BCW, Ogilvy PR&I and Hill+Knowlton Strategies Integrate In Japan Under the BCW BrandDecember 16, 2019

TOKYO, December 16, 2019 – BCW (Burson Cohn & Wolfe), a leading global communications agency, today announced it will combine operations with Ogilvy, Public Relations & Influence (PR&I), and Hill+Knowlton Strategies (H+K) in Japan, effective January 1, 2020. The merged business will operate under the BCW brand and be led by Tsuyoshi Takemura, Managing Director and Market Leader, BCW Japan.

The decision to integrate was made due to clear synergies between the agencies, particularly the complementary skill sets of the local teams across corporate, issues management, consumer, technology, healthcare and digital, to enable full-service support to the BCW, Ogilvy PR&I and H+K client rosters. Under this combined strategy, Ogilvy PR&I and H+K will maintain separate legal entities and secure structures where potential conflicts exist.

“Japan is a critical market for clients building their businesses in Asia Pacific and globally,” said Donna Imperato, Global CEO, BCW. “With this integration, BCW becomes a one-stop communications shop for WPP network clients in Japan. The union of the deep talent and expertise of BCW, Ogilvy PR&I and H+K creates a team unmatched in its ability to compete in the market by creating innovative solutions for clients that truly move people and deliver measurable business impact.”

All staff will co-locate in the same office beginning in Q2 2020. Takemura reports to Matt Stafford, BCW Asia Pacific President.

BCW also announced the appointment of Hongdi You as Digital Director for Japan, responsible for enhancing the agency’s digital and social capabilities and bridging those of the combined team. You joins from Bytedance K.K., where she worked as Marketing Manager, overseeing TikTok Japan’s brand expansion strategy in the market. She previously worked at balconia Shanghai, MISUMI Corporation, Reed Exhibitions and Novartis Pharma. You will report to Takemura, with a dotted line to Joe Peng, Managing Director and Head of Digital Innovation, Asia Pacific.