Acomz is an intellectual property (IP) platform corporations. It not only produces IP in-house, but also licenses overseas IP to produce and sell products and supplies them through distribution platforms. It has an integrated IP business structure from creation to utilization and distribution.
Acomz was founded in Jan. 2020 by CEO Lee Sang-seok, who spent about 10 years overseeing domestic and overseas operations at VOOZ, known for the character "Pucca." Lee said, "I started Acomz thinking, 'Why doesn't Korea have a model that generates revenue with global IP like Sony Pictures or Universal Studios?'"
The first thing Lee focused on after founding the company was stabilizing the revenue structure. Lee said, "Korean corporations build their business models around producing one main IP and using it continuously, which limits sustained revenue generation," adding, "I thought we should first create a revenue structure that wouldn't shake the company, and then pursue IP expansion."
The method chosen for that was corporate character marketing. Acomz develops character IP tailored to the characteristics of corporations and uses it for marketing. S-Oil's "Goo Doil" and Woori Bank's "WIBee" are representative examples. It is now also moving into goods businesses using characters and animation businesses. Since the early days, it has taken a large share of sales and has been a strong performer. As of 2024, the share of sales is about 40%.
It then moved to strengthen the animation institutional sector. In 2023, it carried out a merger and acquisition (M&A) of Brick Studio, adding content planning and production functions. Its flagship work "Maca & Roni" has recorded a cumulative 360 million views. It aired through season 3 and seasons 4 and 5 are in production. "Super Guardians: Polar Rescue" also gained popularity in season 1, leading to a joint production of seasons 2 and 3 with Singapore animation corporations August Media.
At the same time, it accelerated its licensing business. It brought famous overseas IP such as Wallace and Gromit, Shaun the Sheep and Crayola to Korea, running character businesses such as goods, emoticons and collaboration products, as well as film businesses.
It is also expanding licensing businesses that use IP it developed in-house, such as Wasabi Bear, Doudou and Matti Yokki. In particular, Wasabi Bear collaborated with Samsung and Dunkin' Donuts, with some products selling out. Lee explained, "We are securing a fandom by producing character content based on storytelling."
The business Acomz is most focused on now is the "gacha business." Gacha refers to inserting money to draw random items like dolls or keyrings. Lee said, "Although the gacha business is gaining popularity, no Korean corporations have jumped in using their own IP," adding, "Like Japan's Bandai and China's Pop Mart, we will connect our own IP to the distribution structure."
As of 2024, Acomz's sales came to 7.568 billion won. That was growth of more than 30% from the same period a year earlier. Lee expressed ambition, saying, "Through a structure that spans IP production and import, AI content production, global distribution and merchandising, and franchising, we will grow into a global major IP entertainment corporations."