Kakao has sealed a deal with Columbia Records, an American record label and a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment, for girl group IVE's venture in the North American market.

On March 24 KST, Kakao Entertainment confirmed that it has established a partnership with Columbia Records for the expansion of its music market in North America. The first step in this partnership will consist of Columbia Records distributing IVE's 1st full album 'I've IVE' in North America, also including active promotions across the U.S. for IVE's pre-release single "Kitsch". 

Soon after IVE's venture into the North American market this spring, Kakao intends on establishing direct channels for many of its other label musicians to follow suit. Music sub-labels housed under Kakao currently include Starship Entertainment, IST Entertainment, Antenna, HIGH UP Entertainment, EDAM Entertainment (strategic partnership), and likely in the near future, SM Entertainment.