THECOO

Basic Information

Stock Code
4255
Industry
Information and Communications
Category Detail
Internet Site Operations
Prefecture
Tokyo
Establishment Year
January 2014
Listing Year
December 2021
Official Website
https://thecoo.co.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance
Yahoo! Finance
Other Companies
PostPrime, MIXI, OKWave, Hatena, Wantedly, Beetrend, S Innové, Amazia

Overview

THECOO is an information and communications company established in 2014 that specializes in influencer-related businesses, rapidly growing centered on its fan club platform operations.

Current Situation

THECOO recorded consolidated net sales of approximately 3.482 billion yen and operating losses exceeding 100 million yen for the fiscal year ending December 2021. Its core Fanicon platform saw increased demand during the COVID-19 pandemic and has strengthened partnerships, such as with NTT Docomo. Revenue is driven by fan club operations and management for influencers and celebrities, as well as performance-based advertising, supported by owned live streaming studios for diverse content production. The company is diversifying through subsidiary mergers and game streamer production management, enhancing competitiveness in digital marketing. While securing net assets financially, ongoing operating losses highlight the need for profitability improvements. Moving forward, it aims for growth through overseas expansion and technology utilization, capitalizing on the expanding influencer marketing market to enhance value provision. It is also engaged in sustainability efforts like regional contributions and creator support.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • Fanicon is one of Japan's largest fan club platforms
  • Office features an in-house record shop
  • Founder from Google with deep digital marketing expertise
  • Operates production specialized in game streamers
  • Supports creators by providing live streaming studios for free
  • Rapid sales growth and increased recognition post-IPO
  • Strengthened mobile expansion through NTT Docomo partnership
  • IT company headquartered in Jingumae, Shibuya Ward, Tokyo
  • Adopted by numerous official fan clubs of celebrities and athletes
  • Listed on Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market in 2021
  • One-stop provision from video production to ad operations
  • Possesses proprietary influencer marketing techniques
  • Approximately 90 employees, mainly specialists
  • Advancing ad effectiveness optimization through AI technology introduction
  • Benefited from increased demand for online communities during COVID-19

Hidden Connections

  • Realizes fusion of telecom infrastructure and entertainment through NTT Docomo partnership
  • Absorbed and merged subsidiary jointly invested with Masaki Yoshida Office
  • Leverages cutting-edge IT technologies under CEO from Google
  • Unique support system providing free live studios for fan clubs
  • Rare company combining game streamer and influencer production
  • Close capital ties with multiple major shareholders including High and Dry
  • Competes with Hatena and MIXI in SNS site operations industry
  • Accumulates and analyzes proprietary fan data through own platform

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Ongoing growth in influencer marketing market
  • Platform demand expansion from increasing new fan club setups
  • Increasing consumption of video content like live streaming
  • Digital ad efficiency improvements and advancement of performance-based ads
  • Aggressive expansion into overseas markets (especially Asia)
  • Fan engagement enhancement through technology evolution
  • Strengthening of diverse creator and talent management
  • Synergy creation through partnerships with companies
  • Post-COVID activation demand for online communities
  • AI utilization for improved user experience

Strategic Goals

  • Achieve No.1 share in fan club platforms domestically and internationally
  • Reach annual sales exceeding 10 billion yen
  • Establish sustainability-oriented service operations
  • Accelerate overseas expansion with multilingual support
  • Expand live streaming studios and content production functions
  • Nationwide rollout of influencer training programs
  • Advanced ad effectiveness maximization technology via data analysis
  • Expand service lines for diverse creators
  • Strengthen social contribution activities in collaboration with regional communities
  • Create new businesses leveraging innovative technologies

Business Segments

Digital Advertising Agency Business

Overview
Provides advertising operations and effectiveness analysis leveraging influencers.
Competitiveness
High-precision targeting using fan club data
Customers
  • Advertiser Companies
  • Marketing Agencies
  • Brand Owners
  • Entertainment Companies
  • Retailers
Products
  • Performance-Based Advertising Services
  • Influencer Marketing
  • Digital Campaign Planning
  • Marketing Analysis
  • Media Planning

Fan Club Platform Provision

Overview
Provides a platform to support fan club setup and operations.
Competitiveness
Multifunctional and stable platform operation capabilities
Customers
  • Talent Agencies
  • Sports Clubs
  • Creators
  • Entertainment Companies
  • Content Holders
Products
  • Fanicon Platform
  • Community Management Tools
  • Monetization System
  • Event Integration Services

Studio Operations Business

Overview
Operates studio services supporting live streaming and video production.
Competitiveness
Comprehensive equipment and creator support systems
Customers
  • Creators
  • Advertising Agencies
  • Event Organizers
  • Media Production Companies
  • Influencers
Products
  • Live Streaming Equipment
  • Recording Services
  • Event Setup Support
  • Technical Staff Dispatch

Influencer Management

Overview
Trains and manages a diverse range of influencers.
Competitiveness
Industry-specialized professional management expertise
Customers
  • Game Streamers
  • YouTubers
  • Female Talent
  • Advertisers
  • Media Companies
Products
  • Talent Management
  • Promotion Planning
  • Creator Training
  • Contract Management

Digital Marketing Support

Overview
Supports marketing initiatives across diverse digital channels.
Competitiveness
Comprehensive strategy proposals combining influencers
Customers
  • Corporate Marketing Departments
  • Advertising Agencies
  • IT Companies
  • E-commerce Operators
  • Content Providers
Products
  • SEO Measures
  • Web Analysis
  • SNS Marketing
  • Advertising Operation Reports

Event Planning and Operations

Overview
Plans and operates fan club and influencer events.
Competitiveness
Strong network with fan communities
Customers
  • Entertainment Companies
  • Sports Organizations
  • Advertiser Companies
  • Promotion Companies
  • Fan Club Operators
Products
  • Fan Meeting Planning
  • Live Event Operations
  • Online Event Support
  • Venue Setup Services

Production Management

Overview
Provides comprehensive management services for affiliated creators.
Competitiveness
High-quality support from diverse specialist staff
Customers
  • Influencers
  • Celebrities
  • YouTubers
  • Creative Agencies
  • Advertising Clients
Products
  • Contract Negotiations
  • Content Planning
  • Monetization Support
  • Brand Collaborations

Content Production Support

Overview
Provides technical support and planning collaboration for content production.
Competitiveness
High-quality support from latest technology and experienced staff
Customers
  • Video Production Companies
  • Advertising Agencies
  • Creators
  • Event Organizers
  • Media Companies
Products
  • Video Recording Support
  • Live Streaming Technology Provision
  • Editing Support
  • Content Planning Consulting

Platform Development and Maintenance

Overview
Handles development and stable operation of the fan club platform.
Competitiveness
Rapid response and user-focused development structure
Customers
  • In-House Services
  • External Companies
  • Development Partners
Products
  • Fanicon System Operations
  • New Feature Development
  • Troubleshooting
  • Security Management

Market Research & Data Analysis

Overview
Provides analysis services for fan communities and advertising effectiveness.
Competitiveness
Detailed analysis leveraging proprietary fan club data
Customers
  • Advertisers
  • Marketing Agencies
  • Fan Club Operators
  • Creators
  • Entertainment Companies
Products
  • Fan Trend Analysis
  • Effectiveness Measurement Reports
  • Trend Research
  • Data Consulting

Education and Training Programs

Overview
Implements education and training programs for creators and employees.
Competitiveness
Practical training in collaboration with active professionals
Customers
  • New Creators
  • Affiliated Talent
  • Corporate Training
Products
  • SNS Utilization Training
  • Content Planning Courses
  • Management Training

Overseas Expansion Support

Overview
Strengthening support for expansion into overseas markets such as Asia.
Competitiveness
Local networks and bridging to the Japanese market
Customers
  • Creators
  • Entertainment Companies
  • Advertising Agencies
Products
  • Global Marketing
  • Multilingual Platform Development
  • Overseas Partner Collaboration

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Proprietary fan club platform operation capabilities
  • Extensive influencer and talent network
  • Content production support via live streaming studios
  • Accumulated expertise in digital advertising operations
  • Strategic partnerships with major companies like NTT Docomo
  • Early entry and track record in rapidly growing market
  • Risk diversification through multifaceted business expansion
  • Specialized creator management structure
  • Advertising effectiveness maximization through data utilization
  • Technical expertise in online community building
  • User-friendly app provision
  • Strong customer base and fan engagement
  • Agile market response capabilities
  • Innovative utilization of IT technologies
  • Strong bonds with young creators

Competitive Advantages

  • Exclusive operation of platforms for celebrity and athlete fans
  • Differentiation through free studio provision for fan club creators
  • Superiority in sales channel expansion via NTT Docomo partnership
  • Strength of marketing methods directly connecting to influencers
  • Content diversification through game streamer production operations
  • Comprehensive monetization support via multifunctional platform
  • Improved customer satisfaction through synergy with advertising agency business
  • ROI improvement via accumulated digital ad optimization know-how
  • Differentiation from competitors with enriched live streaming facilities
  • Creation of new revenue opportunities through technology and entertainment fusion
  • Building growth foundation with Asian expansion alongside domestic market
  • Formation of proprietary talent pool through focus on creator development
  • Enhanced user experience with high technical capabilities
  • Ensuring long-term engagement through strong fan community formation
  • Creation of new business models via flexible business development capabilities

Threats

  • Market share erosion by competing major SNS and platforms
  • Rapid changes and fads in the influencer market
  • Revenue instability due to economic fluctuations in advertising market
  • Impacts from strengthened industry regulations and personal information protection laws
  • Concerns over revenue stagnation from slowing domestic market growth
  • Intensified competition from new entrants
  • Risks from technology obsolescence and delayed responses
  • Legal risks from copyright and portrait rights issues
  • Advertising investment reduction due to economic conditions
  • Intensified competition for creator retention and acquisition
  • Cultural and regulatory gaps in global expansion
  • Expanding cyber security risks and damages

Innovations

2021: Business Partnership with NTT Docomo

Overview
Collaborated with major telecom to promote growth of fan club platform.
Impact
User base expansion and sales channel diversification

2022: Opening of PEAKS STUDIO

Overview
New multi-purpose studio in Shibuya Ward to strengthen streaming and recording environment.
Impact
Creator support and revenue opportunity expansion

2021: Expansion of BLACKBOX³ Studio

Overview
Opened large-scale live streaming studio in Shinjuku Ward with enriched facilities.
Impact
Significant improvement in live streaming competitiveness

2020: Fanicon Platform Feature Enhancement

Overview
Advanced community functions tailored for fan club operations.
Impact
Membership growth and engagement improvement

2023: Acceleration of Overseas Expansion

Overview
Advancing overseas rollout of fan club services centered on Korea.
Impact
Revenue base diversification and growth expectations

2022: Strengthening Influencer Development

Overview
Expanded new talent scouting and training systems.
Impact
Expansion of competitive talent pool

2023: Introduction of Data-Driven Ad Optimization Technology

Overview
Introduced IT tools to improve ad delivery precision.
Impact
ROI improvement and customer satisfaction enhancement

2023: Introduction of New Studio Equipment

Overview
Introduced latest equipment for streaming and recording to improve environment.
Impact
Improved production quality and expanded commissions

2020: Launch of Performance-Based Advertising Services

Overview
Launched provision of performance-based digital ads by specialist team.
Impact
Revenue diversification and enhanced market competitiveness

2021: Strengthening of Studio Coup

Overview
Expanded management structure for game streamer production.
Impact
Content diversification and fan base expansion

Sustainability

  • Regional revitalization through support for local creators
  • Promotion of social contribution activities using live streaming
  • Internal initiatives to reduce plastic usage
  • Diversity promotion and creation of comfortable work environment
  • Promotion of efficient resource utilization through digital technology
  • Focus on ensuring psychological safety for creators
  • Efforts to expand hiring of people with disabilities
  • Studio operations policy considering reduction of environmental impact
  • Consideration of renewable energy utilization
  • Establishment of strengthened information security measures
  • Active participation in and reporting on CSR activities
  • Support for fan community formation at regional events