Tokyo, Japan – Reed Exhibitions Japan Ltd. will be opening Contents Tokyo 2014 at Tokyo Big Sight, Japan from July 2-4. In its second year running, the show is expected to serve as an even bigger business platform this year for the content industry gathering 53,000 attendees, 1,530 exhibitors from 50 countries.

Content Tokyo is Asia’s comprehensive B-to-B trade show consisting of four independent shows, all related to content; Creators’ Expo, Licensing Japan, Production Companies Expo and Content Solutions Expo.

It is a show where one can negotiate business with a wide range of professionals from the content industry under one roof. From individual creators (700 creators are expected be joining this year), licensors, production companies to technology/service providers for content distribution and creation, experts from each stage of content creation will be able to inspire one another, share ideas and find solutions to create and materialise new content.

“We visited the show to look for superior production companies, and we were able to have meetings with five exhibitors. We are planning to make orders worth between US$7,000 and US$30,000 for production of programmes and title CGs,” said a NHK Broadcasting Station, Production Companies Expo visitor.

“We showcased our content delivery solutions this year and had 200 business meetings with various content holders including TV stations, movie companies and publishers.

We are expecting to gain orders amount to US$500,000,” Funward Ltd., a Content Solutions Expo exhibitor commented.  

“This show helped us to expand our sale, because we could meet with many visitors from various industries in one exhibition. This year we had business discussions with many companies such as event companies, audio companies and video production companies. Now we are following up five deals and expecting to gain orders amount to US$200,000,” said Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd., a Content Solutions Expo exhibitor.

J Sports Corp., a Content Solutions Expo visitor commented: “We were looking for a new operating system for broadcasting. Thus we visited Content Solutions Expo and discussed with some exhibitors. Now we are evaluating some products. If it is adopted, the order will be US$100,000.”

Teo Jasmin, a Licensing Japan exhibitor from France said: “We could find 6 strong leads who deal stationery, lifestyle accessories, and game software, etc. Also, we met potential agents who help us to develop business in the Japanese market.”

The Licensing Company, a Licensing Japan exhibitor from the UK commented: “About 400 people visited our booth and we found many potential new licensees.

We also had meetings with already negotiating licensees to close the deal at the show, having face to face meetings with top-level persons of the company.”

Mariko Kanazawa, a Creator’s Expo exhibitor commented: “Illustrations for an overseas television programme and a monthly publication (each month from October 2013) for a national body were jobs generated through exhibiting at the show.

Other offers received include illustrations for calendars and designing a picture-story show.”

Captain34, a Creator’s Expo exhibitor commented: “Various job offers were made during the show such as logo/web designs, character illustrations for a corporate sales tools and posters, illustrations for books etc. I have been receiving end-less offers since the show.”

Jitari, a Creator’s Expo exhibitor commented: “I was offered to design a character for a mobile game which was released in October. Also designs for calendar apps and card games. I am currently working on five other jobs offered during the show, for example, contents for a book being published next summer about how to draw game illustrations.”

Launched in 2013, Contents Tokyo has initially been focused on Japanese exhibits but the organiser, Reed Exhibitions Japan aims to establish the show into the largest business platform in Asia and extend out further to the world.

“Japan is already well known for its creativity, high quality products/services but what we see in the media and in everyday life is only the tip of the iceberg. There are infinite numbers of creators, producers, licensors, distributors itching to share their new ideas and products. One of the reasons for the launch of the show last year is to provide somewhere for such professionals to share and create business. As the freedom and transparency of digital content creation is expanding, we believe Contents Tokyo will satisfy the industry’s needs,” said Keisuke Amano, Show Director of Contents Tokyo, Reed Exhibitions Japan Ltd.

He added: “As well as providing a stage for such professionals from Japan to showcase their exhibits, we strongly encourage professionals from overseas to utilise the show too. The market conditions for entertainment/media, consumer/end user spending, merchandising licensed products is mature and strong in Japan. Thus by organising Contents Tokyo, we aim to provide overseas players a strong base to tap into the Japanese market. This show is truly an interactive, entertaining, one of a kind show setting the trends for future contents business and I hope industry players would be able to enjoy it as well as having a very fruitful experience.”