STARTO ENTERTAINMENT (スタートエンターテインメント) is a new company that will manage and nurture the talent formerly belonging to the renamed Johnny's agency, SMILE-UP.[1]
On December 8, 2023, the renamed Johnny & Associates company SMILE-UP was further divided such that SMILE-UP only handled victim compensation and a new company STARTO ENTERTAINMENT would handle talent and entertainment business.[2] The announcement of the official name new name was made in early December 2023, but the company was technically established on October 17, 2023.
Background[]
The former Johnny's Office (aka Johnny & Associates) had announced its intention to change its name in response to the sex-abuse issue by the late founder, Johnny Kitagawa, and had been soliciting candidates for a new company name from its fan club members since October. More than 140,000 applications were received for this call. Initially the company changed its name to SMILE-UP.
The new company name, "STARTO ENTERTAINMENT", carries the message: "The stars that are present and those that will emerge in the future. We will accompany the individuality and goals of each of them. And from here, we will start a new legend".
Along with the new company name, a new executive team was also announced, with Fukuda Atsushi as CEO and Inohara Yoshihiko as COO. Fukuda has more than 20 years of management experience in the entertainment industry, having served as Vice President of Sony Pictures Entertainment, Inc. and President and Representative Director of Sony Digital Entertainment, Inc.
STARTO ENTERTAINMENT is aiming to be fully operational in April 2024, after the establishment of each organization and the handover of operations. The company will then move to another location in Tokyo in the spring of next year.
References[]
- ↑ 旧ジャニーズ事務所の新会社名は「STARTO ENTERTAINMENT」、代表取締役CEOに福田淳氏 2023年12月8日 14:59
- ↑ the japan times - Johnny’s changes name to Starto Entertainment BY PATRICK ST. MICHEL Dec 8, 2023
External Links[]
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