Masami Takahashi, President and Japan Representative, Warner Bros. Japan LLC

Making Japan a global creative center with new value

President and Japan Representative, Warner Bros. Japan LLC
Country Manager, Warner Bros. Discovery Japan
Masami Takahashi(Masami Takahashi)

■ Profile

After working at an advertising agency and Coca-Cola, he began working in the entertainment business in 2000. During his time at Disney, he led the restructuring of Disney's animation business with works such as "Frozen" and "Big Hero 6."
He joined Warner Bros. Japan in 2015 and became president and representative for Japan in 2016.
He advocates a 360-degree business and is working to build the "Harry Potter: Wizarding World" franchise business, including experience businesses such as the Harry Potter Studio Tour and games, as well as strengthening the production of local content such as Japanese films and anime and disseminating it to the world. Born in Tokyo in 1959.

Warner Bros. Japan LLC (hereafter referred to as "Warner") has produced numerous hit films. In recent years, the company has been focusing on the production of Japanese films, hoping to bring Japanese-made film works to the world. The company is also working to build a franchise business, such as the Harry Potter Studio Tour Tokyo, which opened this year. We spoke to President and Japan Representative Takahashi, who has had a wide range of career experiences, about the ideas they use to get more people to enjoy movies and their outlook for the future.

I studied international politics at university because I was interested in other countries. From politics I developed an interest in psychoanalysis, and I studied it by reading books on my own. I also had a lot of free time, and my parents encouraged me to do what I liked, so I worked a variety of part-time jobs, read magazines, watched my favorite movies and music, and watched sports. I think these experiences will ultimately be useful in the future.

■I never thought I would be able to work for a film company.

After graduating from university, I wanted to work in the art world, which I love.
I loved going abroad, so I joined a foreign advertising agency. The work was very interesting, and over the course of 13 years I think I learned everything I needed to know, including overseas marketing, manufacturing with an advertising perspective in mind, and English. I had always intended to work at an advertising agency, but in my late 30s I was invited by Coca-Cola Japan, where I became responsible for advertising production as a creative director, shooting commercials and creating advertisements for new products. When I went to America to shoot a commercial, they were shooting a huge movie in the studio next door. I remember thinking, "Wow, that's amazing! I'd love to work somewhere like that." However, although I've always loved movies, I honestly never thought I'd be able to work for a film company.
Next, I wanted to get into what we now call eSports, so I joined EA, a company that produces sports games like FIFA soccer. It felt a little early, and it didn't catch on as much as I'd hoped, but it was a very good experience for me. After that, I worked at Disney for 11 years, learning about a variety of jobs, including film and home entertainment. Then, I wanted to work in film production, so I joined Warner, and this year marks my eighth year there. When I go to the studio during filming, I feel fortunate to be able to do what I love. As I'm in a position to make many major decisions related to film production, I strive to manage the company with the holistic view so that great films can be delivered to as many viewers as possible.

■ Enveloping customers with the movie's message

Their biggest business right now is Big Screen & Digital, which combines movie theaters with a streaming service called SVOD. What sets them apart from other companies is that they offer both Japanese and foreign films, as well as TV dramas and anime. They also have a 360-degree business that builds franchises by increasing touchpoints such as merchandise and cafes, enveloping consumers in the message of the films from multiple angles. Examples of this include the Harry Potter Studio Tour and the development of the Akasaka Harry Potter cafe and shop.
In the past, about 70% of our films were foreign, but now more than half of the films we handle are Japanese. This is because we felt we needed to consider the balance of our portfolio as more people are watching Japanese films, and because we want to bring Japanese works to the world. When producing a film, we consider it from various perspectives. We take into account what films have been hits in the past and how the world is moving, but we also need something unique that is unique to entertainment. I believe that a comprehensive perspective is essential to creating a hit film.
What's great about Warner is that the entire company has a DNA of "wanting to make good movies" and that they turn crises into opportunities. They have a clear idea of ​​what they want to do as a company, and there's a common understanding that even if things don't go well, everyone will try their best. Looking at Warner's 100-year history, there have been several tough times when they weren't blessed with hit movies, but they have always tried new things, such as producing films that are different from anything they've done before, like "The Matrix," and I think they have paved the way each time.

■ A unique perspective is needed

We want unique people to work for our company. I think that talented people are both those who can do the same things as others but better than others, and those who can do things differently than others. However, we need to create new value and not do the same things as before, so rather than having strong administrative skills, we need people who can create new value by coming up with new plans, strategies, and business models. Having worked for a foreign-affiliated company, I know that a unique perspective is necessary.
The new value I am aiming for is to make Japan the creative center of the world.
Of course, we want to expand our core business of introducing great American films to Japan, but we also believe that combining our core business with new initiatives is important for business development, so we hope to take on a variety of new business ventures.
Regarding our core business, we call ourselves a variety company. Rather than focusing on just one genre, we would like to continue to take on new challenges in various genres.

■Message to students

I believe you will be able to perform better if you challenge yourself with something you love, so I want you to do what you love. I want you to start looking for something you can devote your passion to and something you think you are good at. You won't necessarily find that while you're a university student. It's fine to do it in your 20s or 30s. Once you find something you're passionate about, try to work hard at it.

Interview with Student Newspaper Online on November 4, 2023 by Shiori Ohno, a second-year student at Sophia University Junior College