners of Modern J-Culture: Anime
- An exclusive interview with Miila and The Geeks
- Highlights from a live performance by The Novembers at the Liquid Room in Tokyo
About Viacom International Media Networks
Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN), a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), is comprised of many of the world’s most popular multimedia entertainment brands, including MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET, Paramount Channel, VH1, VIVA, COLORS, Game One and Tr3s: MTV, Música y Más. Viacom brands are seen globally in more than 600 million households in 170 territories and 37 languages via more than 200 locally programmed and operated TV channels and more than 550 digital media and mobile TV properties. For more information about Viacom and its businesses, visit http://www.viacom.com. Keep up with Viacom news by following Viacom’s blog at blog.viacom.com and Twitter feed at http://www.twitter.com/Viacom
For more information, please contact:
Todd Phillips
Viacom International Media Networks
todd.phillips@vimn.com
M +61 410 992 480
Masami Minemura
MTV Japan and MTV 81
PR@vimn.com
P: +81 3 6434 3467