LOS ANGELES, USA // Miwa Okumura is the Senior VP of Creative Sync and Licensing at Beggars US, a leading independent label group that includes some of the most respected and established indie labels: 4AD, Matador, Rough Trade, XL Recordings, and Young. With over 30 years in the music industry, Okumura began her career at Capitol Records, later working at Grand Royal Records, Digital Hardcore Recordings, and Matador. She has experience across all areas of the business and has spent the past 15+ years focused on film, TV, and trailer licensing for the Beggars Group. She has placed songs in numerous TV shows, films, and trailers, while also overseeing the U.S. licensing department.

Miwa has played a key role in aligning music with culture-shaping projects, securing placements such as St. Vincent’s on-camera performance on Gossip Girl, Interpol’s appearance on Sweetbitter, Josh Homme’s scripted role on Portlandia, and a unique animated duet between Låpsley and Matt Berninger for Bob’s Burgers. She also co-produced the Dark Was the Night charity double-disc compilation, working closely with Bryce and Aaron Dessner of The National. Released on 4AD in support of the Red Hot Organization—an AIDS awareness and fundraising charity—the project raised over $1 million. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Miwa took up cycling and joined the Fireflies cycling group, riding from San Francisco to Los Angeles to raise funds for cancer research. She is still obsessed with cycling and dreams of riding for charity again.