Ail and Kinki University Collaborate on Fan Creation Project Insights

Ail Inc. and Kinki University Collaboration

On January 15, 2026, Ail Inc., headquartered in Osaka and Tokyo, hosted the final presentation of its collaborative research project on fan creation with Kinki University’s Haga Laboratory. This six-month initiative focused on visualizing fan behavior and developing systems to bolster fan engagement, involving both students and company representatives in a fruitful exchange of ideas and insights.

Overview of the Project

The project was conducted at Kinki University's Faculty of Economics, where approximately 20 students from the Haga Laboratory examined the theme of fan behavior visualization. This endeavor consisted of 16 classes over six months, culminating in presentations that shared innovative strategies for fan engagement and new applications for Ail’s customer information management service, CROSS POINT.

Ail Inc. aims not only to provide management systems but also to help its partner companies enhance their cultural ethos and values, thus fostering a sense of community among their fans. This project leveraged Ail’s corporate knowledge, challenges observed in the market, and real-world feedback to guide the discussions and analyses that shaped the course of their academic journey.

Course Highlights

First Session (September 2025)
Led by Ayumu Doi, head of CROSS business at Ail, this initial class emphasized the importance of data utilization in fan visualization, defining the differences between fans and repeat customers, while detailing the functionalities of CROSS POINT. Challenges were set for students to prepare for the upcoming midpoint presentations.

Second Session - Midpoint Review (November 2025)
During the midpoint review, student groups presented their findings. Ail’s Vice President, Tetsuo Iwamoto, and Doi provided feedback to each group, offering insights and encouragement in preparing for the final presentation.

Final Presentation Report

The culmination of the project featured students showcasing their work on defining what constitutes a 'fan' while presenting strategies for acquiring fans using the CROSS POINT system. They distinguished fans from repeat customers by explaining that while the latter are driven by rational choices, fans are often influenced by emotional connections and shared values with the brand, integrating it into their lifestyles. The research methods employed included surveys, interviews, text mining, cluster analysis, and the setting of customer personas and journeys.

Innovative strategies for fan acquisition were unveiled, using CROSS POINT to propose AI-driven features, participatory initiatives for fans, and methods to embed brand touchpoints into customers' lifestyle choices.

Feedback from Ail’s Executives

In response to the students’ presentations, Vice President Iwamoto expressed his appreciation for the thorough analysis and practical suggestions generated by the students. He noted, "The fresh perspectives of the students, sensitive to trends and new services, could bring exciting developments if combined into our services."

Doi followed up by acknowledging the substantial improvements seen in the proposed ideas since the midpoint, stating that the enthusiastic engagement with the concept of 'fans' was very rewarding.

Student Reflections

Students highlighted the challenges of translating abstract concepts like 'fans' into tangible data-driven arguments. They found joy in discovering new perspectives on how B2B companies can deliver value to their clients, revealing the connection of familiar apps utilized daily. "This project was enlightening as it deepened my understanding of the practical applications of marketing theories learned in class," reflected Fukushige, a third-year economics student.

Summary from Professor Haga

Professor Haga commented on the project, emphasizing the importance of utilizing concrete data to understand the concept of 'fans.' He praised the combination of rigorous data analysis with the students' innate youthful sensibilities, leading to impactful and actionable proposals.

Ail Inc. Looking Ahead

As a company committed to transforming backend processes essential to business operations, Ail continually seeks to expand its initiatives aiding student learning and community engagement while contributing to a richer society through collaborative projects.

For more information about Ail Inc., visit Ail Inc. Website.