Weber Shandwick Announces Leadership Changes in Japan
Weber Shandwick Announces Leadership Changes in Japan
Friday, July 17, 2009 NEW YORK – July 17, 2009 – Weber Shandwick, one of the world’s leading global public relations firms, today announced that Takeo Nishitani, president and CEO for Japan, is to be appointed as Representative Director and Chairman of the firm’s Japanese operations, effective August 1, 2009. At the same time Mr. Akihiko Kubo will join the Board as President and CEO and will be responsible for operational management of the business.
Akihiko Kubo joins Weber Shandwick with extensive experience in the development of integrated marketing services programs for both domestic and international clients at McCann Erickson Japan, Weber Shandwick’s sister company within the Interpublic Group.
After serving as the managing director of McCann’s Osaka Office, he was appointed member of the board of directors in 2005. In 2007, he was assigned to the London office as global business director, where he assisted Japanese and international companies with their communications activities in various markets around the world.
Weber Shandwick is one of Japan’s leading PR companies and boasts the longest history as a fully-fledged PR firm in Japan. Earlier this year the company celebrated its 50th anniversary, and Chairman Takeo Nishitani has served the firm with distinction for over 37 years of that history. The company’s major clients include Tokyo 2016 Bid Committee, Adobe, Microsoft, MasterCard and NTT DOCOMO.
Harris Diamond, CEO of Weber Shandwick said: “Takeo Nishitani has been an outstanding leader of our business over many years and is one of the best known and most highly respected practitioners in the Japanese PR sector. We will continue to rely on his vision, experience and wisdom as we seek to maintain market leadership.
“Our new President and CEO Akihiko Kubo brings us outstanding experience, gained in Japan and international markets, in the delivery of highly effective integrated marketing programs for top Japanese and international clients. We believe that the combination of Mr. Nishitani and Mr. Kubo gives us the best possible leadership team to meet the needs of both our clients and talented professionals as our business continues to expand into new sectors and capabilities.”
On his appointment as President & CEO, Akihiko Kubo said: “I am looking forward to joining Weber Shandwick and will be making it my goal to utilize my experiences, both in Japan and globally, to offer the best expertise, ideas and service to effectively partner with our clients and grow an even stronger offering for our clients in Japan.”
About Weber Shandwick
Weber Shandwick is a leading global public relations agency with offices in 77 markets around the world. The firm’s reputation is built on its deep commitment to client service, creativity, collaboration and harnessing the power of Advocates — engaging stakeholders in new and creative ways to build brands and reputation. Weber Shandwick provides strategy and execution across practices such as consumer marketing, healthcare, technology, public affairs, corporate/financial and crisis management. Its specialized services include digital/social media, advocacy advertising, market research, and corporate responsibility. Weber Shandwick was named Global Agency of the Year by The Holmes Report and Large PR Firm of the Year by PR News in 2008. The firm also won the United Nations Grand Award for Outstanding Achievement in Public Relations an unprecedented three times. Weber Shandwick is part of the Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). For more information, visit http://www.webershandwick.com/.