COLOTEK Two-Time Grand Prix Winner, Visionary Creator Toshiki Aoki, Appointed CCO and Producer at Nippon Columbia Group!

Nippon Columbia Group Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Shunsuke Sato; hereinafter "NCG") is pleased to announce that Toshiki Aoki (AoKi¹⁰⁴), a visionary video creator, will be appointed as NCG's Chief Creative Officer (CCO) and Producer for the AI-specialized label "NCG ENTERTAINMENT™", effective April 1, 2026.

■Background of Appointment

Mr. Aoki has independently pursued his activities as a freelance creator without belonging to any specific organization. He specializes in cutting-edge video production utilizing generative AI, and has achieved overwhelming success in numerous awards, including winning the Grand Prix twice at NCG's AI creative contest "COLOTEK", and the Grand Prize at the Osaka AI Culture Expo AI EXPO 2026. His creative prowess is highly acclaimed from various quarters.

This time, Mr. Aoki's exceptional creative insights and production skills will be integrated into our business, leading to his participation in NCG. Moving forward, as CCO, he will oversee NCG's overall creative direction, and as Producer for "NCG ENTERTAINMENT™", he will lead the creation of new entertainment expressions co-created by humans and AI. Furthermore, he will strongly promote the expansion of "COLOTEK", an AI creative contest that discovers new talents contributing to next-generation creation, and "COLOWORKS", a practical co-creation project connecting AI creators with companies, thereby accelerating NCG's multifaceted growth as a next-generation creative production company.

■Comment from Toshiki Aoki

Having never belonged to a company and having navigated the rough seas of the industry as a freelancer for over 20 years, I never dreamed I would be entrusted with such a significant role as CCO (sweats). Precisely because of this, I believe I can bring about transformations unconstrained by organizational norms. My goal is not a world where AI replaces creators, but one where AI breaks through the limits of expression. With the conviction that "AI is a wing," NCG will build a stage where next-generation creators can thrive, leading innovative entertainment originating from Japan.

■Comment from Shunsuke Sato, Representative Director and President CEO, Nippon Columbia Group Co., Ltd.

I feel very encouraged that Mr. Aoki, who won two Grand Prix at the AI creative contest "COLOTEK", will be joining our company as CCO. While AI is rapidly democratizing the creative world, producing "authentic" works that move people's hearts requires exceptional production skills and team-building capabilities. Mr. Aoki has a proven track record of creating numerous wonderful works with many partners, making him an indispensable presence for NCG ENTERTAINMENT. He will also be a strong support for those aspiring to become AI artists. Please look forward to future developments.

■Toshiki Aoki (AoKi¹⁰⁴) Profile: AI Video Director / Creator

No prior corporate employment.

A video creator who has remained freelance at the forefront of the TV and advertising industries.

He possesses hands-on production skills ranging from direction, editing, compositing, to 3DCG, pioneering the cutting edge of expression.

He leverages his production capabilities and the latest AI to excel in various creative fields.

【Activities】

• VIDEO SALON Special Feature "Accelerating Generative AI" Webinar Lecturer
• AIBB Tokyo 2025 Winter Official Speaker
• HISTORICA (Kyoto Historica International Film Festival Executive Committee) Speaker
• InterFM897 FUTURE ICONS Appearance as an emerging artist leading the next generation
• NUA Nagoya University Special Lecturer

【Production Achievements】

• Participated as one of 14 directors in TYO's "TOKYO STORIES"
• NGO HOPE International 25th Anniversary Video
• Participated in Inter BEE Exhibition "NFT2026_SS_Nature Meets Innovation"
• EXPO2025 Kansai/Osaka Expo KIDS EXPO U-18 Opening Video
• Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology-sponsored (General Incorporated Association) Education AI Utilization Association Education AI Summit Opening Video

【Awards】

• 2026.02.22 Nippon Columbia-sponsored Generative AI Creative COLOTEK Grand Prize
• 2026.01.24 Osaka AI Culture Expo AI EXPO 2026 Grand Prize
• 2025.10.31 VGT2025 Motion Award Finalist
• 2025.09.14 Nippon Columbia-sponsored Generative AI Creative COLOTEK Grand Prize
• 2025.07.04 IVS2025 NEOCREA AI Creative Contest Runner-up Grand Prix
• 2025.04.28 Runway Gen:48 Finalist

■About "NCG ENTERTAINMENT™"　https://ncg-entertainment.com/　

"NCG ENTERTAINMENT™" is a new entertainment label operated by NCG, with a global perspective, specialized for AI creators and artists. It supports creators in various fields utilizing AI technology, comprehensively assisting them from work announcement to distribution, promotion, karaoke deployment, and physical release. It will operate as a hub for creation and challenge in an era where humans and AI co-create entertainment.

■About "COLOWORKS"

"COLOWORKS" is a practical co-creation project for production cases, newly launched within the "COLOTEK" community. While "COLOTEK" is a contest (a place for learning and exchange), "COLOWORKS" provides concrete production cases (a place for work and practice). It creates a cycle where artists and companies seeking new expressions utilizing AI co-create on equal terms with AI creators belonging to the community, giving birth to new music and video expressions. Furthermore, in the future, it plans to sequentially expand to include projects for other artists and corporate clients, developing into a foundation that supports AI creative production in many creative industries, not limited to the music industry.

■About Nippon Columbia Group Co., Ltd.

Nippon Columbia Group Co., Ltd. (NCG) is a next-generation creative production company with AI at its core. Inheriting the DNA of Nippon Columbia Co., Ltd., Japan's first record company, and Faith Co., Ltd., which created the world's first ringtone, NCG leads innovation in music and technology. Through AI-driven IP creation, creator ecosystem building, and AX promotion, NCG delivers new entertainment that shakes "the present" to society.

Company Name: Nippon Columbia Group Co., Ltd.

Location: Jingumae M-SQUARE, 1-4-16 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Representative: Shunsuke Sato, Representative Director and President

Business Activities: Development of AI-centric content distribution platforms and construction of business models

Capital: 358,123,550 JPY

URL: https://www.columbia.co.jp