BUENA PARK, Calif. (May 29, 2007) — The Franklin, Tenn. based Yamaha Corporate Artist Affairs (YCAA) department has now become a company subsidiary of the Yamaha Corporation of America. The new company will simply be known as YCAA, Inc. Chris Gero, who is currently serving as YCAA director, has assumed the position of vice president of the newly formed business.
Gero will continue to manage the company's worldwide relationships with Yamaha artists – a responsibility that includes concert production, imaging, piano logistics, media operations, tour planning, endorsements, television and feature film product placement, production of the artist publication
All Access, and occasional visits by the musicians themselves.
'I am thrilled to be leading the new YCAA, Inc. The Yamaha brand is one of the most recognized in the world, and through our individual artist relationships we are poised to grow and expand even more. I am also very pleased that Yamaha's global artist relations are managed right here in Middle Tennessee,' comments Gero.
As a new subsidiary, YCAA, Inc. will continue its mission to support and help serve the needs of contemporary musical artists throughout the United States and around the world. As it had done as a department, the subsidiary will act as YCA's primary liaison with the global community of contemporary musical artists.
'One of our most important assets at Yamaha is our artist roster. These artists inspire many to be musicians, and they strongly influence the buying habits of the musical products market. The connection among artists, customers and our products is critical,' says YCA Executive Vice President Terry Lewis. 'YCA has the proud distinction of managing more artist relationships than any other music and sound company in the world. By establishing YCAA as an independent subsidiary, we will be able to provide an even greater level of commitment to our artists, and continue to make the Yamaha brand, legendary quality and century-old tradition of excellence known to the millions of professional, amateur and student musicians the world over.'
Additionally, YCAA, Inc. works with a roster of international music stars to promote music awareness and education, as well as underscore the breadth and quality of the Yamaha brand. A partial list of Yamaha artists includes Elton John, Paul McCartney, Tony Bennett, Norah Jones, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Josh Groban, Michael McDonald, Michael Bublé and Chick Corea.
For more information, write Yamaha Corporate Artist Affairs, Inc., P.O. Box 249 Franklin, TN 37065; telephone 615-599-0800; or e-mail
infostation@yamaha.com.
About Yamaha
Yamaha Corporation of America is the largest subsidiary of Yamaha Corporation, Japan, and offers a full line of musical instruments and audio/visual products to the U.S. market. Products include acoustic and digital pianos, portable keyboards, guitars, acoustic and electronic drums, band and orchestral instruments, marching percussion products, synthesizers, professional digital and analog audio products, commercial audio systems and innovative technology products targeted to the hobbyist, education, worship, professional music, and installation markets.
