Alba Times

Basic Information

Stock Code
2341
Industry
Services
Category Detail
Mass Media
Prefecture
Tokyo
Establishment Year
October 1973
Listing Year
December 2002
Official Website
https://www.atimes.co.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance
Yahoo! Finance
Other Companies
Sailor Advertising, Soval, KG Information, Auto W, Starts Publishing, AlphaPolis, Zenrin, Shobunsha Holdings, SE Holdings & Incubations, Impress Holdings

Overview

Alba Times is a job information service company founded in 1973, centered on the free job magazine 'DOMO' and the job site 'DOMO NET', providing regionally focused talent information services.

Current Situation

Alba Times recorded consolidated net sales of ¥4.318 billion and operating profit of ¥107 million in the fiscal year ended February 2024, maintaining a stable business base. Centered on its mainstay job information magazine 'DOMO' and job site 'DOMO NET', it operates primarily based in Shizuoka Prefecture while expanding into the Tokyo metropolitan area, Nagoya, and other urban regions. In response to the digital shift in the job industry, it is strengthening online job information services. Its subsidiary Link Co., Ltd.'s magazine distribution business also contributes to revenue. It is pursuing management rationalization and operational efficiency improvements through agency contracts, maintaining competitiveness amid a harsh market environment. Moving forward, it aims for medium- to long-term growth by balancing digital service enhancements in the Tokyo area with localized job information provision. Introduction of the latest technologies and leveraging regional networks form the pillars of its growth strategy. It also places importance on its social role in promoting employment and endeavors sustainable business operations.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • The free job magazine 'DOMO', continued since founding, has high regional recognition.
  • Originating in Shizuoka, actively expanding to Tokyo metropolitan and Osaka areas.
  • Leading the shift from print to digital in the job industry.
  • Diversified revenue through bundled sales of job magazines and websites.
  • Implemented major management rationalization and agency contracts in 2009.
  • Subsidiary Link focuses on regional magazine distribution centered in Shizuoka.
  • Job info site 'DOMO NET' strong in regional information.
  • Current President is Yasuharu Kaiuchi, inheriting the brand from founding.
  • Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Standard Market, attracting investor attention.
  • Job magazine started weekly, pursuing information freshness.
  • Diversified beyond job magazines to new grad job sites, etc.
  • Ad agency specialized in job industry is a key business pillar.
  • Flexible publishing system responding to seasonal job demand fluctuations.
  • Improved convenience through convenience store distribution of job media.
  • Built job info network through collaboration with peers.

Hidden Connections

  • Localized brand power of job magazines collaborates with local government employment policies.
  • Strengthened online job info sales through agency contract with Dip Corp.
  • Utilizes regional logistics network for free paper distribution via subsidiary Link.
  • Free distribution model of job magazines creates unique ad revenue structure linking users and advertisers.
  • Specialized info provision for local SME hiring contributes to regional economic activation.
  • Transition from print job info to Web services contributes to competitive superiority in the industry.
  • Suspension of metropolitan area job magazine edition is part of strategic shift to online.
  • Actively pursues management rationalization and capital policies to maintain listing post-IPO.

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • New demand creation from digital shift in job industry
  • Growing importance of regional employment info amid local revitalization policies
  • Enhanced convenience through online platform functionality improvements
  • Expanding demand for job info supporting diverse work styles
  • Strengthened revenue base through synergies between jobs and ad businesses
  • Customer segment expansion via new grad job service growth
  • Operational efficiency and cost reduction through IT utilization
  • Business area expansion via partnerships
  • Improved customer loyalty through strengthened localized info
  • Response to qualitative growth amid job market maturation

Strategic Goals

  • Complete digitalization of regional job info services
  • Achieve over 50% sales ratio in Tokyo metropolitan and Nagoya markets
  • Diversify job ad business and establish new revenue sources
  • Build nationwide brand in new grad recruitment field
  • Deploy and strengthen eco-friendly ad services
  • Significantly improve matching accuracy using AI
  • Enhance social responsibility contributing to regional economic activation
  • Smooth completion of transition from print to digital
  • Maintain and improve services with over 90% customer satisfaction
  • Achieve both sustainable management base and revenue growth

Business Segments

Job Ad Placement Services

Overview
Provides comprehensive support for companies from job ad planning and placement to promotion.
Competitiveness
Extensive network of localized job information
Customers
  • Local companies
  • Small and medium enterprises
  • Large companies
  • Staffing companies
  • Job ad agencies
Products
  • Job ad planning
  • Free job magazine placement
  • Job site banner ads
  • Web marketing support

Job Information Site Operations

Overview
Operates job information sites to efficiently match job seekers and employers.
Competitiveness
IT platform strong in regionally specialized job information
Customers
  • Job seekers
  • Companies
  • Talent agencies
Products
  • Job listing platform
  • Application management system
  • Information provision for job seekers

Advertising Agency Business

Overview
Handles agency business for job information and local ads, supporting ad deployments.
Competitiveness
Ad expertise and distribution network specialized in the job industry
Customers
  • Corporate advertisers
  • Ad agencies
  • Job media
Products
  • Ad planning and production
  • Media distribution
  • Marketing consulting

Information Magazine Circulation Business

Overview
Supports magazine and free paper circulation and aids nationwide expansion.
Competitiveness
Logistics network rooted in the region
Customers
  • Publishers
  • Retail stores
  • Distribution companies
Products
  • Free paper distribution
  • Circulation and logistics support
  • Delivery management

Talent Information Planning Services

Overview
Plans and operates job information for new graduate recruitment, bridging companies and students.
Competitiveness
Localized new graduate market information
Customers
  • New graduate hiring companies
  • Students
  • Educational institutions
Products
  • New graduate job site operations
  • Recruitment event planning
  • Information provision for students

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Localized job information network
  • Brand power of long-standing job magazines
  • Deployment of diverse job media
  • Stable distribution network including subsidiaries
  • Comprehensive online job services
  • Detailed customer support system
  • Strong relationships with local governments and companies
  • On-site oriented information provision
  • Accumulated know-how in applicant response
  • Adaptability to diverse job information
  • Freshness through rapid information updates
  • Efficient ad agency business expansion
  • Stable management base
  • Flexible management rationalization capabilities
  • Regionally differentiated strategy from competitors

Competitive Advantages

  • Dual approach of job magazines and sites covering broad customer segments
  • Strong regional network based in Shizuoka Prefecture
  • Provides job info across diverse media, securing traffic and trust
  • High brand recognition from years of operation
  • Adapts to market needs through online job information transition
  • Utilizes broad magazine circulation network via subsidiary Link
  • Exclusive job info collection through ties with local governments and companies
  • Flexible service design accommodating SMEs
  • Strength in job ad planning and marketing
  • Diversity of information services covering rich job genres
  • Balanced local focus and Tokyo area expansion
  • Rapid management rationalization enables profit improvement
  • Maintains certain competitive edge as job magazine
  • Differentiation through unique job site features
  • Consulting strength understanding talent hiring needs

Threats

  • Intensifying competition from digitalization of job ad market
  • Pressure from major job site share expansion
  • Labor market contraction due to declining birthrate and aging
  • Job ad demand instability from economic fluctuations
  • Pressure on paid models from free job info trend
  • Changes in employer needs due to talent shortages
  • Market fragmentation from new entrants
  • Growth limits of regionally limited business
  • Increased system investment burden from advanced IT
  • Rising compliance costs from regulations and privacy protection
  • Difficulty maintaining job info credibility
  • Lagging response to advanced ad effectiveness measurement

Innovations

2024: Major UX Improvement for Job Site

Overview
Revamped the DOMO NET user interface to enhance usability.
Impact
20% increase in visitors, higher application numbers achieved

2023: Expanded Support for Digital Job Ads

Overview
Strengthened Web ad planning services for companies to support effective job ad deployment.
Impact
15% increase in new contracts, ad revenue expansion

2022: Introduction of Cloud-Based Application Management System

Overview
Developed applicant management system for job listing companies to promote efficiency.
Impact
Improved operational efficiency for client companies, higher customer satisfaction

2021: Launch of Electronic Editions for Job Magazines

Overview
Introduced digital versions alongside print media to diversify viewing options.
Impact
Successfully captured younger users

2020: Trial Introduction of AI Job Matching Service

Overview
Utilizes AI technology to improve matching accuracy between job seekers and employers.
Impact
Signs of shorter screening times and improved application rates

Sustainability

  • Paper resource reduction through digitalization of job info updates
  • Active provision of information for regional job creation
  • Economic revitalization through support for local SMEs
  • Promotion of employment for women and seniors
  • Expansion of work-style reform related information
  • Information dissemination for promoting disabled employment
  • Promotion of work-life balance for employees
  • Thorough compliance with laws and personal data protection
  • Environmental load reduction through energy-efficient IT infrastructure
  • Eco-friendly support for regional events