KASSO FEST SKATE & SOUND Makes Successful US Debut in Long Beach

The Japanese-originated skateboarding TV format 'KASSO FEST SKATE & SOUND' successfully held its first event in Long Beach, USA, on March 21-22, 2026. This initiative represents a major milestone in the global expansion of Japanese-born IP.

The US expansion of this event was led by AIM Entertainment Inc. (AIM). Acting as the strategic architect and overall executor, AIM managed everything from cross-border strategy and partner assembly to execution. By collaborating with top-tier US partners in production, course design, media, and marketing, AIM elevated the popular Japanese format into a live experience optimized for the global market.

AIM’s Core Roles as Executive Producer:
AIM played a central role as the executive producer and lead for the US expansion. Key initiatives included:
- Forming and managing an optimal team of partners across event production, course design, broadcasting, PR/marketing, and sponsorship.
- Acting as a bridge between Japanese and US stakeholders to ensure alignment across creative, business, and execution phases.
- Consistent project management from concept localization to on-ground implementation.
- Optimizing the format for the US market while maintaining the creative DNA from Japan.
- Creating revenue opportunities through collaborations with sponsors, media, and cultural partners.
- Driving an integrated marketing strategy including ticket sales, influencer campaigns, and PR.
Rather than being just a production vendor, AIM served as a horizontal hub connecting the entire project, ensuring seamless team formation and execution.
This project embodies AIM's mission to expand Japanese IP into global markets.

Recognition in Global Media and Large-Scale Digital Reach:
Despite being its first outing, KASSO FEST generated high buzz and cultural impact, drawing attention from major media, creators, and global audiences.
'Event Marketer,' a leading US event industry publication, featured KASSO FEST as a must-watch event of the weekend alongside brands like Sephora, Garnier, and Peloton. 'Vibe Magazine' highlighted the cultural relevance and the performance by LaRussell, while 'Vice Sports' featured the event on Instagram and YouTube, recording over 1.7 million impressions on those platforms alone.
Total impressions for the opening weekend exceeded 9 million, broken down as follows:
- Media coverage: approx. 700,000 impressions
- Owned and partner media: approx. 1.1 million impressions
- Influencers/SNS: approx. 7 million impressions
Notably, posts from 'The Berrics' (approx. 2.9 million impressions) and creators like Johnny Ringer and Britney Loh drove the viral spread, creating a broad ripple effect across the skate, lifestyle, and culture sectors.
These results underscore the strong appeal of the format and its scalability in the global market.

Presenting a New Type of Skate Event for the Global Market:
KASSO is a skateboarding competition format developed in Japan that emphasizes creativity, flow, and entertainment, merging music performances with immersive experiences. Through AIM's executive leadership and cross-border promotion, the format proved to be attractive content in the US market, successfully appealing not only to core skate fans but also to a wider cultural demographic.

Future Outlook: Expansion as a Global Platform:
Following this success, KASSO FEST is moving forward with the development of new partnerships, brand collaborations, and the next event, with an eye toward further regional expansion.
For AIM, this project serves as a flagship case study for the following strategies:
- Utilizing IP beyond traditional video formats.
- Building global franchises through live experiences.
- Creating new revenue opportunities across content, events, and commerce.

About AIM Entertainment:
AIM Entertainment is a production and IP development company based in Los Angeles. Aiming to expand Japanese IP to the global market, the company acts as an executive producer and strategic partner, building teams across production, partnership, and monetization.