AppBank

Basic Information

Stock Code
6177
Industry
Services
Category Detail
Consumer Electronics Retailers
Prefecture
Tokyo
Establishment Year
January 2012
Listing Year
October 2015
Official Website
http://www.appbank.co.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance
Yahoo! Finance
Other Companies
Applied, ZOA, Hotlink, S Wire, Agile

Overview

AppBank is a services company established in 2012. It engages in internet content distribution and physical store sales, and also handles video and restaurant businesses, making it a diversified enterprise.

Current Situation

AppBank achieved consolidated sales of approximately 490 million yen in the fiscal year ended December 2023, but recorded an operating loss of approximately 372 million yen. Its main businesses are internet media operations and product sales, with smartphone app reviews and related video distribution as primary revenue sources. In the video business, it operates the YouTuber 'Max Murai' channel, which has gained a large number of viewers. Since 2021, it has also expanded into the restaurant business. It previously conducted accessory sales through subsidiaries but has undergone business restructuring since 2020. In recent years, it has actively pursued capital and business alliances and third-party allotment of shares for fundraising, aiming to create synergies between video/media and related products. Following past scandals, it has strengthened its internal systems, and in 2024, Mitsuzo Shiraishi was appointed as the new Representative Director, President, and CEO. Moving forward, it will focus on video distribution, expanding digital content, and strengthening the restaurant business, aiming for stabilization of its revenue base in the medium to long term.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • YouTube video views exceed 2.5 billion in total
  • Representative YouTuber 'Max Murai' has over 1.5 million subscribers
  • Diversified from internet review site to physical stores
  • Refreshed management structure after scandals to focus on regaining trust
  • Operates one of Japan's first specialized smartphone game strategy videos
  • Examples of business expansion into unrelated industries like agriculture
  • Operates multiple prominent YouTube channels
  • Opened charcoal-grilled themed restaurant in Tokyo
  • Accelerating new business development through active capital alliances
  • Incident involving design plagiarism of smartphone accessories
  • Attempts cross-media expansion in manga, games, and videos
  • Developing regionally rooted restaurant brands
  • Cases of long-term suspension of video content updates
  • Social attention to embezzlement by former accounting executive
  • Rare domestic company balancing video and restaurant businesses

Hidden Connections

  • Leverages YouTube influence to form unique networks with advertising agencies and IT companies
  • Strengthened collaboration in entertainment field through capital and business alliance with STPR Co., Ltd.
  • Reconstructing business portfolio through subsidiary mergers and stock transfers
  • Developing markets beyond smartphone media through entry into agriculture-related businesses
  • YouTube-centered video marketing also contributes to physical store customer attraction
  • Strong in financial management as Representative Director President CEO has CFO experience
  • Holds partnerships with domestic and international smartphone game developers
  • Preparing to provide services to IT companies using video production technology

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Expansion of advertising revenue through increase in video content viewers
  • Expansion of related markets due to sustained growth in smartphone game market
  • Sophistication of digital marketing business
  • Improvement in brand recognition and multi-store expansion in restaurant business
  • International expansion of video content and acquisition of overseas fans
  • New business development leveraging capital and business alliances
  • Strengthened collaboration with YouTubers in entertainment field
  • Expansion of user-participatory content
  • Creation of e-sports and game-related new services
  • Efficiency improvement in content production through AI technology introduction
  • Strengthening of hybrid EC and physical store sales channels
  • Improvement in corporate image through sustainability initiatives

Strategic Goals

  • Triple advertising revenue from video distribution business
  • Multi-store expansion and strengthened regional rooting in restaurant business
  • Achieve top domestic share in game-related media
  • Accelerate new business development fusing IT and entertainment
  • Establish corporate operations incorporating sustainability
  • Improve financial soundness through establishment of diverse revenue sources
  • Enhance employee diversity and work environment
  • Further strengthen domestic and international YouTuber networks
  • Maximize production efficiency through AI utilization
  • Promote social contribution activities in collaboration with local communities

Business Segments

Video Content Production Support

Overview
Provides comprehensive support from planning to distribution of video content production.
Competitiveness
Strength in YouTuber network and editing expertise
Customers
  • YouTube Creators
  • Web Media Operators
  • Advertising Agencies
Products
  • Video Planning and Production
  • Editing Services
  • Marketing Support

Smartphone Accessory Retail Store Operations

Overview
Operates sales of smartphone-related products in directly managed stores and online shops.
Competitiveness
Hybrid sales strategy combining physical stores and EC
Customers
  • General Consumers
  • Corporate Customers
  • EC Operators
Products
  • Smartphone Cases
  • Protective Films
  • Peripherals

Advertising and Affiliate Business

Overview
Deploys internet advertising and affiliate services related to smartphone apps.
Competitiveness
Advertising expertise specialized in smartphone games
Customers
  • Advertiser Companies
  • Media Operators
Products
  • Internet Advertising
  • Affiliate Programs

Restaurant Operations

Overview
Operates charcoal-grilled restaurants mainly in Tokyo.
Competitiveness
Expansion of brand-strength restaurants
Customers
  • General Consumers
  • Local Communities
Products
  • Charcoal-Grilled Dishes
  • Beverages

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Diverse video content production capabilities
  • Ownership of sales channels for smartphone-related products
  • Brand recognition through YouTuber network
  • Risk diversification through diversified business operations
  • Fundraising capabilities via capital and business alliances
  • Brand-strength online media
  • Experience and expertise in physical store operations
  • Expertise in video marketing
  • Knowledge in internet advertising
  • Strong influence on young people and smartphone users
  • Integration capabilities of video and game content
  • Management team's experience in IT and entertainment fields
  • Well-equipped video production facilities
  • Ongoing acquisition of existing fan base
  • Utilization of diverse sales channels

Competitive Advantages

  • Unique customer touchpoints through fusion of video distribution and physical stores
  • Strong customer attraction via numerous YouTube channel subscribers
  • Specialized media focused on smartphone game strategy information
  • Secured stable funding base through multiple capital and business alliances
  • Advertising revenue model leveraging video production expertise
  • Initiated building of regionally rooted brands in restaurant business
  • Revenue diversification strategy through diversified businesses
  • Enhanced brand value through famous YouTubers
  • Speedy content development and distribution system
  • Synergistic effects between online and offline
  • Accumulated know-how in smartphone product sales
  • Business structure responsive to youth consumption trends
  • Efforts to improve corporate constitution to regain trust
  • Strengthened marketing using influencers
  • Customer base expansion through diverse video channels

Threats

  • Intense competition in video content market
  • Intensifying price competition in smartphone accessory market
  • Risks from legal regulations and copyright issues
  • Policy changes in platforms like YouTube
  • Revenue instability due to fluctuations in advertising income
  • Decline in credibility due to content theft or plagiarism issues
  • Intensified competition from new entrants
  • Decline in consumer purchasing intent due to deteriorating economic conditions
  • Risk of recurrence of management scandals
  • Delay in responding to rapid changes in consumer preferences
  • Risk of rising physical store operation costs
  • Decline in competitiveness due to delay in adopting new IT technologies

Innovations

2020: Launched Video Content 'Max Murai SEASON2'

Overview
Successfully maintained and increased viewers by transitioning to a new structure for smartphone game play videos.
Impact
Over 1.5 million YouTube subscribers

2021: Opened Flagship Restaurant 'Tomotakean.ICHIGO'

Overview
Opened a charcoal food-themed restaurant in Harajuku, entering new business.
Impact
Contributes to securing new revenue sources

2023: Expanded Capital and Business Alliances and Conducted Third-Party Allotment

Overview
Advanced fundraising and business collaboration through alliances with STPR Co., Ltd. and Quantum Leap.
Impact
Achieved approximately 240 million yen in fundraising

2024: Management Restructuring with Mitsuzo Shiraishi Appointed as President

Overview
Former Director CFO appointed as Representative Director President CEO to accelerate organizational reform.
Impact
Expectations for management stabilization

Sustainability

  • Improved management transparency through strengthened corporate governance
  • Effective use of digital resources in video production
  • Sustainability of store expansion through collaboration with local communities
  • Strengthened customer information protection and privacy measures
  • Support for nurturing young engineers and creators
  • Active compliance with laws and social responsibility
  • Office operation improvements aimed at reducing environmental impact
  • Promotion of diversity and inclusion
  • Improved customer satisfaction through enhanced video distribution quality
  • Building sustainable advertising models
  • Proper content copyright management
  • Strengthened support for local communities