Studio Swan returns to IMJ Entertainment

Written by Mark Schilling
Monday, 14 January 2008
Story Categories: advertising, Film, Finance, Japan, talent agencies, TOKYO -- IMJ Entertainment will absorb subsid Studio Swan, effective February 1, the company has announced. Launched in March 2005 by IMJE as a theatrical production unit, Swan has produced the Takehiko Shinjo weepy "But I Love You" (Tada Kimi o Aishiteiru, 2006) and the Tatsuya Hagishima fantasy drama "I Can Only Hear You" (Kiki Shika Kikoenai, 2007), while establishing itself as a maker of TV commercials. IMJE is merging with Swan to enhance operational efficiency and synergize the production know-how of both companies. The Swan name will survive as an IMJE production label, but Swan will cease to exist as a stand-alone company. The merger will be effected through a stock swap, with five Swan shares being exchanged for one IMJE share. Coming up on the Swan slate are the Tatsuya Hagishima youth pic "Kids," skedded for a February 2 release, and the Tomoyuki Furumaya sports pic "Naoko," set for a February 16 bow. A member of the IMJ media group, IMJE is engaged in a range of visual contents businesses, including theatrical pic, CM and legit production, as well as talent representation.