We will look into the reality of KODE, a new media that is pioneering the age of the "herd".
The web media has been growing rapidly in the face of the magazine industry, which has been stagnant due to the publishing recession. In the past few years, the number of such media has increased dramatically, and we are now entering an era in which there are many different types of media. Some of you may have seen this new media on social networking sites. The name of the medium is "KODE. We invited Eric Jenkins, the creative director of KODE, to talk about the personality of KODE. What is their approach to content and media?
Launched last year, KODE is an online inspirational culture magazine that stimulates readers' inquisitiveness and curiosity. KODE features "KODE INSPIRATOR" leaders in various fields. What do they care about and how do they get their inspiration? We will decipher the "KODE" that gives us clues.
With the three content themes of "FOOD," "MUSIC," and "STYLE" at the core, features that focus on the inspirator's specialties and collaboration projects with companies and brands are being distributed daily. In addition, by registering as a member, you can apply for various gifts such as limited items and exclusive experience events. kode.co.jp
A new kind of media that exists for the consumer.
First of all, for our readers who are not familiar with KODE, can you tell us what kind of medium it is?
ERICWe are not a company that specializes in web media or editorial work, but we launched a new media "KODE" last October as part of the marketing and branding we have cultivated over the years. While we deal with culture such as food, music, and fashion as content, the most important thing to us is that all of its media exists for the consumer (=consumers). It would be easier to understand if you think of it as a completely new and novel media that spills over from what they are looking for now.
What, if anything, sets KODE apart from other media?
ERICThe sensitivity of the main content and the quality of the photos are also part of the media's character, but what is most notable is that it is created together with inspirators who share the same aspirations as the "KODE" team. We are not merely actors in a project, but collaborate in the production of original products, planning and operation of events, and editorial work. We are building a relationship that is close to a partnership in every aspect. We believe that through these inspirators, readers will be able to experience something that they have not been able to experience before.
Eric Jenkins: Director of "KODE
What kind of inspirators do you have in mind specifically?
ERICAs we have mentioned in the media, there are people from all genres, such as Daisuke Ohana, the designer of "N. HOLYWOOD" who participated in the New York Collection this February, the up-and-coming track maker tofubeats, and Yoshifumi "YOPPI" Egawa, a skater and designer of his own brand. There are a variety of people from all genres, such as "YOPPI" Yoshifumi Egawa, who is a skater and brand owner himself. And the number is expected to increase in the future.
Mr. Ohana's articles and contents in "N. Hollywood" were spread on social networking sites.
ERICPrior to the launch, it was one of the biggest contents in "KODE" as a topical topic, so I think we had a lot of opportunities to see them. I had the opportunity to work with them on a wide range of projects, from interviews to the production of collaborative items, reports related to the NY collection, and fan-invited events. In addition to "N. Hollywood," we plan to publish many articles related to New York in the future.
PICK UP CONTENTS 01
The challenge of a Japanese artist who puts his soul into his handwriting: Contemporary artist Reki Yamaguchi
This is a feature article on Reki Yamaguchi, a contemporary artist living in New York City, who was interviewed by the KODE reporting team in New York City as a special content. The article is rich in content, covering his upbringing, how he came to work as an artist, his past achievements, and his future prospects. kode.co.jp/Articles/style-meguru_yamaguchi_interview
Cutting-edge sensitivity is a necessary element of "KODE.
Will more such intakes be released in the future?
ERICThat's right. We are still a young media that has just started up, so there is a lot of trial and error, and it is also a repetition of trial and error, but I think we are gradually beginning to see its personality as a media.
PICK UP CONTENTS 02
Mousou Spot -Nakada Minori x Eel Restaurant-"
This is a serialized project supervised and directed by the "INSPIRATION CULT MAG" crew. Each month, the series will feature an eye-catching photo visual that embodies an unrealistic story based on the theme of a profoundly mysterious fantasy. kode.co.jp/Articles/style-Moso_Spot_02
ERICThis article is produced by a creative photography crew called INSPIRATION CULT MAG (ICM), one of the partners who together manage "KODE". They have a group of like-minded photographers around the world, and together they publish their own photo culture magazine called "INSPIRATION CULT MAG". They are also active in the field of branding and advertising, mainly on the Instagram platform. Their cutting-edge sensitivity has a strong presence within "KODE" and plays a major role as part of the media's personality development.
A cultural media in which a team of photographers joins the management side is new.
ERICYes, we do. I feel that by working with several such teams, combined with the original strengths of "KODE," we can grow as a stronger media. We would also like to appeal to millennials and other generations that seek visual information from multiple perspectives.
With solid cooperation with the outside team involved in the operation, we can expect information dissemination that is not bound by stereotypes.
ERICThat's right. By bringing together the best in article quality, photography, design, and even systems, we can increase the overall value of the media. However, this is only infrastructure development on the media side, and we have consistently maintained our position as a media that is consumer-oriented, as I mentioned at the beginning.
PICK UP CONTENTS 03
92 'Til Infinity -The street archives of THE NORTH FACE
The North Face" is a famous store in Tokyo that is currently playing a role in the global "THE NORTH FACE" movement.The ApartmentFashion shootings and interviews featuring the "M" brand. In addition, the latter half of the page features an extensive catalog of archived pieces, which until now have not been covered by the media. kode.co.jp/Articles/style-92_til_infinity
What does "KODE" think about the direction in which the media should go in the future?
ERICI am also the general director of the marketing department of the company, and the characteristics of "KODE" are also familiar with branding in the broad sense of the word, which is also my profession. I want KODE to be a media outlet that always puts the reader first, and that can provide some kind of insight or opportunity to the reader. In the future, "KODE" will publish many contents that can be said to be the true essence of our work. Please look forward to it.
