CROSS FM is gearing up for a special program titled ‘Takafumi Horie Special Program Horispe!’ which is set to broadcast live on March 27, 2025, from 1 PM to 7 PM. This six-hour live show is hosted by Takafumi Horie, the chairman and representative director of CROSS FM, and aims to connect entrepreneurs across Japan.
The event will take place at the Mark Is Fukuoka Momochi Hotel Studio, and listeners can tune in to the live broadcast through various platforms, including YouTube and TikTok. Notably, the program will feature multiple guests from various companies, including GFA Corporation, which is significant for its upcoming sponsorship of a new radio show.
Among the dialogue guests is GFA’s next representative, Mr. Matsuda, who will participate online in a discussion segment with Horie from approximately 1:30 PM to 1:50 PM. In this segment, they will explore important topics such as media strategies related to cryptocurrency and the unveiling of a new radio program titled ‘(Tentative) GFA presents Rain Tree's Meme Forest’ which starts airing in April.
Takafumi Horie, affectionately known as ‘Horiemon,’ is a prominent businessman and entrepreneur who has significantly influenced the Japanese internet landscape. Born in 1972 in Fukuoka, Horie founded his first company, On the Edge, while still a student at the University of Tokyo. He later rebranded it to LiveDoor, significantly boosting its market value to 800 billion yen. Horie continues to diversify his ventures, currently engaging in various fields, including space development and cryptocurrencies.
The program's timing aligns perfectly with recent discussions on effective event promotion practices, highlighted by a recent experience from manga artist Jiro Eguchi. Eguchi, known for his work on ‘Stop!! Hibari-kun!’, shared his struggles with attracting attendees to his recent autograph session held at the Masuda Manga Museum in Akita Prefecture. On March 23, he expressed disappointment in a social media update, attached with photos of the venue which showed few attendees. He humorously referenced a past event where a dog was the only character waiting at the front, indicating his struggles with attendance over time.
In response to Eguchi’s predicament, Horie took to social media on March 25 to emphasize the importance of promotional efforts. He stated, “I always promote my events well in advance; if people don’t do that, nobody will show up.” His candid recognition of the necessity for proactive promotion reflects his broader understanding of marketing dynamics, especially in the events sector.
Despite the slow start, Eguchi’s autograph session eventually attracted around 180 attendees over two days, falling short of the maximum capacity of 240 but a considerable turnout nonetheless. In a subsequent post, he expressed gratitude to those who attended, highlighting that although some days were underwhelming, the event ended on a positive note.
This synergy between Horie’s upcoming broadcasting opportunity and Eguchi’s trials raises pertinent questions about visibility and audience engagement in creative ventures. With Horie’s extensive experience in promotional activities, the March 27 program exemplifies a proactive strategy in reaching potential attendees and viewers, further contrasted with Eguchi’s earlier approach.
Horie’s commentary surrounding Eguchi’s experience not only adds an additional layer of relevance to the upcoming program but serves as advice for creators and entrepreneurs about the critical role of marketing. With the media landscape saturated and competition high, securing an audience requires not just talent or novelty but an informed strategy for outreach.
As CROSS FM prepares to launch its ambitious special program, the potential for impactful conversations around innovation and entrepreneurship in Japan is clear. Audiences across various platforms will likely engage with the discussion about challenges and strategies that help in building attendee bases and growing businesses.
Organizations like GFA Corporation, which is publicly listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, are keenly interested in fostering a conversation about innovation, especially given its involvement in cryptocurrency and its advisory role with SNS media & consulting. On January 22, GFA Corporation and SNS media established an advisory agreement to enhance public relations and marketing efforts in the cryptocurrency sector.
By placing event planning and promotion under the spotlight, this program intends to enlighten viewers not just about exciting entrepreneurial ventures but also practical methods to ensure their success. As Horie leads the conversation from Fukuoka, the combination of entertainment and insight aims to forge pathways for emerging thought leaders in the tech and creative industries.
Looking forward, the March 27 program represents not only an opportunity for GFA and CROSS FM but also a reflection of how careful planning and robust marketing techniques are critical to standing out. As more companies explore unique promotional strategies, the insights shared by figures like Horie could serve as invaluable lessons within the ever-evolving marketplace. This special broadcast promises to deliver engaging content, merging entertainment and business acumen for listeners nationwide.
