Anara Publishing has joined forces with LA based boutique artist management and record label Project Asteri Inc. to represent their artists for music publishing in the UK.
Project Asteri Inc. is the brainchild of Kimi Kato formally a board member at Universal Music LLC. in Japan, responsible for managing their International division for almost a decade. He was also the Managing Director for Virgin Music, a domestic label consisting of 3 labels – Delicious Deli Records, Virgin Records, and Def Jam Recordings – managing all areas of A&R, marketing, and promotion to signing, developing, and breaking artists in Japan. Kimi successfully launched international artists such as Ariana Grande, Black Eyed Peas, Carley Rae Jepsen, Hoobastank, Jack Johnson, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Sum 41, Taylor Swift, and many more and has worked with many established artists such as Bon Jovi, Bryan Adams, Mariah Carey, and U2, to name but a few.
Subsequently, Kimi joined Avex in 2016 as Corporate Executive, in-line with the launch of Avex International Inc. to build its International businesses overseeing artist signings, content acquisitions, licensing, and distribution in and out of Japan. As Avex’s multi-rights representative in the US, he was responsible for creating business opportunities in Japan for global artists such as Bruno Mars.
Kimi is supported by Nico The Owl (Chief Creative Officer) a Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum music producer, pianist, and engineer. Recent cuts include Cher Lloyd(“MIA”), Lena (“Boundaries”), Sharlene (“Que Hago Contigo”), and Daniel Powter (“Giants”). He has also written and produced the theme songs for X-Men: Dark Phoenix, Fast & The Furious, as well as Gladys Knight’s upcoming single for Coming To America 2.
Project Asteri Inc Founder, Kimi Kato commented “We are very excited to be working with Anara Publishing and the whole team with a passion for music. Together, we will help to maximize opportunities for artists, songwriters, and creators we work with.”
Project Asteri Inc was formed to provide the best strategies for artists and repertoires to achieve optimum results in their activities. From Japanese artists looking to go International or International artists aiming for expansion into Japan.
Their current roster includes B. Howard, Club Beirut, Halia Beamer and Lokana.
Anara Publishing Director, Deborah Smith, commented on the partnership “We’re very excited to be working with Project Asteri and from the beginning it was clear that we all have very a similar ethos. Both Kimi and Nico have such a wealth of experience within the music industry and are developing some incredible talent, so we’re honoured to be part of their songwriters journeys to ensure that they’re collecting their publishing revenues in the UK as well as introduce their music to the vibrant sync community here.”