WPP elevates Japan CEO to lead Creative APAC

WPP has appointed its Japan chief executive officer (CEO), Kyoko Matsushita (pictured), as the new CEO of WPP Creative APAC.

Known for her eight-year stint at Essence as global and APAC CEO under WPP, Matsushita most recently served as CEO of the network’s Japan portfolio for nearly four years, a role she took on in 2022.

Announcing her elevation on LinkedIn, Matsushita said the new role sits at the intersection of technology, creativity and culture. "It feels like a culmination of my career and I look forward to working with talented teams across these agencies to reimagine growth and become the most trusted partner for our clients," she said.

She added that her journey has been shaped by diverse experiences across brand, communications, technology, creative and media agencies. "Having lived and worked across Europe, the US, and now APAC, I've gained a deep appreciation for global markets and varied perspectives. These experiences have fueled my passion for pushing boundaries, championing data, technology, and most importantly, our incredible talent," Matsushita said.

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According to her, innovation and fostering diverse, inclusive environments have been central to her leadership. "Now, I'm excited to take on this new challenge across the dynamic and vibrant Asia Pacific region," she added. "APAC is a hotbed of creativity and potential, and my varied global and industry experiences only reinforce my belief in the immense possibilities here."

Prior to joining WPP, Matsushita led GREE International’s mobile game studio in London, and held roles at Electronic Arts (EA) as a senior APAC and EMEA marketing manager, as well as at Sony and Leo Burnett.

Matsushita will continue to be based in Tokyo, Japan. MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out to WPP for more information. 

A month ago, WPP appointed Jon Cook, longtime global CEO of VML, as global CEO of WPP Creative. The appointments come as WPP rolls out a single umbrella structure for its agencies, including VML, Ogilvy, Burson, AKQA, Landor, Design Bridge and Partners and more.

In announcing the structure, Cook said, "These agencies will remain distinct and powerful in their own right, and we’re finding new ways to bring them closer together, unlocking even greater collaboration and creativity to drive transformation and growth for our clients."

Earlier this year, WPP also launched WPP Production, a global content powerhouse aimed at helping clients reimagine growth through production, generative AI and cinematic storytelling. The move brings together WPP’s production capabilities, including Hogarth, into a single platform designed to deliver speed, scale and creativity.

Richard Glasson, global CEO of Hogarth, has been appointed to lead the new division as global CEO. WPP describes the unit as the world’s largest and most advanced content production operation, with nearly 10,000 people across more than 40 cities.

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