TDK Corporation

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TDK

TDK Corporation (TDK株式会社 TDK Kabushiki-gaisha), formerly TDK electronics Co., Ltd (東京電気化学工業株式会社), is a Japanese multinational electronics company that manufactures electronic materials, electronic components, and recording and data-storage media. Its motto is “Contribute to culture and industry through creativity”.

“TDK” is an initialism of the original Japanese name of the company: Tokyo Denki Kagaku Kōgyō K.K. (Tokyo Electric Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.). The company is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the Nikkei 225 and TOPIX indices.

Sponsorship and advertising

The TDK sign at Piccadilly Circus in London.
TDK has sponsored the IAAF World Championships in Athletics since the 1983 inaugural event in Helsinki.

TDK sponsored Ajax for several years in the 1980s during which it won the European Cupwinners Cup in 1987. From 1993 to 1999, TDK were also the sponsors of the English football club Crystal Palace, who were promoted to the Premier League twice during this era, though lasting for just one season before being relegated on both occasions. TDK was also a minor sponsor of the Brisbane Broncos Rugby League Team during the early 90’s. It is a current sponsor of the IAAF World Championships in Athletics. It also sponsors activities and events such as those at The Cross nightclub in Central London, and since 1990 has had a prominent sign at Piccadilly Circus although it was announced in November 2014 that they would not be renewing the contract.

TDK has owned a sign on One Times Square since 2000. The screen is placed under that of Toshiba and can be seen during the annual Times Square New Year’s Ball Drop.

Since 2001, TDK has supported performances of some of the world’s distinguished orchestras in Japan within the company’s “TDK Orchestra Concerts” program. TDK’s “Outreach-Mini Concerts” and “Special Rehearsals and Main Concert Invitations” additionally serve as avenues for the company to attract younger audiences.

In 2002, the company’s consumer electronics division was the presenting sponsor of the Third Annual Jammy Awards, with the TDK Live Performance of the Year award honoring the best live performance that was legally available on the Web as a free download. The award was given to the band moe. for their performance at the Bonnaroo Music Festival.

TDK’s own football club, based in Nikaho, Akita, recently split from the corporation to become independent football club Blaublitz Akita, with the aim for the professional leagues.

Museum
TDK operates a company museum in Nikaho, Akita, Japan. The museum is open to the public, free of charge. Among its exhibits are a comprehensive history of the company, its products and technologies, and emerging developments.