McCann Worldgroup Japan names new CEO

McCann Worldgroup has appointed Takashi Aoki (pictured) as the representative director and CEO of McCann Worldgroup Japan, effective 2 October 2025. He will continue assuming the role of representative director and CEO of McCann Japan. He will report to Ghassan Harfouche, president of McCann Worldgroup APMENAT.

With Ji Watson returning to the US to reunite with her family after many years in Asia, this leadership transition has been strategically designed to strengthen the positioning of McCann Worldgroup in Japan, reinforcing its integrated offering and future-forward capabilities to better serve both domestic and international clients in a rapidly evolving market. 

In his new role, Aoki steps into a broader leadership role across McCann Worldgroup’s Japan operations, further unifying the group’s creative, digital, and production capabilities under one strategic vision. 

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

In 2018, he joined Publicis Groupe, leading the launch of a digital transformation agency for a global automotive brand. He went on to serve in key leadership roles, including general manager of Saatchi & Saatchi Tokyo and managing director of Media.Monks Tokyo. 

Aoki was appointed president of agencies, McCann Japan and Craft Japan, in October 2023, and since then has driven business momentum with a strong focus on strategic integration, creativity and operational excellence.  

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.” 

“Aoki 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,” he added. 

Harfouche added: “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.  

“I’m pleased to announce Aoki as her successor. In his current capacity as the president of McCann and Craft Japan, Aoki 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.”  

Aoki said: “I feel greatly honored to be appointed as representative director and CEO of McCann Worldgroup Japan as Watson's successor. Over the past two years, the evolution and agency transformation programme that Watson and I have driven together have 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. 

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