Elisa Watanabe

Elisa Watanabe is an A&R executive and the founder of Sayaka LLC, a boutique consultancy dedicated to artist development, cross-cultural collaboration and helping companies take creative experiences to the next level through intentionally curated songwriting camps and roster expansion. With deep roots in both Western and Eastern music markets, Elisa brings a creator-first approach and a unique global perspective to every project she is a part of.
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Before starting Sayaka LLC, Elisa was the Senior Director of A&R for Ultra Publishing & Helix Records, spending over 6 years with the publishing company. Previous to Helix Records, she A&R’d for Ultra Records, which has been home to artists such as Sofi Tukker, Kygo, Steve Aoki, Black Coffee, etc. During her time with Ultra Publishing and Helix Records, she helped reach Billboard #1 Dance Records, curated international writing camps, oversaw relations across Asia and liaised between the sync and A&R teams. She has helped contribute to songs that have landed on notable placements such as HBO, A24 and Disney.
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In 2025, Elisa officially launched Sayaka LLC and relocated to Tokyo, where she’s now focused on building global pathways for artists, writers, and producers. Her mission is to help creatives break new ground through meaningful collaboration, intentional strategy, a respect for culture and the commitment to always return to the love of music.