Tokyo, Japan – Global digital advertising platform GumGum announced their reinforcement towards the Japanese market by appointing seasoned digital media executive, Kenzo Selby as GumGum Japan’s managing director to lead its growing business in the area.
In his new role, Selby will be growing GumGum’s brand presence in the market, as well as deepening its relationships with brands, agencies, and publishers to embrace a mindset-first, cookie-less solution.
Notably, Selby and the Japanese team will be spearheading GumGum’s ‘The Mindset Matrix’, a concept that pushes brands to leave behavioural targeting behind by helping to pinpoint environments that drive the most attention and aligning ad creative to capture a consumer’s frame of mind, resulting in brand lift and boosted outcomes.
Selby joins GumGum after more than six years of driving growth for Teads in Japan as head of sales, leading a 14 person strong sales team. Prior to Teads, Kenzo was a sales leader at AOL’s BeOn. He also brings a wealth of business management and financial acumen from experience gathered at Ernst & Young and other accounting firms where he focused on Japanese corporations doing business in Australia.
Selby will replace outgoing managing director, Naokazu Wakaguri, who has driven the growth of the business in Japan for five years. Wakaguri will support Selby in a transition period through the end of the year before leaving GumGum to pursue personal projects at the start of 2024.
Commenting on this, Wakaguri said, “As I embark on my next stage, my belief in GumGum and the future it holds for our industry is strong. With Kenzo as the new leader, I am excited for the next chapter of GumGum in this region and am fully committed to providing my ongoing support during this transition period. We have all the ingredients for success; a compelling vision, amazing products, respectful people, ethics, and great culture.”
Speaking on his own appointment, Selby said, “There is a huge opportunity for GumGum here in Japan as advertisers are looking for ways to deliver campaigns that demand attention and drive outcomes. GumGum’s Mindset Matrix will give advertisers the ability to understand their campaigns on a deeper level and pinpoint where to optimise for improved ROI. I’m excited to be joining GumGum’s amazing team and will be growing our market presence.”
Meanwhile, Sorrel Osborne, head of media, JAPAC, at GumGum, commented, “Kenzo’s appointment represents GumGum’s continued commitment to strong growth in Japan through bringing best-in-market media, targeting and measurement capabilities to this vibrant and dynamic media landscape. As always, our focus is on delivering outstanding business outcomes for our valued partners in Japan and Kenzo is expertly positioned to do so, with the support of the global business.”
