FM BIRD
FM BIRD is a Tokyo-based, 31-year-old talent management agency managing and dispatching bilingual radio DJs, narrators, MCs, and media personalities to Japanese broadcasters, corporate event organizers, and brand clients, with integrated Academy training and audio content production divisions.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1994
- HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What FM BIRD does
FM BIRD Co., Ltd. (株式会社FM BIRD) is a Tokyo-based talent management and audio content production company founded in 1994 as Japan's first bilingual DJ talent management agency. The company operates three integrated business pillars: (1) Talent Management Services — managing and dispatching radio DJs, narrators, MCs, media personalities, and podcasters to broadcasters including TOKYO FM, J-WAVE, FM Yokohama, FM FUJI, and NHK, as well as to corporate clients for events, TV, video narration, and VIP interviews; (2) FM BIRD Academy — a professional training division offering structured courses (Personality Basic, Personality Advanced, MC/Host Training, and Business Executive) with a cumulative 3,000+ alumni base; and (3) Audio Content Production — radio program and podcast planning, production, and direction, including branded podcasts and radio commercials.
The company's revenue model is service-based and diversified across talent dispatch fees (project-by-project appearance fees), Academy course tuition (one-time payments per course term via credit card or bank transfer), content production fees, and direct e-commerce merchandise sales through its official online store. Customer segments span broadcasting/media companies, corporate event organizers, brand and marketing departments (Mazda, freee, Wani, Indeed, IVRy, ORTHOFEET, JR East/NewDays, Hitachi), and individual aspiring media professionals. Talent are primarily bilingual (English, French, German) and cover radio, TV, podcast, event MC, commercial narration, and executive speech coaching use cases.
Headquartered in the Ebisu/Daikanyama area of Tokyo (relocated late 2025), FM BIRD became a group company of Otonaru Co., Ltd. in April 2026 — a Tokyo-based digital audio advertising company that acquired FM BIRD's shares to combine talent management and broadcast production with digital audio media and marketing capabilities. President Makiko Nagakura (長倉シュタッフ牧子), the founder-era leader, remains in her role post-acquisition while Otonaru representatives joined the board. FM BIRD's distribution is direct (website contact form, phone) with no third-party reseller channels, and its geographic operations are Japan-domestic only.
FM BIRD firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- FM BIRD
- Legal name
- 株式会社 FM BIRD
- Website
- https://fmbird.jp
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1994
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- FM BIRD is a Tokyo-based, 31-year-old talent management agency managing and dispatching bilingual radio DJs, narrators, MCs, and media personalities to Japanese broadcasters, corporate event organizers, and brand clients, with integrated Academy training and audio content production divisions.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
FM BIRD industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Talent Management Services
- NAICS
- Other Sound Recording Industries (512290)
- SIC
- Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832), Television Broadcasting Stations (4833)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Event Production Talent (AV Techs, Stagehands, Lighting/Sound Ops) (HSACAHAH)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Party DJ, Music & Audio Services (HSACACAI)
Keywords
Where FM BIRD is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokyo
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
FM BIRD business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Talent Management & Dispatch: FM BIRD manages and dispatches radio DJs, media personalities, narrators, and MCs to clients including broadcasters, brands, and event organizers. Revenue is generated through talent appearance fees for radio programs, TV appearances, event hosting, and commercial narration. Talent are represented across major Japanese media outlets including TOKYO FM, J-WAVE, FM Yokohama, FM FUJI, NHK-FM, BS-TBS, BS Fuji, and others.
- FM BIRD Academy (Training Courses): The company operates FM BIRD Academy, offering structured courses for aspiring media personalities: パーソナリティ基礎コース (Personality Basic), パーソナリティ上級コース (Personality Advanced), MC/司会者養成コース, and ビジネスエグゼクティブコース. Revenue is generated through course fees charged to students. Payment methods include credit card and bank transfer, with one-time payment per course term.
- Content Production (Radio CM & Podcasts): FM BIRD produces audio content including radio commercials and branded podcasts. For example, the company produced the TRUST DELETE Zero radio CM for Wani Co., Ltd., airing across TOKYO FM and 37 other JFN stations. Production fees are charged for commercial production work.
- Official Merchandise Store: FM BIRD operates an official online store (fmbird.stores.jp) selling merchandise featuring talent such as 綿谷エリナ, including stickers, acrylic stands, and books authored by talent (e.g., 渡邉康太郎's 「生きるための表現手引き」). Revenue generated through direct e-commerce sales.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | パーソナリティ基礎コース - Entry-level personality/training course |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
FM BIRD product offering
Product offeringCore offering
FM BIRD is a Japanese talent management agency and audio content producer that manages and dispatches radio DJs, narrators, MCs, and bilingual media personalities to broadcasters, brands, and event organizers. It also operates FM BIRD Academy, providing structured training courses for aspiring media personalities and corporate communications, and produces radio programs, podcasts, and radio commercials. The company runs an official e-commerce store selling talent-related merchandise and books.
Product overview
FM BIRD is a comprehensive voice and media talent company operating three interconnected business pillars: (1) Talent Management Services for managing and dispatching radio DJs, media personalities, narrators, MCs, and podcasters; (2) FM BIRD Academy providing professional training courses including Personality Basic, Personality Advanced, MC/Host Training, and Business Executive programs; and (3) Audio Content Production services for planning and producing radio programs, podcasts, and custom audio content. Founded in 1994 as Japan's first bilingual DJ specialist agency, the company joined Otonaru Group in April 2026 and is headquartered in Ebisu/Daikanyama area of Tokyo.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Talent Management & Dispatch Services Management and dispatch of radio DJs, media personalities, narrators, MCs, and bilingual/multilingual podcasters to broadcasters, brands, and event organizers. Talent are placed on national and local Japanese radio stations (TOKYO FM, J-WAVE, FM Yokohama, FM FUJI, NHK), TV networks (BS-TBS, BS Fuji, BS NTV), corporate events, and brand campaigns.
- FM BIRD Academy — Personality Basic Course (パーソナリティ基礎コース) Entry-level professional training course for aspiring media personalities, radio DJs, and MCs. Covers on-air speaking skills, media presence, and presentation techniques. Students pay a one-time course fee and may be scouted by FM BIRD for talent representation based on performance.
- FM BIRD Academy — Personality Advanced Course (パーソナリティ上級コース) Advanced-level training for media personalities, focusing on advanced on-air techniques, interviewing, and program hosting. Targets students who have completed the Basic Course or have equivalent experience.
- FM BIRD Academy — MC/Host Training Course (司会者養成コース) Professional training program for aspiring event MCs, ceremony hosts, and corporate event emcees. Builds skills in event hosting, audience engagement, and professional stage presence.
- FM BIRD Academy — Business Executive Course (ビジネスエグゼクティブ向けコース) Private coaching program for executives and business professionals seeking to improve presentation, public speaking, and speech delivery for high-stakes business contexts. Curriculum is customized to the client's goals, schedule, and content needs.
- Audio Content Production Services Planning, producing, and directing of audio content including radio programs, podcasts, and radio commercials. Includes event planning, casting, and custom content creation. Notable work includes the TRUST DELETE Zero radio CM for Wani Co., Ltd. (aired across TOKYO FM and 37 JFN stations), the Mazda branded podcast (マツダつくりたいラジオ), and TAKRAM RADIO with J-WAVE.
- FM BIRD New Talent Audition (FM BIRD新人オーディション) Annual audition program for aspiring media personalities, radio DJs, YouTubers, narrators, and essayists, targeting applicants aged 18-30. Nationality and prior experience are not required. Successful candidates are signed to FM BIRD's talent roster for representation.
- FM BIRD Official Online Store (fmbird.stores.jp) Official e-commerce storefront selling merchandise featuring FM BIRD talent (including stickers and acrylic stands), books authored by talent (e.g., 渡邉康太郎's 「生きるための表現手引き」), and event tickets. Operates seasonal promotions such as Golden Week sales.
Quantifiable outcome
- 3,000+ individuals trained through Academy seminars across multiple decades
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use FM BIRD
Customer profileNamed customers14 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
FM BIRD technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
FM BIRD partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Otonaru Co., Ltd. (株式会社オトナル)coreIn April 2026, Otonaru Co., Ltd., a Tokyo-based digital audio advertising company, acquired shares of FM BIRD and welcomed FM BIRD as a group company. The acquisition aims to combine FM BIRD's talent management and broadcast production capabilities with Otonaru's digital audio media and marketing expertise to expand opportunities in Japan's growing digital audio advertising market. FM BIRD's President Makiko Nagakura remains in her role while Otonaru representatives join as directors.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
FM BIRD competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- ADK (Asatsu-DK): ADK is a major Japanese advertising and content production group with growing audio/podcast production capabilities and existing relationships with broadcasters. Comparable to FM BIRD in audio content production and broadcaster-side work, though at much larger scale.
- 東北新社 (Tohokushinsha): Tohokushinsha is a Japanese media company specializing in audio production, post-production, and broadcast content, with significant radio commercial and narration work. Comparable to FM BIRD's audio content production and CM narration services.
Broad incumbents
- Stardust Promotion: Stardust Promotion is a large Japanese talent agency with divisions covering actors, models, and media personalities. It competes with FM BIRD in the broader Japanese talent management space, particularly for media personality and event MC roles.
- Horipro: Horipro is one of Japan's largest talent agencies with a broad portfolio spanning media personalities, announcers, and event MCs. While much larger and more diversified, it competes with FM BIRD in the same on-air talent and event MC categories.
- Amuse Inc. Amuse is a Japanese entertainment company managing artists and media talent across music, acting, and broadcasting. While artist-focused, it overlaps with FM BIRD in managing on-air personalities and is similarly Japan-based.
- Oscar Promotion: Oscar Promotion is a long-standing Japanese talent agency with broad coverage of media personalities, actors, and event MCs. It competes with FM BIRD for corporate event MC and on-air talent bookings in Japan.
- LDH Japan: LDH Japan is a large Japanese entertainment and talent management group that represents artists, actors, and media personalities. While primarily music/fashion-focused, it is comparable to FM BIRD as a Japanese talent agency with significant brand event and media presence.
Direct peers
- Music Ray'n: Music Ray'n is a Japanese talent agency managing actors, models, and media personalities with active divisions for announcers, narrators, and event talent — directly comparable to FM BIRD's core talent dispatch business.
- VIMS: VIMS is a Japanese talent agency representing actors, narrators, and media personalities, with significant presence in voice-over, MC, and event work — overlapping with FM BIRD's roster of MCs, narrators, and event hosts.
- Sony Music Artists: Sony Music Artists is a major Japanese talent management arm of Sony Music that represents announcers, narrators, DJs, and media personalities for broadcast, events, and commercial work — directly comparable to FM BIRD's talent management and dispatch business.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
FM BIRD social profiles
Digital presenceFM BIRD financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
FM BIRD leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
FM BIRD funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
FM BIRD M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about FM BIRD
What does FM BIRD do?
FM BIRD is a Japanese talent management agency and audio content producer that manages and dispatches radio DJs, narrators, MCs, and bilingual media personalities to broadcasters, brands, and event organizers. It also operates FM BIRD Academy, providing structured training courses for aspiring media personalities and corporate communications, and produces radio programs, podcasts, and radio commercials. The company runs an official e-commerce store selling talent-related merchandise and books.
Is FM BIRD a public or private company?
FM BIRD is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was FM BIRD founded?
FM BIRD was founded in 1994. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is FM BIRD based?
FM BIRD is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does FM BIRD make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Talent Management & Dispatch is the primary driver. The others are FM BIRD Academy (Training Courses), content Production (Radio CM & Podcasts) and official Merchandise Store.
Who are FM BIRD's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are ADK (Asatsu-DK) and 東北新社 (Tohokushinsha). Broad incumbents are Stardust Promotion, Horipro, Amuse Inc., Oscar Promotion and LDH Japan. Direct peers are Music Ray'n, VIMS and Sony Music Artists.
Does FM BIRD have an API?
No public API is recorded for FM BIRD.
What industry is FM BIRD in?
FM BIRD's product category is Talent Management Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSACAHAH, Event Production Talent (AV Techs, Stagehands, Lighting/Sound Ops), with a secondary code of HSACACAI, Party DJ, Music & Audio Services. Its NAICS code is 512290 and its SIC code is 4832.