What Vector does

Vector Inc. (株式会社ベクトル) is a Tokyo-headquartered, publicly listed (TSE Prime: 6058) integrated communications group founded in 1993, ranked Asia's No.1 PR firm in PRovoke Media's Global Top 250 for 2024 and 2025. The company operates through a holding structure of 30+ consolidated subsidiaries spanning PR strategy and execution (Antil, Platinum, Initial, VECKS, KRIK, gracemode, AILES, Top Creators, Public Affairs Japan), press release distribution (PR TIMES - Japan's No.1 platform with 100,000+ subscribers and ~60% of listed companies using the service), digital marketing (Keyword Marketing programmatic advertising for 1,500+ clients, NewsTV, News Technology's GROWTH/Canvas/BREAK media, Brand Cloud ORM), HR and recruitment (JOBTV video recruitment platform, BUSiCONET staffing, FINDAWAY, Upgrade), AI products (AvaMo, PRai, AI Vertical Video), web solutions (Clipkit CMS, The Shanaiho, Jooto, Tayori), and investment/venture support (32+ IPO'd portfolio companies). The group serves enterprise corporations, mid-market growth companies, SMBs, and venture/IPO-target companies across Japan and 8 international locations spanning China, Taiwan, Korea, and the United States.

Vector's technology stack combines proprietary AI tools (AvaMo for text-to-video generation with 120 AI virtual talents, PRai for PR automation using a proprietary 7D Method framework priced at ¥25,000/month, AI Vertical Video for automated highlight extraction and SNS format conversion), SaaS platforms (Clipkit CMS serving 750+ clients, Jooto project management, Tayori customer service, The Shanaiho internal bulletin board), owned media assets (GROWTH Tokyo's largest taxi signage, Canvas vehicle window media, BREAK office signage, McGuffin culture video platform, Venture TV startup media), and digital marketing infrastructure (programmatic advertising, influencer marketing, ORM technology from US-developed frameworks). Revenue is generated through professional services fees (PR consulting retainers and project work across subsidiary agencies), platform subscriptions (PR TIMES, Clipkit, JOBTV, PRai), advertising sales (taxi signage, programmatic media), HR-related fees (placement and recruitment), investment returns, and D2C product sales (Vitabrid life technology products with globally patented technology). Go-to-market combines enterprise field sales via the subsidiary network, self-serve PLG platforms for SMBs, channel partnerships through cross-selling subsidiaries, and community-led motions via media ventures.

The company maintains enterprise-grade compliance with ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification across 9 group companies, is included in the JPX-Nikkei Mid and Small Cap Index and FTSE Blossom Japan Sector Relative Index (ESG benchmark), and has earned multiple workplace certifications including Kurumin (childcare support), Eruboshi 3-Star (women's advancement), and Health Management Excellent Corporation designation. Notable named clients include TV Tokyo Corporation (for AI-powered TikTok content) and enterprise clients in beauty, finance, entertainment, and consumer goods sectors. Ownership is diversified with Freeway Inc. as the largest shareholder (27.94%) and founder/CEO Keiji Nishie holding 12.19%, with no parent company or majority controller.

Name

Vector

Legal name

VECTOR INC.

Website

https://vectorinc.co.jp

Company type

Public

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Vector Inc. is a Tokyo-headquartered, publicly listed (TSE Prime: 6058) integrated communications group and Asia's No.1 PR firm, operating 30+ subsidiaries spanning PR consulting, press release distribution (PR TIMES), digital marketing, HR tech, and AI products, serving enterprise corporations and SMBs across Japan and eight international markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Relations and Communications Services

akta.pro primary industry

Marketing Automation & Campaign Management CRM (HDAEAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Enterprise AI Data & Knowledge Platforms (Vector Databases, Knowledge Graphs) (HDAEANAH), Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), Vector Databases & Knowledge Grounding (HDAAACAE), Social, Community & Creator Platform Feeds (HDAAAGAD)

Keywords

• Public relations services
• Press release distribution
• Digital marketing services
• AI video generation
• Corporate communications

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices14 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. PR Consulting and Strategy Services: Core revenue stream from PR strategy planning and execution, branding, and integrated communications across multiple subsidiary agencies (ANTIL, Platinum, INITIAL, VECKS, KRIK, etc.). Revenue is project-based and retainer-based for enterprise clients.
2. PR TIMES Platform (Press Release Distribution): Japan's No.1 news distribution platform with 100,000+ subscribing companies and ~60% of listed companies as clients. Over 2 million press releases published. Revenue from platform subscriptions and premium services.
3. Digital Marketing Services: NewsTV taxi signage media (GROWTH, Canvas), office smoking area signage (BREAK), programmatic advertising, influencer marketing, and short video production. Revenue from media sales, advertising campaigns, and creative fees.
4. HR and Recruitment Services: JOBTV video recruitment platform, recruitment branding, HR media (CareeReco, EvoWork), temporary staffing matching (Haken Connect), and HR tech platforms (BUSiCONET, FINDAWAY). Revenue from platform fees, recruitment placement fees, and subscription services.
5. Investment and Venture Business: Investment in quality startups targeting IPO, providing PR/IR support. 32+ portfolio companies (including subsidiaries) have gone public. Revenue from investment returns and advisory fees.
6. Direct Marketing (D2C): Vitabrid Japan (life technology products, mail-order), Japan entry (global brand entry into Japan), and Vitabrid C extended-release mask. Revenue from product sales.
7. Web Solutions and SaaS: Clipkit CMS (SaaS), The Shanaiho internal bulletin board service (SaaS, 750+ clients), and Offshore Company IT/DX solutions. Revenue from SaaS subscriptions and project fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Vector Inc. is a Japanese communications group that delivers integrated PR, digital marketing, HR, and direct-to-consumer services through a network of subsidiary agencies and proprietary platforms. Its flagship PR TIMES platform connects 100,000+ subscribing companies (approximately 60% of Japan's listed companies) to media and consumers, while AI-driven products (AvaMo, PRai), Clipkit CMS, JOBTV recruitment, GROWTH taxi media, and Brand Cloud ORM extend the offering into technology-enabled communications, video production, recruitment, and reputation management.

Product overview

Vector Inc. (株式会社ベクトル) is a comprehensive communications group operating as a platform-plus-services model. The core offerings include: (1) PR business with multiple subsidiary agencies (Antil, Platinum, Initial, VECKS, Starbank, Public Affairs Japan, Kansai, Evech, KRIK, gracemode, AILES, Kyushu, Top Creators) providing PR strategy and execution; (2) PR TIMES platform - Japan's No.1 press release distribution service with related products (PR TIMES TV, Jooto project management, Tayori customer service, STRAIGHT PRESS news, PR EDGE ad gallery, PR TIMES MAGAZINE); (3) HR/recruitment platforms including JOBTV video recruitment platform, BUSiCONET staffing services, FINDAWAY recruitment consulting, and Upgrade AI-DX training; (4) Digital marketing services (NewsTV video distribution, News Technology taxi/media signage GROWTH/Canvas/BREAK/McGuffin, Brand Cloud reputation management, Keyword Marketing programmatic advertising, Digital Advertising Strategy); (5) AI products including AvaMo (AI talent video generation), AI Vertical Video, and PRai (AI PR automation); (6) Web solutions (Clipkit CMS, The Shanaiho internal communications, Offshore Company IT development); (7) Investment/venture support with 32 listed portfolio companies; (8) Direct marketing (Vitabrid Japan life technology products). The group operates across 10+ countries with 8 overseas locations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PR TIMES: Japan's No.1 press release distribution platform with over 100,000 subscribing companies
• JOBTV
• NewsTV
• Clipkit
• Vitabrid
• GROWTH
• Canvas
• BREAK
• Venture TV
• AvaMo
• Connect Tokyo Gourmet
• McGuffin
• Jooto
• Tayori
• WEBCOACH
• Starbank
• Haken Connect
• CareeReco
• EvoWork

Products and services

• PR Consulting and Strategy Services Core PR strategy planning and execution services for enterprise clients delivered through Vector's subsidiary agencies (ANTIL, Platinum, INITIAL, VECKS, KRIK, gracemode, AILES, Top Creators, Public Affairs Japan). Includes branding, financial PR, crisis communications, media relations, influencer marketing, social media management, and integrated communications.
• PR TIMES Japan's No.1 press release distribution platform with 100,000+ subscribing companies (approximately 60% of Japan's listed companies) and over 2 million press releases published. Operated by subsidiary PR TIMES Corporation. Connects companies with media and consumers via subscription-based platform with premium services.
• AvaMo (AI Talent Video Generation) Japan's first AI talent video generation service developed by Offshore Company Inc. Generates narration-accompanied high-quality videos from text input using 120 AI virtual talents. Reduces production man-hours by approximately 90% and supports advertising, promotional materials, sales materials, and training content.
• PRai AI SaaS launched by subsidiary Antil Co., Ltd. that automates and standardizes public relations tasks using the proprietary '7D Method' evaluation framework. Priced at 25,000 yen per month. Evaluates press releases, provides improvement suggestions, and generates content based on social value evaluation.
• AI Vertical Video (AI縦型動画) AI service that automatically extracts highlights from long-form videos (1-hour footage to 30-second to 20-minute shorts) and converts to SNS-optimized vertical format. Supports distribution on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. Adopted by major business media.
• Clipkit CMS Proprietary website construction CMS developed and sold by Web Service Development Division. Offered as SaaS shared environment, SaaS dedicated environment, or on-premises installation. CMP functionality launched April 2026.
• The Shanaiho Web-based internal bulletin construction service powered by Clipkit. Adopted by more than 750 client companies for internal branding and communication, with security and server maintenance support included.
• JOBTV Video-based recruitment platform connecting companies with job seekers. Includes JOBTV Media (SNS/video/event engagement ecosystem), JOBTV Recruitment Branding (video production and SNS distribution), JOBTV Events (in-person assessment events), New Graduate Agent, Mid-career Agent, and Recruitment Marketing.
• GROWTH Tokyo's largest taxi mobility media delivering video ads and content inside taxis. Operated by News Technology Inc. with planned expansion to Taiwan targeting 7,000 taxis by 2028.
• Canvas Japan's first mobility vehicle window signage service utilizing vacant taxis in Tokyo to display advertisements on rear side windows.
• BREAK Office smoking area signage media service delivering video advertisements and original content suited to break times for office workers.
• Brand Cloud Reputation risk management and online reputation management (ORM) services operated by Brand Cloud Inc. Uses proprietary technology grounded in US theories and expertise, combined with know-how from international lawyers and white hackers. Includes ORM technology, reputational damage cloud, and brand lifting services.
• NewsTV Service operated by NewsTV Inc. that converts news about companies, products, and services into video content at no cost and distributes to targeted audiences via one of Japan's largest ad networks.
• Keyword Marketing Programmatic Advertising Performance-based advertising with proprietary marketing analysis methods and programmatic advertising management. 20 years of experience. Supported over 1,500 companies across 150 industries as of February 2025. Operated by Keyword Marketing Inc.
• FINDAWAY Human resource recruitment consulting business operated by FINDAWAY Co., Ltd., guiding companies to successful hiring through advertising and detailed strategies. Also operates employment/career support and human resource development businesses.
• BUSiCONET (Haken Connect) Services operated by BUSiCONET Inc. connecting job seekers with temp agencies, career change services, and temp agencies with companies. Haken Connect service surpassed 3,000 cumulative referrals in February 2024.
• Venture TV One of Japan's largest media platforms for startups featuring promising startups, helping facilitate connections between startup companies and investors. Investor directory launched November 2024.
• Vitabrid Japan Direct-to-Consumer Products Life technology products including Vitabrid C extended release mask and functional foods, sold via mail-order. Vitabrid has obtained global patents and is recognized among the world's 8 most promising cutting-edge technologies. Operated by Vitabrid Japan Inc.
• Japan entry Global Brand Entry Support Supports global brands entering the Japanese market aiming for top market share, with focus on cutting-edge global beauty tech products. Provides one-stop support including brand growth, retail, and wholesale operations. Operated by Japan entry Inc.
• KRIK Financial Communications PR PR support for financial and capital markets operated by KRIK Inc., including M&A, TOB, and activist communications. Services include crisis communication, media training, and communication consulting.
• Top Creators Short-Form Video Services Professional short-form video production company established as Top Creators Inc. within Vector Group in October 2025. Top influencers with hundreds of thousands to millions of followers handle end-to-end SNS marketing from strategy to content production and distribution. Operates Connect Tokyo Gourmet food-focused SNS media with approximately 400,000 followers.
• AILES Social Media Marketing Social media professionals operated by AILES Inc. specializing in Instagram and TikTok marketing. Provides 30-second emotional marketing solutions. Services include AILELEAD (SNS strategy and content), instalab (Instagram community with 10,000+ members), and SkillUp (coaching).

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% reduction in video production man-hours using AvaMo AI talent video generation
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• 代々木アニメーション学院minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Vector's Offshore Company co-produced 'AI Programming College' with 代々木アニメーション学院 (Yoyogi Animation Academy), launching April 2026. CEO Noro supervised the curriculum, combining Vector's AI expertise with Yoyogi's education platform.
• gracemode K.K.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 April 2025Vector acquired gracemode K.K., a company specializing in PR and digital marketing for the beauty and cosmetics sector, to strengthen Vector's social media marketing capabilities. The acquisition combines gracemode's beauty/cosmetics sector expertise with Vector's existing PR services, enhancing market position in beauty PR.
• OwnedcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 July 2023Vector acquired a 66.7% stake in Owned, a Tokyo-based digital marketing firm, for 489 million yen, to enhance Vector's marketing services portfolio. Owned became a consolidated subsidiary strengthening Vector's digital marketing capabilities.
• 30% Club JapanminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2023Vector Group endorsed and joined 30% Club Japan in March 2023, a global campaign seeking to increase the percentage of women in corporate executive positions and decision-making bodies including boards of directors.
• Keyword Marketing Co., Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 December 2022Vector Inc. acquired Keyword Marketing Co., Ltd. (Tokyo-based programmatic advertising and keyword marketing company founded July 12, 2004, capital ¥11 million) as a consolidated subsidiary. Provides management agency for programmatic advertising, search engine marketing research, and training solutions.
• Ami Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 November 2022Vector acquired shares in Ami Inc., making it a consolidated subsidiary to support franchise video matching services for business expansion. Part of Vector's strategy to leverage know-how to accelerate service growth and support fast communication across industries.
• MasterVisions株式会社minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 November 2022MasterVisions株式会社 became a consolidated subsidiary of Vector Group through a third-party share allocation and capital partnership, announced by the company.
• UN Global Compact / UN Women (WEPs Signatory)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2021Vector Group signed the Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs) established by UN Global Compact and UN Women, pledging to promote active participation of women in the workplace and gender equality both inside and outside the company.
• Shogaisha Koyo BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVector partnered with Shogaisha Koyo Bank (disability employment bank) to promote employment for people with disabilities. Partnership includes donations and collaborative initiatives for inclusive employment. Aligns with Vector's materiality theme of forming an equal society.
• FTSE RussellminorOthersVector Group is included in the FTSE Blossom Japan Sector Relative Index, a sector neutral ESG benchmark by FTSE Russell reflecting companies with strong environmental, social and governance practices in Japan.
• JPX Market Innovation & Research / NikkeiminorOthersVector is included in the JPX-Nikkei Mid and Small Cap Index, a stock index jointly calculated and published by JPX Market Innovation & Research and Nikkei for middle and small market cap companies.

Scale indicators20 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Weber Shandwick: Top-3 global PR firm (IPG) with operations in Japan. Comparable to Vector in offering integrated communications, public affairs, and digital PR services to multinational and Japanese enterprise clients.
• FleishmanHillard: Major global PR firm (Omnicom) with Asia-Pacific operations including Japan. Directly comparable to Vector in delivering strategic communications, corporate PR, and integrated marketing services to enterprise clients.
• Ketchum: Global PR firm (Omnicom) with established Japan presence. Comparable to Vector in providing PR strategy, brand communications, and digital PR services, particularly to multinational brands operating in Asian markets.
• Burson: Major global PR firm (WPP) formed by merger of BCW and Hill+Knowlton. Comparable to Vector in full-service corporate communications, public affairs, and crisis management, particularly for multinational clients with Japan presence.
• Cision: Global leader in press release distribution and PR software (owner of PR Newswire). Directly comparable to PR TIMES platform in providing corporate communications distribution infrastructure, media monitoring, and PR SaaS tools.
• Edelman: World's largest independent PR firm with strong presence in Japan. Directly comparable to Vector as a full-service global PR agency serving enterprise clients, with significant overlap in PR strategy, crisis communications, and digital PR services.
• ADK Holdings: Japanese advertising and communications group with PR and digital marketing capabilities. Comparable to Vector as a domestic full-service communications provider serving enterprise clients across multiple verticals.
• Hakuhodo: Japan's largest advertising and communications group (now part of Hakuhodo DY Holdings), offering integrated PR, advertising, and digital marketing services. Comparable to Vector as a domestic PR market leader with similar full-service communications offerings and large corporate client base.

Regional players

• Kyodo News: Major Japanese news agency with PR distribution and corporate communications services. Comparable to Vector's PR TIMES and corporate communications businesses, though Kyodo's primary focus is news wire services for Japan-domestic clients.

Broad incumbents

• Dentsu: Japan-headquartered global advertising and communications giant with significant PR capabilities. Comparable to Vector as a Japanese communications leader, though Dentsu's scale and full-service advertising focus make it a broader incumbent rather than direct PR specialist.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/_vectorofficial
• Facebookfacebook.com/vectorgroup
• TikToktiktok.com/@vectortv
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vector-inc-

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Subsidiaries37 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

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

M&A15 records

Investments96 records

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

Frequently asked questions about Vector