Bandai Namco Group and Udo Artists, Inc. Form Strategic Partnership to Invigorate Live Events and Music Business Through Synergy
Key facts
- Bandai Namco Group and Udo Artists, Inc. Form Strategic Partnership to Invigorate Live Events and Music Business Through Synergy
- Bandai Namco Music Live has acquired a 35% stake in Udo Artists, Inc., forming a strategic partnership between the two companies. By integrating the IP Axis Strategy and concert planning capabilities, they aim to strengthen and accelerate the music business both in Japan and globally.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: May 14, 2026
Direct answer
Bandai Namco Music Live has acquired a 35% stake in Udo Artists, Inc., forming a strategic partnership between the two companies. By integrating the IP Axis Strategy and concert planning capabilities, they aim to strengthen and accelerate the music business both in Japan and globally.
- Citation
- Bandai Namco Group and Udo Artists, Inc. Form Strategic Partnership to Invigorate Live Events and Music Business Through Synergy (May 14, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- May 14, 2026
Bandai Namco Music Live has acquired a 35% stake in Udo Artists, Inc., forming a strategic partnership between the two companies. By integrating the IP Axis Strategy and concert planning capabilities, they aim to strengthen and accelerate the music business both in Japan and globally.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 14, 2026 at 00:35
- 🔍 Collected: May 13, 2026 at 16:02
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 13, 2026 at 19:56 (3h 54m after Collected)
Bandai Namco Holdings Inc. (HQ: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Yuju Asako) announces that its subsidiary, Bandai Namco Music Live Inc. (HQ: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Makoto Asanuma; hereinafter 'BNML'), has acquired a 35% stake in Udo Artists, Inc. (HQ: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Keisuke Endo; hereinafter 'UDO'), a subsidiary of Udo Holdings Inc. (HQ: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Atsuko Osaki), to form a strategic partnership.
This strategic partnership will leverage the strengths of the Bandai Namco Group's 'IP Axis Strategy*' and UDO's expertise in concert planning and management to strengthen domestic and international live events and music businesses originating from visual and music content, and to accelerate the global expansion of the music business.
(Photo: Nobuhiko Momoi, Executive Vice President, Group Strategy Officer (CW360), Bandai Namco Holdings Inc. (right); Makoto Asanuma, President & CEO, Bandai Namco Music Live Inc. (left); Keisuke Endo, President, Udo Artists, Inc. (center))
In recent years, music has become a crucial area for sustainably expanding IP value in the entertainment market, being developed multi-dimensionally through not only music distribution but also live events, video streaming, SNS, and merchandising. BNML has been developing businesses such as planning and producing music content and live events based on visual and music content, leveraging its strength in IP production across artists, music, and visuals. Meanwhile, UDO, Japan's first rock promoter, has established its position in the industry with numerous achievements in planning and managing concerts for not only domestic artists but also international artists visiting Japan.
Through this strategic partnership, by combining the strengths of BNML in the music business and IP creation/expansion with UDO's planning, production, and overseas development know-how, we aim to create synergies in live events and the music business and to promote new initiatives.
*IP Axis Strategy: A strategy to maximize the value of IP (intellectual property such as characters) by leveraging its worldview and characteristics to provide the most suitable products and services at the optimal timing and in the most appropriate regions.
■ Comments from Each Company
Nobuhiko Momoi, Executive Vice President, Group Strategy Officer (CW360), Bandai Namco Holdings Inc.
'We are delighted to form a partnership with 'UDO of Rock,' which has a long history and numerous achievements, and has continued to create era-defining topics. Our organization, CW360, which stands for Connect with 360 (connecting with fans in all 360 degrees), aims to explore new frontiers with all stakeholders and is promoting strategies including investments. Our group will reorganize its visual and music business from April 2026 and has launched 'project RESONANCE' to strengthen and accelerate the music business across the group in collaboration with CW360. Through this strategic partnership, running alongside this project, we aim to deliver smiles and energy to fans around the world through Bandai Namco's unique live events and music business.'
Makoto Asanuma, President & CEO, Bandai Namco Music Live Inc.
'With respect for the brilliant history and achievements that Udo Artists, Inc. has built, I am very pleased to have formed this strategic partnership. Through this collaboration, the long-cultivated knowledge, know-how, and global network of Bandai Namco Music Live and Udo Artists, Inc. will merge, enabling us to maximize the value and appeal of artists and IPs for fans around the world. In the future, both companies will aim for new value creation and deliver more attractive live experiences to fans.'
Keisuke Endo, President, Udo Artists, Inc.
'For over 60 years since our founding by Seijiro Udo, we at Udo Artists, Inc. have walked an independent path. The entertainment industry is now undergoing a major transformation. To evolve further in this turbulent era, we have made a significant decision. From now on, together with the Bandai Namco Group, we will absorb their extensive knowledge to the fullest and aim for further growth. Please look forward to our challenge of transforming into a more attractive company for our customers and the staff who walk with us.'
■ Company Profile
Bandai Namco Holdings Inc.
Head Office: 5-37-8 Shiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo
This strategic partnership will leverage the strengths of the Bandai Namco Group's 'IP Axis Strategy*' and UDO's expertise in concert planning and management to strengthen domestic and international live events and music businesses originating from visual and music content, and to accelerate the global expansion of the music business.
(Photo: Nobuhiko Momoi, Executive Vice President, Group Strategy Officer (CW360), Bandai Namco Holdings Inc. (right); Makoto Asanuma, President & CEO, Bandai Namco Music Live Inc. (left); Keisuke Endo, President, Udo Artists, Inc. (center))
In recent years, music has become a crucial area for sustainably expanding IP value in the entertainment market, being developed multi-dimensionally through not only music distribution but also live events, video streaming, SNS, and merchandising. BNML has been developing businesses such as planning and producing music content and live events based on visual and music content, leveraging its strength in IP production across artists, music, and visuals. Meanwhile, UDO, Japan's first rock promoter, has established its position in the industry with numerous achievements in planning and managing concerts for not only domestic artists but also international artists visiting Japan.
Through this strategic partnership, by combining the strengths of BNML in the music business and IP creation/expansion with UDO's planning, production, and overseas development know-how, we aim to create synergies in live events and the music business and to promote new initiatives.
*IP Axis Strategy: A strategy to maximize the value of IP (intellectual property such as characters) by leveraging its worldview and characteristics to provide the most suitable products and services at the optimal timing and in the most appropriate regions.
■ Comments from Each Company
Nobuhiko Momoi, Executive Vice President, Group Strategy Officer (CW360), Bandai Namco Holdings Inc.
'We are delighted to form a partnership with 'UDO of Rock,' which has a long history and numerous achievements, and has continued to create era-defining topics. Our organization, CW360, which stands for Connect with 360 (connecting with fans in all 360 degrees), aims to explore new frontiers with all stakeholders and is promoting strategies including investments. Our group will reorganize its visual and music business from April 2026 and has launched 'project RESONANCE' to strengthen and accelerate the music business across the group in collaboration with CW360. Through this strategic partnership, running alongside this project, we aim to deliver smiles and energy to fans around the world through Bandai Namco's unique live events and music business.'
Makoto Asanuma, President & CEO, Bandai Namco Music Live Inc.
'With respect for the brilliant history and achievements that Udo Artists, Inc. has built, I am very pleased to have formed this strategic partnership. Through this collaboration, the long-cultivated knowledge, know-how, and global network of Bandai Namco Music Live and Udo Artists, Inc. will merge, enabling us to maximize the value and appeal of artists and IPs for fans around the world. In the future, both companies will aim for new value creation and deliver more attractive live experiences to fans.'
Keisuke Endo, President, Udo Artists, Inc.
'For over 60 years since our founding by Seijiro Udo, we at Udo Artists, Inc. have walked an independent path. The entertainment industry is now undergoing a major transformation. To evolve further in this turbulent era, we have made a significant decision. From now on, together with the Bandai Namco Group, we will absorb their extensive knowledge to the fullest and aim for further growth. Please look forward to our challenge of transforming into a more attractive company for our customers and the staff who walk with us.'
■ Company Profile
Bandai Namco Holdings Inc.
Head Office: 5-37-8 Shiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo
FAQ
What are the key facts in this article?
Bandai Namco Music Live has acquired a 35% stake in Udo Artists, Inc., forming a strategic partnership between the two companies. By integrating the IP Axis Strategy and concert planning capabilities, they aim to strengthen and accelerate the music business both in Japan and globally.
What is the direct answer?
Bandai Namco Music Live has acquired a 35% stake in Udo Artists, Inc., forming a strategic partnership between the two companies. By integrating the IP Axis Strategy and concert planning capabilities, they aim to strengthen and accelerate the music business both in Japan and globally.
What is the source and date?
PR Times: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000015.000129603.html | May 14, 2026