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Horizon and Radio NIKKEI Form Comprehensive Business Partnership to Create Next-Generation Business Entertainment Using Scent & Sound

Writer's picture: Horizon Inc.Horizon Inc.

Updated: 4 days ago


Horizon Representative & Radio NIKKEI Representative
Horizon Representative & Radio NIKKEI Representative

Radio NIKKEI, a radio station of the Nikkei group with a long track record in the field of business finance and economic information, and Horizon, which is breaking new ground with the world's first “Digital Scent Streaming” technology, have entered into a comprehensive business alliance to create new business and entertainment opportunities.


1. Partnership Overview

Horizon Inc., operator of the Scent Store, a digital scent streaming service (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President: NienTsao, Tsai; hereinafter referred to as “Horizon”), has signed a comprehensive business alliance agreement with Nikkei Radio, Inc. (Head office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Shinichi Otemori; hereinafter referred to as “Radio NIKKEI”), a provider of radio programs and audio content centered on financial and economic information, in October 2024, with the aim of promoting digital scent streaming services.


Through this alliance, Radio NIKKEI's extensive network in the business market will combine with Horizon's “digital scent streaming service” technology to develop new content and advertising models. The partnership will initially focus on the B2B (Business to Business) field, and eventually aim to provide innovative experiences to the public users.


2. Background of Business Partnership

■ Horizon's Initiatives

Horizon has developed and operated the Scent Store, the world's first digital scent streaming service, and has been working on new initiatives to manage and distribute scents digitally. Currently, Horizon is focusing on strengthening the introduction of this service for B2B, with future plans to develop a dedicated diffuser for public households. Horizon will continue to expand the market in stages, while conducting sufficient verification and preparation, and propose a new lifestyle of “downloading and enjoying scents”.


■ Radio NIKKEI's Initiatives

Radio NIKKEI is a radio station that is highly acclaimed by investors and businessmen for providing accurate information on the stock market and economic news. In recent years, Radio NIKKEI has expanded and disseminated a variety of audio content, including podcasts, online distribution, and the music channel “RaNi Music♪,” and is actively trying to build a new business model by utilizing its nationwide network.


■ Collaboration that leverages each other's strengths

We have been deepening our relationship through support and advice in the full-fledged launch of our “digital scent streaming business,” and now that we have officially entered into a comprehensive business partnership, we aim to create new business entertainment that combines the strengths of both companies.


3. Synergies from Alliance and Future Prospects

  1. B2B向けプロモーションの拡大

    Utilizing Radio NIKKEI's nationwide broadcasting network, we will study and propose a new advertising model of “scent + sound” for companies. We will develop a system that brings benefits to both parties by deploying dedicated diffusers as gifts and sampling, and monitoring their advertising effectiveness and user response.

  2. Joint development of audio content

    Radio NIKKEI and Horizon will focus on the joint development of audio content, including programming and advertising plans, and will develop real-time scent streaming and customized services for corporations, based on Horizon's own Scent Store technology updates and operational enhancements. Combined with Radio NIKKEI's programs, etc., we aim to create innovative experiences that appeal to the listener's five senses.

  3. New entertainment sensations utilizing scent

    Radio NIKKEI offers a wide variety of content ranging from investment information and economic news to live horse racing. By incorporating “scent” into these programs, we will create entertainment with a more realistic sensation and explore new business opportunities that appeal to emotions and desires through demonstration tests at real venues such as event sites, hotels, and bars.

  4. Collaboration as a sales agent

    Radio NIKKEI's extensive network of corporate clients and advertisers will be utilized to strengthen support in the area of corporate sales. We aim to expand the new framework of “scent x sound” to a wide range of B2B (Business to Business) and B2C (Business to Consumer) businesses.


4. Comments

President and Representative Director, Nikkei Radio, Inc: Shinichi Otemori

We believe that “Scent x Sound” is an innovation that will expand the possibilities of radio broadcasting. By combining the business and economic information transmission know-how we gained over the years with Horizon's “digital scent streaming” technology, we will be able to create new types of advertising and programming.

We look forward to further development of this collaboration, which will bring surprise and enjoyment to listeners and provide advertisers and companies with new promotional methods.


President, Horizon Inc.: NienTsao, Tsai

We feel that being able to work with Radio NIKKEI is a major turning point for us to expand our vision of “digital scent streaming” to a wider range. We would like to start by focusing on B2B initiatives, and eventually aim to create an environment where the public users can enjoy “scent and sound” on a daily basis.

I myself have high expectations for the new content and advertising models that will be created through this partnership.


5. Scent Store

"Scent Store", a digital scent streaming service, is an innovative service that allows users to enjoy a variety of scents in their rooms using a smart diffuser. Just like choosing music, you can easily select and play your favorite scents from your smartphone or tablet, and customize the scent to suit your mood and the occasion.


6. Scent-themed LIFE MAGAZINE "Proust"

A media focusing on the moment when scent stimulates the senses and memory. Together with cultural figures, celebrities, creators, and artists active in various fields such as culture, fashion, beauty, music, art, and lifestyle, we provide a "fragrant" lifestyle for the coming era that will satisfy the body, mind, and society.



 

Company Overviews


NIKKEI RADIO BROADCASTING CORPORATION

Head Office Location: Toranomono Kotohira Tower, 1-2-8 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Representative: Shinichi Otemori, President and Representative Director

Business: A radio station of the Nihon Keizai Shimbun group, providing a variety of content via radio and the Internet, focusing on financial and economic information.

Established: Founded: July 1, 1954 / Opened: August 27, 1954


Horizon Inc.

Head Office Location: Yebisu Garden Place Tower 18F, 4-20-3 Ebisu, Shibuya City, Tokyo, Japan

Representative Director: Nien-Tsao Tsai

Business: Operation of Scent Store, a scent data streaming service, and development of Universal Scent Format, a common global format for scents

Established: February 2022

<Scent Store> https://www.scentstore.jp



 

For inquiries regarding this matter, please contact

Horizon Inc.


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