Motorsport.com, a Miami-based technology and digital content company, is expanding to Japan through a joint venture with the oldest and largest digital media company, Kotsu Times Sha Co. LTD, established in 1954.
Motorsport.com, a Miami-based technology and digital content company, is expanding to Japan through a joint venture with the oldest and largest digital media company, Kotsu Times Sha Co. LTD, established in 1954.
The announcement leverages Kotsu Times Sha Co.’s joint venture investment in Motorsport.com to provide online motorsports content, video and interactive multimedia in Japan.
As part of the agreement, Motorsport.com will hold a 51% percent stake and Kotsu Times Sha will own 49%.
The strategic partnership between the two companies will expand Motorsport.com’s worldwide footprint with the launch of the Japanese-based digital platform, Motorsport.com – JAPAN, the company’s 18th global edition.
“Japan is one of the most important countries in the world of motorsport, said Kunio Joichi, Editorial Managing Director, Kotsu Times Sha Co. LTD “Motorsport.com – Japan will, therefore, play an important role in bringing high quality news at high speed to readers around the world. We are all very excited and ready to work on this important project.
“We are thrilled to partner with the most-viewed independent motor sports digital platform in the world,” Joichi added. “Entry into market by Motorsport.com – JAPAN will provide our motor sports enthusiasts with premier global racing content from every major racing series around the world. When evaluating the marketplace for a digital partner, Motorsport.com was the clear choice and only partner we considered.”
“Today is a very important step in expanding our industry-leading digital media platforms,” said Eric Gilbert, Chief Product Officer, Motorsport.com. “We have been approached by several companies looking to partner with Motorsport.com in the region and have been quite diligent in our efforts in finding the right media partner, Kotsu Times Sha Co.
“By partnering with the premier automotive digital media company in Japan, we have further strengthened our position as the go-to source for all motor sports and automotive-related editorial content. Kotsu Times Sha Co. is the perfect content partner in expanding our global footprint in the Far East.”
Motorsport.com – JAPAN will go online in April 2016.
Motorsport.com – JAPAN Appoints Kunihiko Akai Editor in Chief
Motorsport.com announced today that highly respected Japanese motor sports journalist Kunihiko Akai has been appointed editor in chief of Motorsport.com – JAPAN.
The esteemed author of more than 20 books within auto racing, automobiles and aviation sectors, Akai is considered one of the Far East’s preeminent motor sports journalist bringing nearly four decades of editorial experience to Motorsport.com - JAPAN.
An award-winning copywriter, Akai’s international coverage of auto racing specializes in extensive Formula 1 and World Endurance Championship coverage.
“I am honored to be given this important role as Chief Editor of motorsport.com Japan,” said Akai. “I have been involved in many motorsport-related projects during my long years in the industry. My mission as a journalist is to bring the best reading materials to the readers.
“I hope my experience and knowledge will contribute to making Motorsport.com - Japan the best Japanese motorsport site, and it will help achieve a successful joint venture between Motorsport.com - JAPAN and Kotsu Times.”
As the leader of Motorsport.com - JAPAN, he will oversee the local editorial office operations and content policy. He will report directly to Motorsport.com Editor in Chief Charles Bradley, who orchestrates the worldwide editorial direction of the brand.
“Japan is an incredibly important market to the auto racing industry, which makes this extension of the Motorsport.com brand a natural next step,” said Bradley. “We are excited to deliver Motorsport.com – JAPAN with such a high-level and well respected editor as ‘Kuni’.
“As one of the most trusted and well recognized journalists in the paddock and automotive industry, he will deliver the very best content to Japanese fans of auto racing – all in native tongue.”
About Motorsport.com
Formed in 1994, Motorsport.com is a technologically advanced international network of online motorsports content featuring world-class digital distribution, video and interactive multimedia worldwide with news bureaus in 18 editions in 11 different languages, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Websites
www.motorsport.com
www.motor1.com
www.motorstore.com
www.motorsport.tv
Facebook
Twitter
About Kotsu Times
Founded in 1954, it is the oldest Japanese multi-media publisher specializing in automobile. After pioneering in publishing automobile newspapers and magazines in the country, it has published CARTOP magazine, which boasts the biggest circulation as a Japanese monthly automobile magazine. Kotsu Times organizes OSAKA AUTOMESSE, the biggest custom car show in the western Japan. The publisher has online WEBCARTOP, new car information site AUTOMESSE WEB, and many more.
Websites
www.kotsu-times.jp
www.webcartop.jp
www.automesseweb.jp
www.automesse.jp