Terrific Innovation Taps Local Expert BrandCloud to Unlock Japan's Social Commerce Market

TEL AVIV, Israel and TOKYO – December 16, 2025 – Israeli social commerce firm Terrific Innovation announced its strategic entry into the Japanese market today, forging a key partnership with Tokyo-based digital branding specialist BrandCloud, Inc. The collaboration aims to introduce Terrific's infrastructure platform to Japanese brands, positioning video-driven social commerce not as a novelty, but as a foundational tool for modern digital retail in one of the world's most sophisticated consumer economies.

The move signals a significant bet on a market that, despite its massive e-commerce footprint, remains in the early stages of social commerce adoption compared to its Asian neighbors. By combining Terrific's technology with BrandCloud's deep local expertise, the partnership seeks to bridge this gap and establish a new standard for how Japanese consumers discover, engage with, and purchase from their favorite brands online.

Japan's $25 Billion Latent Opportunity

While platforms like TikTok and Instagram have made social shopping a mainstream activity in many parts of the world, Japan presents a more complex and nuanced landscape. The country is a digital powerhouse, with internet penetration exceeding 92% and mobile commerce accounting for over 70% of online sales. Yet, direct social and live commerce has been slower to catch on, creating what many analysts see as a vast, untapped opportunity.

Market projections underscore the immense potential. The Japanese social commerce sector is forecast to reach approximately US$25.33 billion in 2025, with some estimates predicting a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 8% through 2030. More bullish reports suggest the market could expand at a staggering pace, highlighting a significant disconnect between current adoption and future potential. This latent demand is powerfully illustrated by recent data from NTT Com Online Marketing Solutions, which found that while live commerce awareness is only at 31.9%, a remarkable 54% of those viewers have already made a purchase. This high conversion rate signals a population primed for more sophisticated and engaging shopping experiences.

"Japan is one of the few markets where community, content, and commerce naturally intersect," said Israel Grintz, CEO of Terrific Innovation, in the company's announcement. He pointed to the missing piece of the puzzle: "What has been missing is infrastructure that lets companies own the experience, the data, and the revenue. That is exactly what we built terrific to do."

A Platform for a Culture of Trust

Successfully navigating the Japanese market requires more than just advanced technology; it demands a deep understanding of consumer culture. Japanese shoppers are known for their high expectations for quality, meticulous attention to detail, and a strong emphasis on trust and brand loyalty. Unlike Western markets where impulse buys can be driven by discounts, Japanese consumers often rely on credible reviews, authentic word-of-mouth, and a strong emotional connection to a brand.

This is where Terrific's platform aims to differentiate itself. Instead of pushing brands onto third-party social media platforms where the user experience is standardized and data is controlled by the platform, Terrific provides a SaaS solution that embeds directly into a brand's own website or digital property. This allows companies to create fully branded, interactive video experiences—from live shopping events to shoppable video feeds—while maintaining complete control over their audience data and the customer journey. By owning the experience, brands can cultivate the very trust and direct community engagement that Japanese consumers value.

The approach aligns perfectly with Japan's unique blend of high brand loyalty and a vibrant creator culture. The partnership with BrandCloud is designed to help local brands leverage this cultural dynamic. "Japan has a culture where entertainment, community, and brand loyalty coexist," BrandCloud stated in its release. "This strongly aligns with the future of social commerce envisioned by Terrific, and through this partnership we aim to help establish a new standard for social commerce in Japan."

The Strategic Power of a Local Partner

For any foreign company, entering Japan's intricate business ecosystem is a formidable challenge. Terrific Innovation's choice of BrandCloud as its local partner appears to be a calculated and strategic move to mitigate these risks. Founded in 2013 and a subsidiary of Vector Group, Asia's leading PR firm, BrandCloud is a powerhouse in digital branding and online reputation management.

With a client list of over 400 companies and a 94% success rate in mitigating reputational damage, BrandCloud brings more than just a distribution network; it brings credibility. The firm's expertise in building and protecting brand value online is a critical asset in a market where reputation is paramount. Their recent certification as a B Corporation further solidifies their commitment to high standards of social and environmental performance, adding another layer of trust.

This partnership is structured to be a true synergy. As Terrific's CEO Israel Grintz explained, "It's about building social commerce in a way that fits Japan. BrandCloud brings local trust, distribution, and market understanding. We bring the platform and the playbook. Together, this is a real market entry." BrandCloud will be responsible for introducing Terrific's platform to its extensive network of Japanese brands, creators, and media companies, facilitating adoption through a SaaS model that requires no app installation and integrates with existing e-commerce systems.

Redefining Ownership in the Digital Age

At its core, Terrific's technology is about shifting power back to the brands. The platform enables clients to transform any video content into a direct and interactive revenue channel. This includes features like real-time live shopping events, curated shoppable video feeds that function like a brand-owned TikTok, and interactive video timelines that can be embedded anywhere.

This model of "owned-channel" social commerce directly addresses the growing concerns many brands have about their dependency on major social media platforms. By operating on their own digital turf, companies not only control the brand narrative but also capture invaluable first-party data on customer behavior, preferences, and engagement—data that is often obscured or retained by social media giants.

Terrific Innovation arrives in Japan with a track record of working with major global players, citing partnerships with brands like Samsung, Reebok, and Smeg, as well as media giants such as Bloomberg and Claro Sports. The company states that its platform has delivered more than five times the typical revenue from social commerce activations in past campaigns. By adapting these proven formats and monetization models for Japanese audiences, Terrific and BrandCloud aim to empower local businesses to turn their deep engagement with entertainment and creator content into a sustainable and owned revenue stream, potentially reshaping Japan's digital retail landscape for years to come.