TOKYO, May 15, 2022 – International media giant WPP has appointed Kyoko Matsushita as the CEO of their Japanese operations. She takes up this role after the merger of WPP with Essence where she was the global CEO.
Currently, Kyoko is the CEO of Essence Global, WPP’s global data and measurement-driven full-service media agency which has presence in 12 countries. Since 2014, she had been the CEO of the APAC region before being promoted in 2019.
In the new role, she would be based in Tokyo while working towards strengthening the collective capabilities of WPP’s business in Japan. In a press release, the company said she would be expected to identify growth opportunities, drive greater collaboration and cooperation across WPP agencies, and invest in people in a market with a rich history and strong cultural identity. She has served as the agency’s first Global Chief Client Officer, leading the Client Services practice, client satisfaction, and organic and new business growth
Before her stint at Essence, Kyoko had acquired almost two decades worth of experience in the advertising and marketing domain in US and Europe. Her previous stints were with companies like Leo Burnett, Sony, computer games developer Electronic Arts and Gree UK where she helped with the development of various mobile games including Assassin’s Creed.
As a $51bn advertising market, the third largest economy of the world and the fourth largest ecommerce market, Japan holds an important place for WPP. The group has brands like AKQA, BCW, Essence, Finsbury Glover Hering, Grey, GroupM, Hogarth, Landor & Fitch, MediaCom, Mindshare, Ogilvy, VMLY&R, Verticurl, Wavemaker, Wunderman Thompson and Xaxis operating from the country with high-profile clients like Amazon, Dell Technologies, Gilead Sciences, Google, IBM, Mars, Mitsubishi, Mondelez, Nestlé, Pfizer, P&G, Sony, Toyota, Uber and others.
Before being named Essence Global’s CEO, Kyoko served as the agency’s first Global Chief Client Officer, leading the Client Services practice, client satisfaction, and organic and new business growth. Expressing high regards for her professional achievements, WPP CEO Mark Read is confident that she will unlock new opportunities for the company. “Kyoko’s experience and work at the leading edge of technology and her appreciation for building a strong culture make her the perfect leader for our business in Japan,” he said.
Calling the new post as the opportunity of a lifetime, Kyoko said that Japan is close to her heart. She said the tremendous growth potential of the country excites her, and feels grateful for the chance to lead the WPP business in this market.