Ellie Shibata

Profile

• Born in Tokyo, Japan
• ASIJ(American School In Japan) Alumni 1966
• University of Luzern （Switzerland） / St. Martin's School of Art, London, England
• Faculty of Liberal Arts, Sophia University （Japan）
• Filmmaking, New York Film Academy（～2002）
• Director of Japan-Taiwan Culture Association

Writings: Cerca mi （Locomotion Publishing）, MacArthur's Love child.

Ellie was raised in a multicultural environment, and having found a talent for language, added to her native Japanese and English, proficiency in Italian, German, Cantonese, Spanish, and Korean. After graduation, she worked for Warner Japan for a time, and then moved to England to join Island Records. Ellie was the first Japanese female PR agent for various British rock groups, including Led Zeppelin. After returning to Japan she worked for the international division of CBS Sony, followed by Polystar. She was seconded to Kyodo Tokyo Inc., where she was in charge of promoting Shinji Tanimura’s Subaru in foreign markets, as well as handling the Asian tours of idol singers. She is also known for starting the first Hanryu boom after discovering Cho Yong-Pil, and promoting his hit song Come Back to Pusan Harbor throughout Japan.

At Polystar, Ellie was in charge of handling U2, and she became close to them both in her business and private lives. She established Ellie Shibata Management (currently known as Office Mullen Co., Ltd.), from which she managed the Japan activities of one of Asia’s all time favorite songstresses, Faye Wong. Eyes on Me , the ending song to Final Fantasy VIII was #1 on Oricon’s Western Music best seller chart for 19 straight weeks, and won the “Best Asian Music of Japan” award in 1999. Ellie Shibata Management executed successfully Faye Wong’s concert in Nippon Budokan, a first for a Chinese singer, as well as supported Faye Wong’s acting career, landing her the leading role in “Usokoi” alongside Kiichi Nakai and Yukie Nakama. Ellie is the first in the industry to open the doors of Japan to Asian artists. Ellie subsequently found Rain in Korea who had just debuted, and then coordinated his debut in Japan, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Concurrently, she supported Japanese debut in Japan, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Concurrently, she supported Japanese artists’ expansion in Europe and Asia.

Presently, Ellie is active in new artist development, her role as producer, casting for Hollywood and Hong Kong movies, discussing movie projects with her close friend, director Wong Kar-Wai; and her writings.

Yuka Takatani

Profile

• Born in Tokyo, Japan
• Faculty of Arts and Letters, Seijo University
• Junior high and high school Teacher’s certificate, Class 1
• MOT
• Event Producer, Emcee

Yuka learned business management from high school and produced events and in the fields of product planning and development.

While in college, she planned many events in varied venues from small clubs to the Nippon Budokan, and played as an active part as a producer. After graduation, she established Office Mullen Co., Ltd. She brought her managing skills into full play and was chosen as one of “The 50 Successful Women Managers.” In 2003, she founded CROSSONE Co., Ltd. and created numerous successful business models as a total producer of artists. Moreover, as a promoter of the “Smile Project” to hear customers’ voices, she was able to focus on differentiating her talent agency from others. She strives to create a new type of relationship between artists and customers by devoting her effort to charities, education projects, and cultural programs. Yuka is a young CEO who skillfully navigates the ever-changing Japan-Korea entertainment business by way of her experience as a pioneer of the Hanryu boom and runs throughout Asia to bring further market expansion.

Sakie Sekiya

Profile

• Born in Tokyo, Japan
• Faculty of Foreign Studies, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies
• College of Humanities, Seoul National University
• The University of Tokyo Graduate School of Arts and Sciences / Graduate School, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies
• Guide-interpreter（Korean） / The EIKEN Test in Practical English Proficiency, Level 2

During high school, Sakie became familiar with Korea and learned the language proficiently. She then studied abroad in South Korea for 2 years. During her time in college, she acquired certification as a guide-interpreter and worked as a translator, interpreter and subtitle translator while she studied. With her knowledge and personal connections in the Korean entertainment industry, she played an active part as a magazine editor and coordinator. Then she joined Polystar Records to work as Ellie Shibata’s assistant, and supported the debuts of many Korean singers in Japan. After joining Office Mullen Co., Ltd., she plays an active role as an artist manager in charge of public relations. She is also well known for her scouting skills in CROSSONE Co.,Ltd.

Isao Nagata

Profile

• Born in Tokyo, Japan
• Faculty of Economics, Keio University
• CEO of Farther On, Inc.

• Executive Officer of Columbia Music Entertainment, Inc.
• Columbia International Division President
• BMG International Director of BMG JAPAN, Inc.
• Vice President of Pony Canyon Entertainment Los Angeles, Inc.