Dentsu iX and Isobar to merge into Dentsu Isobar

Dentsu Aegis Japan will merge two of its subsidiaries, Dentsu iX and Isobar Japan, effective January 1, 2016. The new company will be rebranded Dentsu Isobar Inc.

As part of Isobar, one of the Dentsu Group’s nine global network brands, Dentsu Isobar will continue to promote the strengthening and expansion of the digital domain in Japan, the Group’s core market. The expansion of scale and integration of digital capabilities achieved by the merger of the two companies will enable the Group to provide a high level of value-added digital solutions in areas such as experience design and brand commerce to its clients, regardless of where in the world they do business.

Takahiro Uchinaga, currently CEO of Isobar Japan, will become Chief Client Officer of the new Dentsu Isobar agency, while Hidetoshi Tokumaru, currently CEO of Dentsu iX, will become CEO of Dentsu Isobar.

The combined agency will number over 300 people, making Dentsu Isobar the largest global digital agency in Tokyo. The move will provide clients with full service experience design and brand commerce capabilities in Japan, to service both international and local businesses in this connected world. It will enable the team to leverage Isobar’s global footprint to service more Japanese global clients outside of Japan.

Jean Lin, Isobar Global CEO said, “We are excited to expand Isobar in Japan, at a time of significant growth. Dentsu iX’s creatively-led technology teams complement Isobar’s global Brand Commerce offering, and further accelerates our ambitions both in Japan and globally. I am excited to welcome the Dentsu iX team to Isobar, and am proud that our teams will form the largest global digital agency in Tokyo.”

Tokumaru said, “We are excited to join Isobar network and to be the largest global digital agency in Japan. This move means that we will be able to collaborate with overseas offices for global clients and provide innovative digital solutions in Japanese market.”