Nebula17 has hired Daniel Hong as its chief operating officer. The Los Angeles music firm, led by ex-Avex USA boss Naoki Osada, is ramping up its global plans with a fresh deal involving Sony-owned distributor The Orchard.
Hong brings a lot of K-pop experience. He ran YG USA as CEO and held the COO role at JYP USA. His past work spans major acts such as BLACKPINK, Stray Kids, and GIRLSET, the group once called VCHA.
His new job covers daily business, long-term plans, and the firm's next phase of growth. He will also run its global unit alongside Osada. The idea is to put his K-pop background to work as Japanese acts seek fans far from home.
And Hong sees real room for J-pop abroad. He rates its music, loyal fans, and fresh style, but knows the genre has a path distinct from K-pop. His main interest lies in helping stars from Japan test new ideas and reach people in other markets.
The hiring push goes well past one executive. Martha Blair Reynolds takes a senior marketing role, while René Mark heads digital work. Natalie Walsh joins as A&R director, and Harukaze Wakabayashi takes a senior global post after handling PinkPantheress and Charli xcx campaigns at Warner Music Japan.
Oscar Cornejo is also part of the team as head engineer. His past work spans Tyla, Kanye West, and Willow Smith. Quite a mix of talent in one firm.
The Orchard deal gives artists and music partners in Japan a path to streaming services in the US and other markets. That distributor has an Avex Music Group deal as well, covering future global releases outside Japan, China, and Korea.
Osada set up Nebula17 after a career at Avex that ran for more than 20 years. Its business spans music labels, publishing, artist management, strategy, and venture funding. Former RCA Records executive Rob Inadomi joined as label and A&R president during the firm's early growth.
On the creative front, the Hatsune Miku project BEYOND BORDERs has Nebula17 handling music selection, promotion, and planning. Dwango leads the effort with Japanese state support. Its EMERGE M♡DE MIKU EP brought Vocaloid creators together with Grimes, Odetari, and George Clanton.
BE:FIRST is another act getting help from Nebula17. The firm handles music development for the Japanese boy band's US debut. Its WATCH ME EP hit No. 130 on the Billboard 200 and No. 3 on the World Albums chart, with Flo Milli, BIA, and ATL Jacob among the guests.
Meanwhile, the label has added Hojean, a New York artist with over 260 million streams, Japanese duo XAMIYA, made up of Xansei and Kamiya, and San Diego act Brent de la Cruz. The publishing side has brought in Oh Gosh Leotus, Hydra, and Xansei.
Osada's past Avex deals also show his reach. He helped sign Harv, who worked on Justin Bieber's Peaches, Jasper Harris, linked to Tate McRae's greedy, and GENT!, who worked on Doja Cat's Agora Hills.
For Osada, the goal is to give music makers more ways to work across cultures and find fans abroad. The new staff and distribution deal are part of that plan, with artists and their creative work at the center.
Hong brings a lot of K-pop experience. He ran YG USA as CEO and held the COO role at JYP USA. His past work spans major acts such as BLACKPINK, Stray Kids, and GIRLSET, the group once called VCHA.
His new job covers daily business, long-term plans, and the firm's next phase of growth. He will also run its global unit alongside Osada. The idea is to put his K-pop background to work as Japanese acts seek fans far from home.
And Hong sees real room for J-pop abroad. He rates its music, loyal fans, and fresh style, but knows the genre has a path distinct from K-pop. His main interest lies in helping stars from Japan test new ideas and reach people in other markets.
The hiring push goes well past one executive. Martha Blair Reynolds takes a senior marketing role, while René Mark heads digital work. Natalie Walsh joins as A&R director, and Harukaze Wakabayashi takes a senior global post after handling PinkPantheress and Charli xcx campaigns at Warner Music Japan.
Oscar Cornejo is also part of the team as head engineer. His past work spans Tyla, Kanye West, and Willow Smith. Quite a mix of talent in one firm.
The Orchard deal gives artists and music partners in Japan a path to streaming services in the US and other markets. That distributor has an Avex Music Group deal as well, covering future global releases outside Japan, China, and Korea.
Osada set up Nebula17 after a career at Avex that ran for more than 20 years. Its business spans music labels, publishing, artist management, strategy, and venture funding. Former RCA Records executive Rob Inadomi joined as label and A&R president during the firm's early growth.
On the creative front, the Hatsune Miku project BEYOND BORDERs has Nebula17 handling music selection, promotion, and planning. Dwango leads the effort with Japanese state support. Its EMERGE M♡DE MIKU EP brought Vocaloid creators together with Grimes, Odetari, and George Clanton.
BE:FIRST is another act getting help from Nebula17. The firm handles music development for the Japanese boy band's US debut. Its WATCH ME EP hit No. 130 on the Billboard 200 and No. 3 on the World Albums chart, with Flo Milli, BIA, and ATL Jacob among the guests.
Meanwhile, the label has added Hojean, a New York artist with over 260 million streams, Japanese duo XAMIYA, made up of Xansei and Kamiya, and San Diego act Brent de la Cruz. The publishing side has brought in Oh Gosh Leotus, Hydra, and Xansei.
Osada's past Avex deals also show his reach. He helped sign Harv, who worked on Justin Bieber's Peaches, Jasper Harris, linked to Tate McRae's greedy, and GENT!, who worked on Doja Cat's Agora Hills.
For Osada, the goal is to give music makers more ways to work across cultures and find fans abroad. The new staff and distribution deal are part of that plan, with artists and their creative work at the center.
