Tag: Masatsune Shironishi

Japan – Nexxen, a global advertising technology platform with deep expertise in data and advanced TV, has appointed Masatsune Shironishi as its new vice president, country manager for Japan.

With over 30 years of experience in marketing, sales, and advertising, Shironishi brings deep expertise in linear TV, in-stream video, over-the-top (OTT) and connected TV (CTV), digital media, ad tech, and branding solutions to Nexxen. Based in the company’s Tokyo office, he will play a key role in driving Nexxen’s growth in the Japanese market.

Before joining Nexxen, Shironishi spent nearly three years at Microsoft Advertising as regional vice president, marketplace development. During his tenure, he successfully led the launch of Netflix Ads in Japan—where Microsoft served as the tech partner—and played a key role in advancing programmatic business strategies across Microsoft-owned platforms.

Shironishi also held leadership roles at leading ad tech firms, including Xandr, Amobee, and Videology. His career also includes senior sales positions at OpenTable, Elsevier, and I&S BBDO, further showcasing his expertise in driving growth across digital media and advertising.

Commenting on his appointment, Shironishi said, “I am thrilled to join Nexxen as its new VP, Country Manager for Japan. Given Nexxen’s strengths as a platform – particularly in data, CTV and creative solutions – I’m confident we’ll be able to help to transform advertising strategies throughout the Japanese market, and I’m eager to leverage my industry experience to drive this growth.”

“We are delighted to welcome Masatsune Shironishi as our new VP, Country Manager for Japan. His extensive knowledge and skill set will be instrumental to innovating within Japan’s digital advertising ecosystem, and we look forward to working with him as Nexxen continues to expand its presence across Asia,” said Josif Zanich, managing director for JAPAC at Nexxen.

Singapore – Xandr, the advertising and analytics division of global telco AT&T, is continuously investing in more talents across their Asia-Pacific (APAC) market by the recent appointments of Masatsune Shironishi as managing director for Japan, and Nicole Prior as managing director for Australia and New Zealand.

Shironishi’s appointment takes effect immediately, while Prior’s appointment will take effect by 1 November this year.

In their new roles, Shironishi will be responsible for building on the early successes of the business, localizing go-to-market efforts and ensuring Xandr is well placed to grow in digital video and connected TV. Meanwhile, Prior’s remit will include overseeing the Australian business operations and continuing the momentum that the team has established in building a premium Australian video marketplace.

Prior to their new roles, Shironishi joined from Amobee Japan where he was country manager and brings deep industry experience and expertise across media agencies, TV, digital media and advertising technology. He has also worked at OpenTable, Elsevier and Microsoft in various senior sales and product roles.

Meanwhile, Prior was formerly the chief media partnerships Officer at IPG Mediabrands’ UM and brings extensive agency and broadcaster experience with executive roles held at MediaCom, Finecast, Ikon Communications, Network 10 and Seven Network.

Both new hires will be reporting to Jerome Underhill, head of global regions at Xandr.

“Xandr has experienced strong growth across APAC as advertiser demand grows for premium, brand and privacy safe environments and publishers and broadcasters seek to meet that demand through partnerships with Xandr. These senior leadership appointments are reflective of the broader investments we are making throughout APAC to allow us to best serve our expanding set of customers,” Underhill said.

The company is also continuing to build its APAC leadership team including a general manager to lead Southeast Asia and India. Xandr has already expanded the leadership team, with Tom Dover having relocated from Sydney to Singapore as director, video marketplace development for APAC. Tom will be responsible for accelerating Xandr’s video-first product adoption delivering creative and differentiated solutions to the region’s largest agencies and advertisers.