Bemyfriends, a South Korean fandom company, launched its ‘2024 b.stage Media Day’ on Feb. 20 to showcase the global impact of its comprehensive fandom platform b.stage.
The company highlighted extensive services, global reach, and significant achievements in connecting fans and artists worldwide, with plans for further expansion into international markets.
Bemyfriends is the creator and operator of b.stage, which is a comprehensive solution for the fandom business. At a recent showcase, Bemyfriends demonstrated its extensive activities, significant achievements, and global influence.
The presentation was underpinned by data and case studies from the past three years. b.stage offers various services, including content management, community engagement, global eCommerce, live broadcasting, and instant communication. Additionally, it provides intellectual property (IP) business solutions and consultancy services to assist owners in the fandom sector.
During the opening address, Lee Ki-young, the co-CEO, spoke about the ‘b.stage, 3 Years of Global Fandom Business Performance and Future’ and highlighted the company’s efforts in actively acquiring customers and expanding the scope of its fandom business.
Lee mentioned that b.stage has gained fans from 224 countries, with 155 of those countries actively engaging with various fandom-focused products and digital services, which includes merchandise available via b.stage.
Lee explained that the total page views (PV) for platforms developed using b.stage have surpassed 180 million, making it a significant global channel for interactions between artists and fans.
Also, he has pointed out that b.stage’s refined expertise in the fandom sector over three years has led to a rapid increase in customers opting for the platform.
Currently, over 100 clients are developing their fandom platforms on b.stage. Lee further mentioned that more than 41% of these clients have progressed to active monetization phases and are utilizing membership or eCommerce functionalities of b.stage. There has been a 900% increase in the signing of eCommerce and logistics operation contracts through b.stage.
Lee has mentioned that they believe that everyone is a fan of something. They have worked with clients from varied fields like K-pop, E-sports, content creators, entertainment, culture, and arts to showcase the universal power of fandom. He emphasized the growth of customer success stories, the demonstration of b.stage’s global reach, and its effectiveness as a partner for global fandom businesses over the past three years.
Bae Sang-hun, the Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) and CEO of Bemyfriends Japan shared various success stories of clients and emerging fandom trends for 2024, drawing on insights from b.stage data.
Bae stressed that from its beginning, b.stage was designed with a global market in mind, with efforts to support multi-language and payment and shipping systems extending to more than 210 countries, facilitating the establishment of successful global fandoms.
Bae highlighted the growth of global fandom businesses, particularly in the E-sports and K-pop sectors. He shared how leading esports teams like T1, Dplus KIA, KT Rolster, and DRX are using b.stage to connect with their global fanbases. They enhance fan experiences by merging online and offline activities, including features like ‘Onsite Pickup.’ This has made b.stage a popular platform for fan communication among esports teams.
Additionally, he discussed how K-pop artists, from early 2000s idols to current idols, are using b.stage. He emphasized its critical role in forming global fan communities even before an artist’s debut. This highlights b.stage’s leadership and specialized services in the K-POP sector.
He also explained that b.stage provides a complete solution for the fandom business, encompassing both physical and digital services. Bae highlighted the success of a recent pop-up store for AB6IX in Seoul, which b.stage managed from start to finish.
Additionally, he mentioned b.stage’s active involvement in developing fandoms for content IPs, such as ‘Phantom Singer 4,’ which has given rise to successful fandom businesses like Libelante, Fortena, and Crezl, all using b.stage’s solution.
Seo Woo-seok, the co-CEO of b.stage, discussed the company’s role as a partner for global fandom business success. Seo mentioned that over 100 IPs have already joined b.stage, which currently accounts for 5% of their total sales leads. He also predicted that b.stage’s global client base will expand to 50% within three years.
Seo highlighted the recent establishment of a subsidiary in Japan, which will focus on supporting J-POP artists and celebrities who are aiming for international recognition, as well as Korean newcomers who are trying to enter the Japanese market. b.stage will provide localized IT solutions and infrastructure to facilitate the growth of these clients.
In the United States, b.stage is expected to foster growth in collaboration with major labels by utilizing its advanced features such as branding, hub platforms, and data solutions. The market in the U.S. is expanding through platform integrations and agent-driven sales leads, and b.stage hopes to take advantage of this trend.
Seo expressed excitement about showcasing b.stage’s proven capabilities in the fandom business on a global scale through its first media day. He added that b.stage is a comprehensive fandom business solution that combines consulting, IP business, eCommerce, and data labs.
The company engages closely with fans to understand their needs, enhance the fan experience, and introduce sustainable revenue models. This approach allows numerous fandoms to intimately connect and interact with their favorite artists, brands, creators, and more, fostering a unique fandom experience.
Following its expansion into the U.S. market last year, b.stage ventured into the Japanese market on Jan. 2024, accelerating its global fandom business expansion. With its expertise in IP business, fandom consultancy, and eCommerce, b.stage offers a total solution to support the successful execution of customers’ fandom businesses.
The recent introduction of datalabs enables customers to operate and expand their fandom businesses efficiently by identifying the preferences and characteristics of active fandoms on b.stage, thereby facilitating the creation of customized content that meets fandom demands. It also aids in the effective management of eCommerce and strategic marketing and promotional activities, informed by insightful data analysis.
