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Welcome to Project Asteri
We specialize in crafting top-tier strategies tailored to artists and repertoires, ensuring they achieve optimal results in their endeavors. Whether it's Japanese artists seeking global reach or international artists eyeing expansion in Japan, we serve as a reliable bridge, facilitating increased exposure and growth across borders.
Services
Plan and execute marketing and promotion for artists in the United States, Japan, and Korea.
- Establish initial market presence
- Increase current market presence
- Maximize exposure, opportunities, and sales
THE KIMI KATO SHOW is your gateway to Japanese culture. We invite you to join us each week as we explore the vibrant world of Japanese pop culture and dive into the colorful world of Japan's music, anime, fashion, film, and cuisine. As the Founder of Project Asteri, a boutique music label, Kimi connects artists with global audiences, effortlessly transcending borders and connecting East and West. Don't miss an exciting episode of THE KIMI KATO SHOW - Your invitation to the dynamic world of Japan!
Kimitaka Kato
Kimi Kato is the Founder and CEO of Project Asteri, Inc, a boutique music label service company based in Los Angeles, California. Specializing in comprehensive label services, Project Asteri, Inc. assists independent artists and labels in obtaining distribution and exposure in the United States, Japan and Korea. The company is leading a music export project for Japanese artists in collaboration with the Agency of Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan. Additionally, Kimi is currently the co-host for the weekly radio show “The Kimi Kato Show”. Prior to establishing Project Asteri Inc., (est. Jan 2020) Kimi was a Board member at Universal Music LLC. in Japan, responsible for managing their International division for almost a decade. (Jan 2007 - Dec 2015) 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 (Jan 2008 - June 2016) - managing all areas of A&R, marketing, and promotion to signing, developing, and breaking artists in Japan. He has supported the recording careers of many new and well-established major domestic artists. Kimi also 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.
Leslie Cho has more than 25 year of experience in music and contents business for domestic market in Korea as well as Asia/Global markets. While Warner Music and BMG days where she had focused on the marketing and PR for international acts, she started taking care of both domestic and international business in Universal Music days. Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Ne-Yo and MIKA were among those breaking artists in Korea whom she and her team worked on. She was also responsible for New Business Mapping for K-pop repertoire Business Development in Asia, Europe and North America since 2010. Working for Universal-Cube JV was the biggest project she took the leadership for overseas license and promotion. Beast and 4Minute are the star acts in the JV label. From 2015, she took the Vice President role of Asian repertoire and Business Development, she led the new business opportunities Korea and other Asian artists across regional and global territories. Dean (a R&B male solo artist), Anggun and SME license deal and promotions for Asia were parts of the major projects in this period.As Managing Director at Craft and Jun in 2018, an indie local Artist Management Company (currently it is EMA company), she built up the overseas business, A&R, marketing & PR, as well as team structure development. Currently, she works as a multi consultant in the industry, dealing mainly with business development for growing independent labels in Korea(including EMA), induction service for Korean market to overseas clients and digital license business advisory with Stealthwrks NY.
