KO Kawashima

Ko Kawashima is a culture strategist, multidisciplinary executive, and serial entrepreneur whose work bridges artist ecosystems, brand innovation, sustainability, and scalable cultural platforms. Her career integrates creativity, systems design, and human-centered leadership, with a consistent focus on building structures that support both people and long-term impact.

She began her career at A&M Records and Virgin Records, specializing in children’s marketing and artist development, where she rose to co-lead her department. During this period, she worked with artists including Massive Attack, Iggy Pop, and Smashing Pumpkins, developing early fluency in audience strategy, narrative, and cultural relevance.

Ko later founded Asylm Marketing (also known as ADD Marketing), one of the first street-marketing and trend-forecasting agencies in the United States. The agency helped redefine how culture moves through real communities rather than traditional media channels. Across her career, Ko has managed Björk, collaborated with artists including Daft Punk and The Chemical Brothers, and led campaigns for global brands such as Nike, Converse, Sony PlayStation, Ketel One, Canada Goose, and Nobis.

Beyond commercial work, Ko has designed future-facing cultural systems, including a sustainability-led festival in the UK integrating alternative energy, music, film, food, and experiential learning. Her work also spans public art and cultural institutions, including shaping social engagement for Desert X.

Ko has mentored more than 1,500 young people and currently serves as a Mentor-in-Residence at UCLA Bruin Founders and as a mentor with the New Museum. Known for strategic rigor and empathy, she builds platforms that scale while preserving the soul of the work.