Tag: Japan

Japan – Global PR agency HAVAS Red (formerly Red HAVAS) has expanded its footprint in Asia Pacific with the launch of a new office in Japan, further enhancing its merged media capabilities and broadening its service offerings in the region.

The launch of HAVAS Red’s new Japan office follows the network’s regional expansion last November, when it acquired a majority stake in PR Pundit, one of India’s leading PR consultancy firms, now operating as PR Pundit HAVAS Red.

Masashi Kitaichi will take on the role of managing director, leading the newly launched Japan office.

Speaking about the expansion, Kitaichi said, “We’ve been fortunate to work already with a wonderful portfolio of clients at the HAVAS Village in Japan. Now, by expanding to become HAVAS Red Japan, we are poised to be even more powerful and integrated partners for these clients on everything from social media to experiential to public relations.” 

Darrell Nelson, CEO of HAVAS Japan, also commented, “HAVAS Japan has seen significant growth over the last 3 years, and by launching Havas Red in Japan with Masashi leading the capability, we are not only expanding our service offerings but also positioning ourselves to better meet the specific demands of this market.” 

“With the addition of comprehensive PR capabilities, we can deliver more integrated and impactful solutions that resonate with local audiences while aligning with global standards. This strategic move ensures that HAVAS Japan is even more equipped to drive meaningful connections for our clients, making us a stronger partner in their growth and success,” he added. 

The addition of the Japan office expands HAVAS Red’s merged media capabilities to a total of 19 markets globally.

Earlier this year, HAVAS Red marked its second market entry in Africa with the launch of an office in Ivory Coast. In addition to Japan, India, and Ivory Coast, the agency has operating offices in Australia, China, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, the Middle East (U.A.E., Saudi Arabia, and Oman), the Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, the U.K., the U.S., and Vietnam.

James Wright, global CEO of HAVAS Red and global chairman of HAVAS PR Network, shared, “Bigger, better, bolder, and more borderless—that’s how HAVAS Red continues to grow each year. Expanding into India and Africa last year was a significant milestone for us, opening doors to very exciting regions. Now we’re thrilled to extend our footprint into Japan, where our HAVAS colleagues are already delivering groundbreaking work with iconic clients, and we look forward to providing enhanced PR and social support to continue driving innovation and excellence.” 

Meanwhile, Rana Barua, Group CEO of HAVAS India, Southeast and North Asia, commented, “Japan is a key market for HAVAS, and enhancing our capabilities here is central to our One Asia strategy. By broadening our reach and engaging with one of the world’s most dynamic and progressive audiences, we are reinforcing our commitment to creating meaningful connections and delivering impactful narratives.”   

In August 2024, HAVAS Red launched Industry by HAVAS Red, a comprehensive communications service aimed at helping B2B clients build meaningful connections across their value chain. Other key offerings include Peaks (executive branding), SWAY (influencer marketing), Red Impact (ESG and sustainability), Health by HAVAS Red (health and wellness), and Red Connect (B2B content marketing).

Hong Kong – CA SEGA JOYPOLIS, renowned for operating Japan’s TOKYO JOYPOLIS indoor amusement park, has announced its plans to expand internationally with the launch of its first overseas flagship, JOYPOLIS SPORTS Indoor Sportainment Park, at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Mall.

Tailored for Kai Tak Sports Park’s Kai Tak Mall, the new sports-themed park will cover five stories and nearly 30,000 square feet, featuring more than 20 attractions that combine cutting-edge technology with innovative entertainment to offer locals and visitors a unique experience of interactive sports. 

The new JOYPOLIS SPORTS in Hong Kong will feature three distinct themed zones offering unique sports experiences. Highlights include the debut of the ‘Sonic Stadium,’ an interactive playground themed around Sonic the Hedgehog; the ‘Ninja Dojo Zone,’ which combines traditional Japanese ninja elements with the Ninja Warrior sports concept for immersive, experiential learning; and the ‘Future Arena Zone,’ showcasing CA SEGA JOYPOLIS’s latest innovations with cutting-edge sports games developed by top industry creators.

As the flagship JOYPOLIS SPORTS location in Hong Kong, this expansive entertainment centre is set to be a premier destination for health enthusiasts. It also promises future collaborations with popular Japanese brands and IPs for exclusive events and limited-edition merchandise.

Meanwhile, the top floor of JOYPOLIS SPORTS will feature ‘Hungry Tiger Hidden Dragon,’ a restaurant and bar designed by Keo W. This venue blends sports elements with popular IPs and offers a semi-alfresco dining area with a stunning stadium view. Its trendy modernist interiors showcase Western-Japanese fusion cuisine, including healthy options and themed meals. In the evening, it transforms into a stylish bar, creating an interactive space for spectators and event participants.

Speaking on the launch, Takeshi Yoshimoto, CEO of CA SEGA JOYPOLIS, said, “Opening the first authorised JOYPOLIS SPORTS flagship outside Japan in Hong Kong is a significant step in our global expansion. We selected Kai Tak Sports Park and its Kai Tak Mall for their excellent location and first-class facilities, which are sure to attract many local and international visitors. We believe this new indoor amusement park, which combines cutting-edge technology and innovative entertainment elements, will bring unprecedented entertainment experiences and surprises to all visitors.”

Andrew Tsui, general manager of JOYPOLIS SPORTS HONG KONG, added, “We are thrilled to bring JOYPOLIS SPORTS to Hong Kong. With its mission “Sports for All Generations,” combined with the sportainment concept, unites the world’s top technology sports games to create a unique interactive experience for everyone. JOYPOLIS SPORTS is dedicated to offering exciting and fun entertainment for both locals and visitors. Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast, new to sports, or just looking to relax with friends, JOYPOLIS SPORTS has you covered. Our themed restaurant blends a healthy lifestyle with delicious food, providing a perfect spot to enjoy time with family and friends. Our goal is to become the leading sports social platform, and we believe the JOYPOLIS SPORTS Hong Kong flagship will set off a new wave of sportainment excitement across the city.”

Tokyo, Japan – Creative innovation company R/GA has promoted Anthony Baker to the role of managing director of R/GA Japan. In his new role, he will focus on expanding long-term strategic partnerships to deliver creative solutions for clients that drive business growth in new ways. 

This strategy centres on intersecting expertise in strategy, brand, design, communications, and technology in unique and effective ways. 

In the past year under Baker’s leadership as general manager, R/GA Japan has achieved double-digit profit growth, while expanding its workforce by 30%. R/GA will continue working with Japanese brands to compete locally and internationally, while helping global clients expand in the Japanese market and reach new audiences. 

Some of the company’s recent collaborations include a disruptive Black Friday activation with gaming company PONOS, leading to an expanded partnership across the US, Japan, Taiwan, and Korea and earning international recognition at D&AD. R/GA has also strengthened relationships with long-term partners Nike and Google and brands including Shiseido, Fujitsu and Sapporo focusing on digital transformation, product activations and loyalty initiatives.

Speaking on his promotion, Baker said, “It’s rare to find strategic agency partners who grasp Japan’s distinct culture and bring together diverse, global teams, and network capabilities. R/GA stands out in offering exceptional talent and applying network accelerator tools in AI, cloud computing, search intelligence, and data in both Japanese and English. I deeply appreciate R/GA’s trust in me and my team’s support, as we take our work and operations to new heights.”

Meanwhile, Michael Titshall, chief executive officer for Asia-Pacific at R/GA, commented, “Anthony has driven R/GA Japan to achieve new levels of success, delivering exceptional outcomes for our clients. Our collaboration with PONOS, and global brands like Google, Nike and Fujitsu in groundbreaking work, underscore Anthony’s exceptional leadership. We look forward to continued impact under his guidance as R/GA enters its next phase in North Asia.”

With more than 25 years of global experience as a digital lead and technologist, Baker co-founded R/GA Japan, establishing key client relationships and strategic partnerships across APAC, driving business growth and securing international accolades. Anthony moved to Japan in 2017 from R/GA London having expanded the London office from 30 to 350 members in six years with clients like Nokia, Microsoft, Google, and Nike. 

Tokyo , Japan – AI research organisation OpenAI has announced the establishment of a new office in Tokyo, Japan. This marks the first time OpenAI has opened an office in the Asian region. Moreover, it is also announced that they are releasing a GPT-4 custom model optimised for the Japanese language.

In a blog post by the company, it said that they are committed to collaborating with the Japanese government, local businesses, and research institutions in order to develop safe AI tools that serve Japan’s unique needs and to unlock new opportunities.

“We’re excited to be in Japan which has a rich history of people and technology coming together to do more. We believe AI will accelerate work by empowering people to be more creative and productive, while also delivering broad value to current and new industries that have yet to be imagined,” Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, said.

As part of its Japan office opening, it has appointed Tadao Nagasaki as president of OpenAI Japan. In this new role, Nagasaki will lead the company’s commercial and market engagement efforts and help build its local team that will advance global affairs, go-to-market, communications, operations and other functions in serving Japan. 

“Our new local presence also gets us closer to leading businesses like Daikin, Rakuten, and TOYOTA Connected who are using ChatGPT Enterprise to automate complex business processes, assist in data analysis, and optimize internal reporting. ChatGPT also helps accelerate the efforts of local governments, such as Yokosuka City, which is leveraging the technology to improve the efficiency of public services in Japan,” the company said.

Tokyo, Japan – Second-hand clothing store SAFARI and McCann Japan has announced the launch of ‘SECOND LIFE’, a social commerce platform created to help pass on pre-loved treasured clothing to the next fashion generation in a meaningful way.

With this initiative, McCann and SAFARI have created a new business model – adding the stories of older people’s lives to their personal possessions and selling them to the younger generation, to create a brand-new shopping experience.

Launched in March, SAFARI’s new e-commerce site SECOND LIFE, is a place where people can purchase second-hand clothes along with their unique histories. The online store positions the clothing items as cinematic masterpieces, bringing the apparel to life by telling the special stories of each item of clothing – first dates, treasured moments with friends.

Additionally, the purchaser receives their chosen item together with the “story” and a postcard with a picture inspired by the story. The item is also accompanied by a clothing label, indicating the emotional elements that constitute the story.

A sample of the postcard highlighting the woman’s clothes when she was on a trip.

Talking about the initiative, Kazz Ishihara, ECD of McCann Worldgroup, said, “When we interviewed elderly people about their memories related to the clothing, their faces lit up with joy. So, we decided to use their words as prompts for an AI-generated image. The art direction is composed of soft, pastel colours to create a nostalgic, gentle and warm atmosphere.”

Meanwhile, Yusuke Tajima of SAFARI also commented, “In the course of running our vintage store, we have had many elderly people use our service. The experience has taught us that each piece of clothing contains a story, be it the owner’s memory or unique style. We felt that these stories themselves give the items value. And that is how we came to start the project. We hope that the vintage items will serve as a bridge that connects the elderly to younger generations.”

Tokyo, Japan – McCann Japan has recently appointed Charlotte Auyeung as its new head of strategy. Her appointment took effect in February 1 this year. 

She has over 20 years of account management and strategic planning experience at global advertising agencies including McCann and Leo Burnett in Hong Kong, Beacon Communications, Naked Communications and TBWA/Hakuhodo in Tokyo, where she led the strategies for companies such as P&G, The Coca-Cola Company, McDonald’s, IKEA, Airbnb, H&M and more.

In 2019, she took on a marketing role at Netflix Japan, where she led campaigns for popular shows including “Stranger Things,” “The Naked Director,” and “Alice in Borderland.”

Speaking on his new role, Auyeung said, “I’m thrilled to join McCann, whose mission to help brands earn a meaningful role in people’s lives aligns deeply with my own. Alongside our talented strategists and embracing McCann’s philosophy of ‘Truth Well Told’, I am eager to cultivate a team dedicated to uncovering consumer insights and brand stories rooted in truth, crafting strategies that inspire actionable solutions and creative excellence across platforms, growing brand and business for our valued client partners.”

Meanwhile, Takashi Aoki, representative director and president at McCann Japan commented on the appointment, “I am very excited to welcome Char to our leadership team. She is the ideal strategist to help us evolve McCann’s one-of-a-kind mission and philosophy in a modern way. She brings the expertise, experience and leadership we need to redefine our digitally-driven integrated solutions to grow our clients’ businesses and accelerate our transformation to become a more innovative agency partner for our clients.”

Lastly, Shilpa Sinha, chief strategy officer at McCann Worldgroup Asia Pacific, said, “I am delighted to welcome Char to the APAC Strategy Leadership Community. Char brings a wealth of strategic experience, building power brands that have shaped culture. She also demonstrates the perfect combination of a thinking and doing growth mindset, a fundamental for strategy leaders of the future. I cannot think of a better person to drive meaningful and effective creativity for our clients.”

Tokyo, Japan – Hakuhodo Inc., a Tokyo-based integrated marketing and innovation firm, announces the introduction of SIX JOURNEY by its subsidiary, SIX Inc. Within the Hakuhodo Group, the newly formed firm is a horizontal organisation focused on offering worldwide communication solutions for both Japanese and international brands.

Together with creators from SIX, SIX JOURNEY is a diversified team that includes foreign creators and PR and strategy experts from Hakuhodo’s global network. The team was established to assist global brands with their Asian expansion as well as Japanese brands with their entry into Asian and worldwide markets. Through the integration of modern technology and creative thinking, SIX, along with local sei-katsu-sha knowledge, collaborates to provide customised solutions for brands expanding into new markets.

The primary individuals in SIX JOURNEY are Devi Attamimi, the director of Hakuhodo International Indonesia and the institute director of Hakuhodo Institute of Life and Living ASEAN; Jin Saito, the creative director and co-founder of SIX Inc.; and Jasper Ilagan, the CEO and CCO of NJYN in the Philippines.

SIX JOURNEY is forming teams, bringing together innovators from diverse Asian countries to create globally relevant branding initiatives. The ongoing collaboration between Hakuhodo and SIX works to use the Group’s comprehensive strengths, creating synergies that benefit clients’ businesses. The initiative places a strong emphasis on cross-cultural approaches to creative content and branding.

Speaking about the company, Jin Saito, creative director and co-founder of SIX Inc., said, “SIX JOURNEY aims to produce strong and unified creativity by collaborating with creators from all around the world to form a creative team supporting the overseas expansion of Japanese brands and the entry of

international brands into Japan and Asia.”

Hong Kong – TUMI, an international travel, lifestyle, and accessories brand, announced the opening of its first flagship shop in the Asia-Pacific area. The recently created store draws influence from the brand’s classic 19 Degree collection and stands as the pioneer of its sort on a global scale. It is located in Omotesando, a prominent luxury fashion hotspot in Tokyo, Japan.

TUMI hosted an exclusive VIP preview event on December 20 to celebrate this accomplishment. Victor Sanz, TUMI’s creative director, Takumi Kitamura, a Japanese actor and singer, as well as TUMI executives, business partners, VIPs, and media and influencers from different regions, attended the occasion.

The ground floor flagship store is more than 2,000 square feet in size and features a design with over 250 aluminium fins and hundreds of LED lights illuminating the distinct curves of the 19 Degree range. Inside, a 19 Degree Aluminum sculpture by Michael Murphy creates the illusion that it is changing into the TUMI “T” logo as people wander around it. It is a perceptual artwork.

Speaking about the launch, Victor Sanz, creative director of TUMI, said, “We are thrilled to unveil TUMI’s newly designed store in Omotesando. Not only is it our first flagship store in Asia-Pacific, but it’s also one of our most ground-breaking store concepts globally. We’ve taken the superior quality, design excellence and technical innovation that defines TUMI and created a completely unique design that is inspired by our 19 Degree collection. From the sculptural 3D facade to the upgraded materials, each carefully planned detail and element speaks to TUMI’s brand DNA,”

Hong Kong – Chinese catering group Fulum Group Holdings has entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with Sunpark Holdings, an F&B corporation in Japan, to further expand its diversified F&B offerings.

In this new partnership, Fulum Group will introduce multiple of Sunpark’s F&B brands into the Hong Kong food scene. These brands are ‘Takagi Coffee’ that provides specialty coffee and pancakes; ‘Karubi Kazan’ that offers handcrafted barbeque meat rice bowls; and ‘Hachikian’ that specialises in chicken dishes.

The restaurants will be located in the city centre with high foot traffic to attract the younger generation.

With Sunpark already eyeing Hong Kong as its next destination for expansion, its partnership with Fulum will materialise this plan. Meanwhile, Fulum’s cooperation with Sunpark is expected to further diversify the group’s restaurant portfolio.

This strategic agreement is the result of an initiative organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Tokyo) and InvestHK. The Hong Kong F&B Mission aims to business match and network the F&B corporations in Hong Kong and Japan.

Samuel Yeung, CEO of the Fulum Group, said, “Hong Kong people have always favoured Japanese cuisine. Sunpark offers various specialty F&B brands and has decades of experience and insights of the industry, which is what Fulum is trying to achieve with our diversified restaurant mix. We are very excited about this strategic cooperation. Looking forward, we will continue to closely monitor latest trends and hope to introduce more of Sunpark’s brands in hopes of offering even more gourmet options in Hong Kong.

Ken Takagi, CEO of Sunpark, also shared, “Sunpark is committed to bring quality Japanese food at highest level of hospitality from Japan to the world, one store at a time. We are honoured to partner with a strong partner like Fulum Group. This cements our relationship as family.”

Meanwhile, Leo Tze, acting principal Hong Kong economic and trade representative for Tokyo, commented, “Today I am happy to witness the signing of the first deal resulting from this mission, namely this partnership agreement between Sunpark and Fulum. I wish them every success in their business in Hong Kong. I believe this would be the good start and hope to hear more good news amid ongoing partnership discussion of the participant companies.”

Also speaking on the partnership, Alpha Lau, director-general of investment promotion at Invest Hong Kong, said, “When foreign and local players work together, in a strategic partnership like that of Fulum and Sunpark, I believe the synergy will only mean even more opportunities and growth potential for both sides. This partnership is the result of our collaborated programme with colleagues at Tokyo ETO. Going forward, Invest Hong Kong will continue to work with ETOs around the world to assist more Mainland and foreign companies to set up their base in Hong Kong.”

Japan – Global creative and media agency VaynerMedia has recently announced its appointment of Kota Murakami as its new country manager for Japan.

In his new role, Murakami will be responsible for shaping the footprint and business expansion for VaynerMedia in the Japanese market, with a focus on growing the agency’s portfolio and ensuring the delivery of business solutions that build clients’ brands while fuelling maximum business impact and cost advantage.

Kota’s expertise lies in seamlessly integrating global innovation with local market insights, holding a proven track record of propelling business growth in the realm of advertising and digital media. Recognised as a trusted advisor to leading brands worldwide, Kota is also adept at steering clients and organisations to challenge industry norms while driving impactful changes.

Prior to joining VaynerMedia, Murakami was with Essencemediacom for over seven years, with his most previous role being the managing director for Japan, wherein he co-led the agency and played a pivotal role in winning key pitches for clients such as Uber and Tiffany & Co. during his tenure. 

He also holds a remarkable track record of successful engagements including leading the Google account at Essence Japan, serving as Global Account Director at Tag in New York, and partnering with renowned brands like Uniqlo, Bayer, and DIAGEO.

Speaking on his own appointment, Murakami said, “I’m really excited about joining the team during this period of growth. VaynerMedia is truly a one-of-a-kind agency; our talented people, empathetic culture and independent mindset allow us to continue our relentless pursuit of consumer attention. This allows us to help marketers deliver unwavering relevance through our modern approach to creative, media, and analytics, or all of the above as a full-service solution.”

“I just know that this will be a game changer for brands in Japan to evolve their marketing, and succeed in the social-first era and beyond. I am looking forward to solidifying VaynerMedia as a key partner for businesses in Japan, enabling them to achieve relevance with consumers, and to meet their business goals for both the present and the future,” he added. 

Meanwhile, Tim Lindley, managing director at VaynerMedia Asia Pacific, commented, “Kota is a fantastic business leader. His unique accomplishments, ambition, and empathetic leadership style excited me from the first moment we met. He possesses amazing insight into the Japanese market, a sharp, global perspective, and a holistic marketing approach that will take us from strength to strength as we continue to bring media, creative, and analytics back together to drive real business impact for our clients.“

“He has an incredible passion for innovation, a track record for nurturing world-class talent, and an unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional results. He’ll definitely be a catalyst for our growth in Japan and an exceptional business partner for our growing clientele there. I’m looking forward to building with him, and learning from him, as we continue to grow in Japan and across the Asia Pacific region,” he concluded. 

Murakami will be assuming his role effective immediately and will be reporting to Lindley.