Avex Increases Stake in Brandon Silverstein’s S10 Entertainment, Plans Full Ownership

Avex ups ownership stake in Brandon Silverstein’s S10 Entertainment, with an agreement to reach 100% over time

September 29, 2026 By Mandy Dalugdug

Japanese entertainment company Avex Inc. has increased its ownership of S10 Entertainment , the management company founded by Brandon Silverstein .

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The Tokyo-listed firm has bought shares in S10 from Silverstein and his partners. The deal increases Avex’s ownership in S10 to 85%, with an agreement to reach 100% ownership over time.

Avex did not name the selling partners. Roc Nation has been a partner in S10’s management business alongside Silverstein since 2017.

Financial terms of the transaction, announced on Tuesday (September 29), were not disclosed.

Silverstein continues as CEO of both S10 and Avex Music Group (AMG) , and remains a board member and equity partner in AMG.

He also takes a wider role in Avex Group ‘s global music strategy, working with the Avex board on partnerships across recorded music, publishing, live entertainment, touring, and investments, according to the announcement.

> “Bringing S10 into Avex reflects our confidence in Brandon’s leadership and our commitment to growing Avex’s global music business. Together, we will bring the full breadth of Avex’s capabilities to artists and creators around the world.” Katsumi Kuroiwa , Avex Inc.

“S10 is an exceptional management company that is playing a key role in realizing our global ambitions,” said Katsumi Kuroiwa , CEO of Avex Inc. “Bringing S10 into Avex reflects our confidence in Brandon’s leadership and our commitment to growing Avex’s global music business. Together, we will bring the full breadth of Avex’s capabilities to artists and creators around the world.”

Avex describes the deal as its second acquisition of an S10 business.

In March 2025, the company acquired 100% of the S10 Music Publishing song catalog and an additional stake in S10 Management , and named Silverstein CEO of the newly formed Avex Music Group .

That transaction made Avex the largest shareholder in S10 Management , alongside Silverstein and Roc Nation . MBW reported in May that Avex had since taken a majority stake in S10 Entertainment , passing 50% during the fiscal year that ended in March.

The two companies’ relationship dates back to 2020, when S10 Publishing was formed as a joint venture with Avex . Avex USA then invested in S10’s management business in May 2024.

At the time of the publishing acquisition, S10 reported more than 22 global No.1 hits and 50 billion streams worldwide.

Its publishing repertoire included songs recorded by Justin Bieber , Drake , Tate McRae , Doja Cat , Post Malone , and Rihanna , among others, according to the company.

Since Silverstein became CEO in 2025, AMG has signed Bruno Mars to a global publishing administration deal and launched an initial USD $100 million catalog acquisition fund .

AMG songwriter Kamal Wilson won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song in February this year for co-writing Kehlani ‘s Folded .

In June, Kuroiwa and Silverstein were honored with Billboard ‘s Global Growth Award at the magazine’s Global Power Players event in Tokyo, in recognition of Avex ‘s international expansion.

“S10 began with a belief in exceptional talent and what we could build around it,” said Silverstein . “I’m proud of what our artists, songwriters and team have accomplished, and grateful to the partners who helped us get here. This next chapter is an opportunity to build on that work at a greater scale with Avex, investing in talent, developing new businesses and creating more opportunities across markets.”

Avex Inc. generated approximately USD $971 million in revenue in its fiscal year ended March 31, 2026, up 11.3% YoY.

> “I’m proud of what our artists, songwriters and team have accomplished, and grateful to the partners who helped us get here.” Brandon Silverstein , S10 Entertainment

Its Music Business segment, which includes AMG , contributed approximately USD $810 million of that total.

Avex says its label strategy combines continued investment in the global careers of XG and ONE OR EIGHT with the signing and development of artists from the United States and other markets.

“I’m grateful to Max Matsuura, Katsumi Kuroiwa, Shinji Hayashi and the Avex board for their continued trust and support,” said Silverstein . “The global platform Avex has built is extraordinary, and together with our teams around the world, I look forward to extending it as one global music company.”

In the transaction, Silverstein was represented by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP . Music Business Worldwide

News Japan United States Avex Avex Inc. Avex Music Group Brandon Silverstein Katsumi Kuroiwa Roc Nation S10 Entertainment

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_Originally reported by [Music Business Worldwide](https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/avex-boosts-its-ownership-of-brandon-silversteins-s10-entertainment-with-an-agreement-to-reach-100-over-time/)._