AEG Presents Partners With Japanese Concert Promoter Creativeman

AEG Presents has partnered with the Japanese concert promotion and live events company Creativeman Productions, the company announced on Tuesday (Aug. 11).

Creativeman Productions’ portfolio includes the multi-city music festival Summer Sonic, which features sites in Tokyo and Osaka, as well as Sonicmania, Greenroom Festival, Loud Park and Springroove.

In addition to bringing the companies together to “create new opportunities for artists to connect with audiences throughout Japan, while continuing to elevate the fan experience and support the country’s vibrant live music market,” according to a press release, the partnership effectively expands AEG Presents’ ticketing platform, AXS, within the country.

“Over the past 37 years, Creativeman has grown from a company with just two staff members to become the largest independent music promoter in Asia,” Creativeman Productions CEO Naoki Shimizu said in a statement. “This strategic partnership with AEG Presents will propel our growth as we expand our festivals and artists from Japan to Asia and the rest of the world. The partnership will also connect Summer Sonic with a portfolio of world-class festivals and create a network that joins Coachella in the U.S. and BTS Hyde Park in the U.K., serving as a cornerstone for the music industry’s continued growth.”

Shimizu was recently named one of Billboard’s Global Power Players. Sitting down with Billboard Japan for the feature, Shimizu talked about Summer Sonic’s expansion into Bangkok and his hopes that the festival could someday expand into China.

Shawn Trell, executive vp and COO at AEG Presents, said of the partnership, “Creativeman is an important presence in Japan and across the region. The company’s vision and business strategy align perfectly with ours, and we’re thrilled to be entering into this partnership together. Beyond Creativeman’s thriving concert and festival business, Summer Sonic has become a globally recognized brand on its own. We can’t wait to see what the future brings.”