Jon Stojan
Image credit: Brandon Silverstein
Japanese entertainment powerhouse Avex has significantly increased its investment in the US music market by appointing S10 Entertainment founder Brandon Silverstein as Chief Executive Officer of the newly formed Avex Music Group (AMG). The announcement, made on March 25, 2025, comes alongside Avex’s full acquisition of S10 Music Publishing and an increased stake in S10 Management.
The strategic move consolidates all assets previously under Avex USA into the Avex Music Group banner, which will maintain its headquarters in Los Angeles. As part of the agreement, Silverstein will become a partner in AMG with an equity stake and join its board of directors.
Brandon Silverstein and Avex: A Partnership Years in the Making
This appointment builds upon a fruitful partnership that began in 2020 when Silverstein and Avex formed S10 Publishing as a joint venture. Their collaboration deepened in May 2024 when Avex made a strategic investment in S10 Entertainment’s management division.
“Katsumi Kuroiwa and the entire team at Avex have been exceptional partners to me, as well as to the producers, songwriters, and artists at S10,” said Silverstein. “It is an honor to work alongside Katsumi and contribute to Avex’s legacy of innovation and excellence.”
The partnership has already yielded impressive results. In 2024, S10 and Avex finished Mediabase’s year-end Top 40 radio chart with three songs in the top 20, including Tate McRae’s “Greedy” at #1, Doja Cat’s “Agora Hills” at #5, and Tommy Richman’s “Million Dollar Baby” at #16. All three tracks also reached #1 on Spotify’s Global Chart.
Expanding Global Reach Under Silverstein’s Leadership
Founded in 1988, Avex employs more than 1,500 people across 14 offices and five recording studios worldwide, with global revenue reaching approximately $1 billion USD in 2024. While Avex Inc. remains headquartered in Japan, Silverstein serves as CEO of Avex Music Group (AMG), the company’s U.S.-based division, where he oversees all U.S. operations, and the global music group for priorities from Japan, including S10 Music Publishing and S10 Management.
Avex CEO Katsumi Kuroiwa emphasized the strategic importance of this move: “By deepening our commitment and entrusting Brandon to lead our US operations, we are not only expanding our footprint but also positioning Avex as a potent force in the international music landscape.”
Silverstein brings significant industry credentials to the role. Recognized in Billboard Magazine’s influential “Power 100,” “40 Under 40,” and “Latin Power” lists, as well as Forbes’ “30 Under 30,” he has orchestrated 13 chart-topping global streaming hits accumulating over 50 billion streams.
The acquisition gives Avex the largest share in S10 Management alongside Silverstein and Roc Nation. S10’s existing team and operations will remain unchanged, and Silverstein will continue to own and lead S10 Records as a completely independent record label.
Future Vision
AMG will focus on building its music publishing portfolio, promoting Avex artists globally, forming joint ventures with established artists and entrepreneurs, expanding into music catalog deals, managing talent via S10 Management, as well as the global priorities from the Avex HQ in Tokyo.
“My mandate is to build Avex Music Group into a dynamic, full-service music company that creates global opportunities for our creative community,” Silverstein stated. “I am deeply grateful for this opportunity and look forward to this next chapter with Avex.”
The S10 Publishing catalog features numerous Billboard #1 hits, including songs by Justin Bieber, Tate McRae, Doja Cat, and Jack Harlow, while S10’s management roster includes prominent artists such as Myke Towers, Big Sean, and Madison Bailey.
This strategic partnership aims to create new opportunities for creatives and introduce Japanese talent to a wider global audience, further solidifying Avex’s position as a global entertainment powerhouse.