[SEM Agency] Commences Strategic Business Alliance with AppBank. Business Collaboration in IP Matching and Cross-Media Development.
SEM Agency has formed a strategic business alliance with AppBank, initiating business collaboration in IP matching and cross-media development. Kozo Inada, President of SEM Agency, has been appointed as AppBank's Executive Vice President to strengthen the collaboration between the two companies.
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- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 24, 2026 at 02:33 (16h 1m after Collected)
SEM Agency Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Kozo Inada; hereinafter "SEM Agency"), a comprehensive internet advertising agency, has concluded a strategic business alliance with AppBank Co., Ltd. (Securities Code: 6177; hereinafter "AppBank"), a company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market that operates media businesses and IP/commerce businesses.
Furthermore, to more strongly promote the collaboration between the two companies accompanying this alliance, we are pleased to announce that Kozo Inada, our Representative Director and President, has been appointed as AppBank's Executive Vice President, effective April 6, 2026.
■ Background and Purpose of the Business Alliance
SEM Agency has supported the business growth of many clients, including those in the financial industry, in the areas of internet advertising operations and web marketing. On the other hand, AppBank has expanded its domain to include "media co-creation business" (including business development with broadcasters), "IP/commerce business," and "AI business," in addition to operating media such as "AppBank.net."
This alliance was formed with the belief that by combining AppBank's strong IP development capabilities and AI technology with our digital marketing expertise, and further integrating the strengths of "PLANA Group," which has a shareholder relationship with AppBank, in the television advertising domain, we can provide innovative marketing solutions that cover both offline and online channels.
■ Main Initiatives in the Business Alliance
Through this alliance, we will jointly develop businesses centered on the following areas:
1. Brokerage of IP Collaboration Matching and Sponsorship Sales
SEM Agency will lead the IP matching and sponsorship acquisition sales activities that connect companies with IPs (characters, creators, etc.) in AppBank's "IP/commerce business."
Furthermore, by leveraging the development capabilities of AppBank's subsidiary, musica lab (goods production support), and its partner, ZAIKO (live event ticket sales), we will provide total support from planning to sponsorship sales, creating new value and monetization opportunities for IPs.
2. Creation of Cross-Media Synergy between TV Advertising and Internet Advertising
We will develop integrated marketing that links television advertising and infomercials, which are the strengths of AppBank's shareholder, PLANA Co., Ltd. (PLANA Group), with SEM Agency's internet advertising. We will provide end-to-end support, from expanding recognition through mass advertising to lead generation and acquisition through internet advertising, bringing powerful synergistic effects to client companies.
Comment from Kozo Inada, Representative Director and President of SEM Agency and Executive Vice President of AppBank:
"I am very pleased to have formed a strong partnership with AppBank and to be able to participate in the management of the company as Executive Vice President. By bringing together AppBank's attractive IP development capabilities and AI technology, PLANA Group's mass advertising know-how, and our digital marketing capabilities, we will provide unprecedented and overwhelming value to our client companies."
■ Company Overview
[SEM Agency Co., Ltd.]
• Representative: Kozo Inada, Representative Director and President
• Location: Osuga Building 6F, 2-11-8 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
• Established: September 2, 2005
• Business Activities: Comprehensive internet agency, consulting business, media operation, influencer marketing, etc.
• URL: https://sem-agency.co.jp/
[AppBank Co., Ltd.] (Listed on Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market / Securities Code: 6177)
・Representative: Mitsuzo Shiraishi, Representative Director and President
• Location: 1-19-10 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
• Business Activities: Media business, IP/commerce business, AI business, etc.
• URL: https://www.appbank.co.jp/
[PLANA Co., Ltd. (PLANA Group)]
・Representative: Masahiro Miyoshi, Representative Director and President
• Location: 4-17-15 Hakataekimae, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka
• Business Activities: Planning, production, and operation of TV advertising, infomercials, etc.
• URL: https://www.plana.co.jp/
Furthermore, to more strongly promote the collaboration between the two companies accompanying this alliance, we are pleased to announce that Kozo Inada, our Representative Director and President, has been appointed as AppBank's Executive Vice President, effective April 6, 2026.
■ Background and Purpose of the Business Alliance
SEM Agency has supported the business growth of many clients, including those in the financial industry, in the areas of internet advertising operations and web marketing. On the other hand, AppBank has expanded its domain to include "media co-creation business" (including business development with broadcasters), "IP/commerce business," and "AI business," in addition to operating media such as "AppBank.net."
This alliance was formed with the belief that by combining AppBank's strong IP development capabilities and AI technology with our digital marketing expertise, and further integrating the strengths of "PLANA Group," which has a shareholder relationship with AppBank, in the television advertising domain, we can provide innovative marketing solutions that cover both offline and online channels.
■ Main Initiatives in the Business Alliance
Through this alliance, we will jointly develop businesses centered on the following areas:
1. Brokerage of IP Collaboration Matching and Sponsorship Sales
SEM Agency will lead the IP matching and sponsorship acquisition sales activities that connect companies with IPs (characters, creators, etc.) in AppBank's "IP/commerce business."
Furthermore, by leveraging the development capabilities of AppBank's subsidiary, musica lab (goods production support), and its partner, ZAIKO (live event ticket sales), we will provide total support from planning to sponsorship sales, creating new value and monetization opportunities for IPs.
2. Creation of Cross-Media Synergy between TV Advertising and Internet Advertising
We will develop integrated marketing that links television advertising and infomercials, which are the strengths of AppBank's shareholder, PLANA Co., Ltd. (PLANA Group), with SEM Agency's internet advertising. We will provide end-to-end support, from expanding recognition through mass advertising to lead generation and acquisition through internet advertising, bringing powerful synergistic effects to client companies.
Comment from Kozo Inada, Representative Director and President of SEM Agency and Executive Vice President of AppBank:
"I am very pleased to have formed a strong partnership with AppBank and to be able to participate in the management of the company as Executive Vice President. By bringing together AppBank's attractive IP development capabilities and AI technology, PLANA Group's mass advertising know-how, and our digital marketing capabilities, we will provide unprecedented and overwhelming value to our client companies."
■ Company Overview
[SEM Agency Co., Ltd.]
• Representative: Kozo Inada, Representative Director and President
• Location: Osuga Building 6F, 2-11-8 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
• Established: September 2, 2005
• Business Activities: Comprehensive internet agency, consulting business, media operation, influencer marketing, etc.
• URL: https://sem-agency.co.jp/
[AppBank Co., Ltd.] (Listed on Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market / Securities Code: 6177)
・Representative: Mitsuzo Shiraishi, Representative Director and President
• Location: 1-19-10 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
• Business Activities: Media business, IP/commerce business, AI business, etc.
• URL: https://www.appbank.co.jp/
[PLANA Co., Ltd. (PLANA Group)]
・Representative: Masahiro Miyoshi, Representative Director and President
• Location: 4-17-15 Hakataekimae, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka
• Business Activities: Planning, production, and operation of TV advertising, infomercials, etc.
• URL: https://www.plana.co.jp/