Nishinippon Shimbun Media Lab Co.

What Nishinippon Shimbun Media Lab Co. does

Nishinippon Shimbun Media Lab Co., Ltd. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nishinippon Shimbun Co., Ltd., operating as a full-service digital creative agency and media production company headquartered in Fukuoka, Japan. The company provides integrated digital marketing services spanning strategy, creative production (video, web, articles), paid distribution, owned media, and analytics for local governments, regional SMEs, and enterprise clients primarily across Kyushu and increasingly nationwide. Its core product, LocAD X, is a GPS-based location-targeting smartphone advertising service that delivers ads based on up to 18 months of user visit history with 1-meter polygon precision, leveraging location intelligence from over 50 million device IDs across 140+ partner apps and a 70,000+ media ad network distributed through 11 regional newspaper channel partners. Adjacent products include MiMiAD (digital audio advertising on Spotify, radiko, podcasts), LOCAL SAND (print + digital integrated local advertising), aumo Biz + Nishinippon Shimbun (tourism DX subscription), Kaitai/Digital Dissection (people-flow analytics via Nightley integration), Potential Cloud (HR analytics via IJIGEN GROUP), and the AI platform Sirusiru (knowledge Q&A and GA4-based insights) launched in November 2025. The company also operates Fanfun Fukuoka, a regional media property averaging 3.5 million monthly pageviews and 1.6 million users.

The business model combines project-based professional services (over 500 cases annually, ranging from ¥200,000 newspaper+digital packages to ¥1M+ #PR video productions), usage-based advertising (LocAD X from ¥40,000; MiMiAD from ¥300,000), recurring subscription revenue (aumo Biz+ at ¥70,000/month, Sirusiru from ¥30,000-¥50,000/month), and data-monetization consulting (Kaitai tiered analysis packages). Go-to-market relies on enterprise field sales through a Business Produce department targeting municipalities and SMEs, supplemented by event-driven demand generation (Location×AI Business Summit, DX seminars) and partner-channel resale. The company holds PrivacyMark certification, Google Partner status, and has won the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Award and the 65th Fukuoka Advertising Association Grand Prize for government PR video work. With 11–50 employees and no external funding, the company scales within the resource envelope of its parent media conglomerate, leveraging the Nishinippon Shimbun brand, owned regional media, and partner-newspaper distribution to compete against standalone digital agencies.

Name

Nishinippon Shimbun Media Lab Co.

Legal name

株式会社西日本新聞メディアラボ

Website

https://medialab.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Nishinippon Shimbun Media Lab Co. is a Fukuoka-based, wholly-owned subsidiary of Nishinippon Shimbun Co., Ltd. offering integrated digital marketing, video production, web development, and location-based advertising (LocAD X) to local governments and regional SMEs across Kyushu and nationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital Media & Advertising Services

NAICS

Broadcasting and Content Providers (516), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210), Media Representatives (54184)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330)

akta.pro primary industry

Media Asset Management (MAM) Platforms (MPAHAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Short-Form Video Discovery, Curation & Aggregation Platforms (MPACAHAG), Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) Screens & Networks (BPAFALAB)

Keywords

• Location-based advertising
• Video production services
• Digital advertising platforms
• Web development services
• Regional media services

Headquarters

HQ city

Fukuoka

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Digital Advertising (LocAD X, digital audio ads): Revenue from location-based smartphone advertising (LocAD X) and digital audio advertising (MiMiAD). Pricing is usage/CPM/click-based with minimum commitments. The company operates its own ad network and manages multi-platform ad delivery across major social and news platforms.
2. Creative and Production Services: One-time and project-based revenue from video production, web design/development, system development, article/content creation, and ad promotion services. Clients include local governments and private enterprises. Annual project volume exceeds 500 cases.
3. Subscription Digital Platforms (aumo Biz+, シルシル): Monthly/annual subscription revenue from marketing platform services. aumo Biz+ is priced at ¥70,000/month for combined platform and content services. シルシル for Knowledge starts at ¥50,000/month, シルシル for Insights at ¥30,000/month.
4. Data Analytics and Consulting: Revenue from Digital Dissection (人流分析) service packages offering tiered analysis of visitor demographics, movement patterns, and spending behavior for tourism promotion.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Nishinippon Shimbun Media Lab Co., Ltd. is a digital media solutions provider offering location-based mobile advertising (LocAD X), video production, web design and development, article/content creation, and AI-powered platforms. It also operates regional media properties such as Fanfun Fukuoka and delivers digital audio advertising (MiMiAD), integrated print-digital advertising packages (LOCAL SAND), and people-flow analytics (Kaitai). The company primarily serves local governments, regional enterprises, and SMEs across Fukuoka and Kyushu, with growing national reach.

Product overview

Nishinippon Shimbun Media Lab Co. operates as a full-service digital creative agency and media production company, offering a platform-plus-services model anchored by its location-based advertising service LocAD X and supplemented by AI-powered tools (Sirusiru, TextMagic AI-OCR), digital media properties (Fan Fun Fukuoka), video production, web development, content creation, and advertising promotion. The core advertising technology stack includes LocAD X (geofencing ad delivery), MiMiAD (digital audio), LOCAL SAND (print+digital integrated), aumo Biz+ (tourism DX), and Kaitai/デジタル解体新書 (people-flow analytics); AI capabilities center on knowledge retrieval (Sirusiru for Knowledge), process automation (AI-OCR), predictive analytics (GA4-based web insights), and generative AI (AI narration for video). The company also provides human capital management via ポテンシャルクラウド and live streaming via Tsunagu+. Together these products and services form a one-stop digital marketing, content production, and DX support ecosystem serving local governments, regional businesses, and enterprise clients across Kyushu and nationwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LocAD X (ロカドクロス): Location-based smartphone advertising service leveraging GPS data to deliver targeted ads to users based on their real-world visit history and behavior patterns.
• MiMiAD (ミミアド)
• LOCAL SAND (ローカルサンド)
• aumo Biz + 西日本新聞
• ポテンシャルクラウド (Potential Cloud)
• デジタル解体新書 (Digital Dissection)
• HRハッカー (HR Hacker)
• TextMagic
• ファンファン福岡 (Fanfun Fukuoka)
• N-studio TENJIN
• sirusiru (シルシル)

Products and services

• LocAD X (ロカドクロス) GPS-based location-targeting smartphone advertising service delivering ads to users based on their past 18-month visit history. Supports geofenced polygons (1m precision) or circles (100m+ radius) targeting. Reaches 70,000+ apps/websites including major social platforms. Used by local governments, agencies, and regional enterprises for geo-targeted promotions.
• MiMiAD (ミミアド) Digital audio advertising service delivering skip-proof audio ads between songs on Spotify, between programs on radiko, and within podcasts. Offers audience targeting by prefecture, demographics, and playlist-derived interests. Two plans available: Simple (from ¥300,000) and Mix plans.
• LOCAL SAND (ローカルサンド) Integrated local brand awareness advertising package combining print newspaper ads (Nishinippon Shimbun, Fanfun Fukuoka free paper, flyer distribution) with digital targeting (LocAD+, search ads) for local area promotion starting from ¥200,000.
• aumo Biz + 西日本新聞 Next-generation local marketing support package for regional businesses and municipalities combining Google Maps SEO/MEO, Instagram management, and Nishinippon Shimbun editorial content production. Priced at ¥70,000/month (annual contract) including aumo facility page, GBP integration, Instagram linking, and biannual article placement.
• Kaitai (デジタル解体新書) People flow analysis service using GPS data, payment/settlement data, and social media location data to analyze visitor demographics, travel patterns, and consumption behavior for regional areas. Integrates with Nightley's CITY INSIGHT platform. Three tiers: Mini, Middle, and Big.
• ポテンシャルクラウド (Potential Cloud) Human capital management tool developed with IJIGEN GROUP that runs organizational surveys, analyzes employee strengths and potential issues by department/location/age/level, and designs improvement menus via consultants for employee motivation, retention, and management skill development.
• Sirusiru (シルシル) AI platform service with two modules: Sirusiru for Knowledge (AI-powered internal knowledge Q&A from documents, ¥50,000/month) and Sirusiru for Insights (GA4 web analytics with AI-powered trend analysis and improvement recommendations, ¥30,000/month). Operates on Google Cloud with encryption and no AI model training on client data.
• N-studio TENJIN Communication studio in central Imaizumi, Fukuoka offering video recording, live streaming, and content production facilities with professional equipment for corporate, government, and individual clients.
• ファンファン福岡 (Fanfun Fukuoka) Regional community-focused media site covering Fukuoka with approximately 350万 PV/month and 160万 UU/month (2024 average). Covers gourmet, outings, lifestyle, learning, and columns. LINE audience 43万, Instagram 1.5万, Facebook 1.3万, X 2.1万.
• Tsunagu+ (ツナグ+) LIVE and online streaming service leveraging TV and corporate video production expertise. Multi-camera setups, professional direction, and integration with Zoom, YouTube LIVE, Webex and other platforms; plans from ¥80,000.
• #PR (ハッシュピーアール) News-format video production and targeted delivery service. Produces original news-style videos and delivers them as in-stream ads on video platforms with guaranteed 100,000+ views, targeting by area, demographics, and interests. Priced from ¥1,000,000.
• Piriri Local social media support service combining Instagram account management with geo-targeted advertising for local branding and fan acquisition. Provides guaranteed ad impression volumes alongside organic posting and reporting.
• HRハッカー (HR Hacker) No-code recruitment website builder that auto-publishes job listings to Indeed, Google, and 8 major job search engines; covers site creation, job distribution, and applicant management for small-to-mid-sized and regional companies.
• 映像制作 (Video Production) Corporate branding videos, TV program production, and local government PR video production services. Handles full production from planning through filming and editing, including documentary-style works, short dramas, promotional clips, and high-resolution 4K/8K drone footage.
• WEB制作・開発 (Web Production/Development) Corporate website, owned media, B2B sites, and recruitment website production with system development capabilities. Includes CMS-based content management, data analysis infrastructure, and e-commerce site development.
• 広告・プロモーション (Advertising/Promotion) Local area promotion and media planning services combining traditional print (Nishinippon Shimbun, Fanfun Fukuoka) with digital advertising (LocAD X, social media, search) for integrated regional brand campaigns.
• 記事コンテンツ制作 (Article/Content Production) Web article writing, reporting, and SEO-optimized content production leveraging Nishinippon Shimbun editorial expertise across finance, healthcare, lifestyle, and local community topics.
• メディア開発・運営 (Media Development/Operation) Operation of regional media properties including Fanfun Fukuoka (350万PV/month) and niche verticals covering finance, healthcare, beauty, and end-of-life planning, totaling over 300万PV monthly.

Quantifiable outcome

• Kawatana Town tourism PR video and special website produced for visitor expansion
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers19 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

AI capability12 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered foundational, core and supporting.

• Chalk Digital Inc. (チョークデジタル社)foundationalTechnology or Integration · 11 July 2017Strategic partnership with US-based Chalk Digital for location-based mobile advertising platform technology. Nishinippon Shimbun invested in Chalk Digital and Nishinippon Shimbun Media Lab entered a technology licensing and operational partnership to launch LocAD location advertising service. This partnership provided the foundational technology for the company's location-based advertising business.
• 株式会社ナイトレイ (Nightley Inc.)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership for people flow data analysis. Nightley's 'CITY INSIGHT'人流データ analysis platform is integrated with Media Lab's digital promotion services to offer 'Digital Dissection' (デジタル解体新書) service combining location analytics with content promotion. Companies co-host seminars on location data and tourism promotion.
• イジゲングループ株式会社 (Ijigen Group)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness partnership for DX support for regional enterprises. Ijigen Group provides 'Potential Cloud' organizational diagnosis service while Media Lab provides digital content creation and promotion support. Partnership combines organizational strength analysis with digital marketing to support regional SME DX transformation.
• 河北新報社, 福島民報, 下野新聞社, 上毛新聞社, 信濃毎日新聞, 新潟日報社, 北日本新聞社, 中日新聞社, 熊本日日新聞, 沖縄タイムス社, 西日本新聞社 (11 regional newspaper companies)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocAD X Area Partner network of 11 regional newspaper companies across Tohoku, Kanto, Chubu, Hokuriku, Chugoku, and Kyushu regions. Each partner resells LocAD X location-based advertising to local enterprise and government clients in their respective regions, extending Media Lab's service reach nationally.
• グリーエックス株式会社 (GreeX Co., Ltd.)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness partnership for AI-powered tourism DX. GreeX provides digital marketing automation tools while Media Lab provides regional media and content creation capabilities. Jointly offer 'aumo Biz + 西日本新聞' package combining AI agents for SEO/MEO, ad operations, content marketing, and influencer marketing for Kyushu tourism businesses and local governments.
• 株式会社オトナル (Otonal Inc.)supportingTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for digital audio advertising service 'MiMiAD'. Otonal provides its digital audio advertising platform and technology, integrated with Media Lab's creative production capabilities and local client network for audio ad delivery on Spotify, radiko, and Podcast platforms.
• 株式会社東日本新聞メディアラボ・AIソリューションズ (Nishinippon Shimbun Media Lab AI Solutions)coreOthersRelated company (subsidiary/affiliate) co-founded with MOT Sogo Kenkyusho and partnered with SENSY Inc. Operates 'DX.WITH' web media and provides AI solution services. AI Solutions is a separate entity that develops and offers AI-powered services.
• aumo (by グリーエックス)supportingTechnology or Integrationaumo local platform technology utilized within 'aumo Biz + 西日本新聞' service for multilingual tourism content and local business promotion. Platform provides the digital infrastructure for tourism DX initiatives targeting both domestic and inbound visitors.
• LBMA Japan (的位置ビジネス＆マーケティングアソシエーション)supportingOthersMember of LBMA Japan (Location Business & Marketing Association), a non-profit industry organization with 101 member companies (as of May 2025). Association promotes location data utilization in marketing and business. Media Lab participates in LBMA events and summits as co-organizer.
• Google CloudsupportingTechnology or IntegrationAI platform service 'Sil-siru' (シルシル) is built on Google Cloud infrastructure with encrypted data processing and AI learning disabled to ensure security. Google Cloud provides the cloud infrastructure for AI knowledge management and analytics services.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• PLAID: PLAID provides a location data analytics platform (KARTE Signals) used by Japanese enterprises for real-time customer behavior and location intelligence. It is the closest direct competitor to LocAD X in Japan's location-data-and-activation space, addressing similar marketing, analytics, and product use cases.
• BrainPad: BrainPad is a Japanese data analytics and AI solutions firm serving marketing and DX clients. Both companies deliver analytics platforms (BrainPad's marketing analytics vs. Media Lab's Sirusiru/Digital Dissection) to enterprise clients, with overlapping use cases in measurement, AI, and customer insight.
• D.A. Consortium: D.A. Consortium is one of Japan's leading digital advertising agencies, providing media planning/buying, creative, and data-driven campaign operations. Its mix of agency services + ad-tech platform offerings closely mirrors Media Lab's full-service digital marketing + LocAD X platform position.
• Septeni Holdings: Septeni is a Tokyo-based digital advertising and marketing group with agency services, programmatic ad buying, and data-driven campaign execution. Media Lab and Septeni both operate as Japan-focused digital marketing + ad-tech hybrids serving enterprise and mid-market clients with measurable campaign outcomes.
• LocationMind: LocationMind is a Japan-based location intelligence company built out of the University of Tokyo, providing geospatial data infrastructure for retail, mobility, and marketing. Its location-data platform directly overlaps with Media Lab's LocAD X and Digital Dissection analytics offerings.
• Geniee: Geniee is a Japanese ad-tech firm providing programmatic DSP and digital advertising solutions across Asia. As a Japan-based ad-tech competitor with international growth ambitions, it parallels Media Lab's transition from regional agency to scaled ad platform.

Broad incumbents

• CyberAgent: CyberAgent operates one of Japan's largest internet advertising businesses (including its flagship vertical ad platform and digital agency units). It is much larger and more diversified than Media Lab but competes in the same Japanese digital advertising and agency space.
• Hakuhodo: Hakuhodo is Japan's second-largest advertising agency, with full creative, media, and digital practices. As a broad incumbent, it competes for the same enterprise and government clients Media Lab serves, though at a much larger scale and across broader geographies.
• Dentsu: Dentsu is the world's largest advertising agency group headquartered in Tokyo, with broad media, creative, and digital capabilities. Its Japanese full-service agency presence competes for the same enterprise and government marketing spend that Media Lab addresses at a regional level.

Emerging players

• All About: All About operates a curated Japanese content platform and digital marketing solutions for lifestyle and information categories. It shares Media Lab's content-first positioning but focuses on national lifestyle verticals rather than regional promotion services.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/nnp.medialab

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Nishinippon Shimbun Media Lab Co.