Aoki, who currently serves as representative director and president of McCann Japan, succeeds Ji Watson, who is returning to the US after many years in Asia. 

Speaking on her departure, Watson said, “As I prepare to hand over leadership responsibilities, I am filled with gratitude for the journey we have shared at McCann Worldgroup Japan. Leading this organisation has been a great privilege, and I am proud of all we have accomplished together, from driving consistent growth to building a culture of collaboration and innovation.”

She added, “Takashi has been a key part of that success. In the past two years, he has proven himself to be a thoughtful, strategic leader with a strong commitment to our clients and teams. I have every confidence that under his leadership, McCann Worldgroup Japan is well positioned for continued success.”

Aoki brings more than 25 years of experience in creative, digital, and integrated marketing. He began his career as a content planner and writer before spending 18 years with WPP, including more than seven years at J. Walter Thompson Shanghai, where he supported brand growth across Asia.

In 2018, he joined Publicis Groupe, where he led the launch of a digital transformation agency for a global automotive brand. He later held senior leadership roles, including general manager of Saatchi & Saatchi Tokyo and managing director of Media.Monks Tokyo.

Aoki was appointed president of McCann Japan and Craft Japan in October 2023, driving momentum with a focus on integration, creativity, and operational excellence. He also serves on the board of the Japan Advertising Agencies Association and sits on the advisory committee for Advertising Week Asia.

On his new role, Aoki shared, “I feel greatly honoured to be appointed as Representative Director & CEO of McCann Worldgroup Japan as Ji’s successor. Over the past two years, the evolution and agency transformation programme that Ji and I have driven together has yielded tangible results, positioning us as a powerful and agile organisation in this time of dynamic change.” 

“Moving forward, we will continue to expand our capabilities and integrate our solutions, further enhancing our value as an iconic agency and delivering outstanding solutions to our clients,” he added. 

With his new appointment, Aoki will take on a broader remit across McCann Worldgroup’s Japan operations, unifying creative, digital, and production capabilities under one vision while retaining his role as representative director and president of Craft Japan. The leadership transition aims to strengthen McCann Worldgroup’s position in the Japanese market and enhance its ability to serve both domestic and international clients.

Ghassan Harfouche, president of McCann Worldgroup APMENAT, commented, “Ji Watson has been a transformative leader, driving sustained growth, seamless integration, and a deeply inclusive culture in one of the world’s most significant advertising markets. Her leadership in Japan has built a powerful foundation – one that positions us strongly for the future.” 

He continued, “I’m pleased to announce Takashi Aoki as her successor. In his current capacity as the President of McCann and Craft Japan, Takashi has demonstrated strong leadership with a clear vision and a deep understanding of our clients’ businesses. He brings the ability to lead across multiple markets and sectors, unite high-performing teams and deliver with creativity and operational excellence.”

“He is uniquely equipped to lead our next phase of growth in Japan and has been working very closely with Ji to ensure a seamless transition. I look forward to working with him and our Tokyo leadership team,” Harfouche concluded. 

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Aoki will be under the direct supervision of Ji Watson, the CEO of McCann Worldgroup Japan. He will collaborate closely with the regional and global network to lead the Japanese teams in delivering impactful solutions to help clients expand their businesses.

Aoki brings over two decades of experience as a strategic thinker in the realms of marketing, branding, and customer experience from his previous position as managing director of Media.Monks Tokyo. Throughout his career, Aoki has contributed to a diverse portfolio of global and domestic brands in industries such as FMCG, luxury, cosmetics, tech platforms, automobiles, tourism, pharmaceuticals, and food and beverage. He has worked for Dentsu Y&R Tokyo, J. Walter Thompson Japan, J. Walter Thompson Shanghai, Publicis Groupe, and Saatchi & Saatchi Tokyo.

Speaking about the appointment, Watson commented, “I am delighted to welcome Takashi Aoki to our management team. His multi-market knowledge and expertise leading cross-functional teams make him uniquely suited for this role. I very much look forward to working closely with him and our existing leadership team, accelerating our transformation to become the irrefutable leader in the business of creativity.” 

Meanwhile, Aoki expressed, “I am very excited to take on this role leading McCann and Craft in Japan. Both agencies have a unique presence in Japan, being part of a global network, as well as having a deep understanding of the Japanese market and also a strong roster of clients. I look forward to continuing to develop creative and effective solutions that address the challenges our clients face in this rapidly changing world, working closely with the teams in Japan as well as the APAC regional and global teams.”

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