Hiroshi Igarashi

Hiroshi Igarashi's career at Dentsu is characterised by over three decades of dedicated service in the advertising, marketing, and media agency headquartered in Tokyo. Starting in 1984, he navigated a wide range of sectors, including food and beverage, financial services, mobility, electronics, entertainment, and retail. Over time, Igarashi shifted his focus towards business development. 

His journey within Dentsu saw him rise through the ranks, culminating in his appointment as Executive Officer in 2017. In March 2018, Igarashi was named Director and Executive Officer. With Dentsu's transition to a holding company structure, he succeeded Toshihiro Yamamoto as Representative Director, President, and CEO of Dentsu Group Inc. Today, Hiroshi Igarashi plays a pivotal role in shaping the agency's vision, corporate strategy and global leadership.

Hiroshi Igarashi joined Dentsu in 1984 marking the beginning of a prolific career spanning over three decades in the advertising- marketing and media agency headquartered in Tokyo. He has handled sectors as diverse as food and beverage- financial services- mobility- electronics- entertainment and retail, later focusing in particular on business development. Igarashi became an Executive Officer of Dentsu in 2017 and assumed the position of 'Head of Japanese Business' shortly.

After being named Director and Executive Officer of Dentsu in March 2018, Igarashi worked to promote group governance- develop business strategies and drive group-wide initiatives. With the transition to a holding company structure.. Dentsu Group announced that Toshihiro Yamamoto would retire as Chairman of the Board, Representative Director and President and CEO of Dentsu Group Inc. and would be succeeded by Hiroshi Igarashi as Representative Director- President and CEO. Igarashi has also served as Vice Chairman of the Business Group at Dentsu Group Inc. in addition to being a member of the Dentsu International Board. 

Per Agency FAQs: "As per the new structure, Igarashi will take direct control of all four of Dentsu's regions globally–the Americas, Asia Pacific, EMEA and Japan. Dentsu has been pushing a One Dentsu strategy to bring its international and Japanese businesses closer together and industry sources said the move to four regions under one global leader would be a logical outcome." Today Hiroshi Igarashi is responsible for shaping the agency's long-term vision and corporate strategy and leading its effective and sustainable execution in addition to achieving target metrics. Igarashi is also President of the Japan Advertising Agencies Association. 

"Dentsu holds a unique position in the industry as a business which was founded in Japan over 120 years ago. This longevity is both a reflection of our commitment to long term planning... and also our recognition that expansion is the key to growth" Hiroshi Igarashi told Creative Salon. "That is not simply about geographical expansion to increase revenue but to expand the breadth and depth of viewpoints- knowledge and understanding among our people. This diversity is truly the lifeblood of business and with that comes a criticality around equal opportunities and outcomes…"

Hiroshi Igarashi's vision for the advertising industry is shaped by a deep commitment to both the heritage and the future of Dentsu. His extensive career at Dentsu, spanning over three decades, reflects his dedication to the industry's enduring values and long-term planning. As a leader, he has actively championed the idea that expansion is pivotal to growth, not merely in terms of geographical reach for revenue, but also in expanding the depth and breadth of perspectives, knowledge, and understanding among Dentsu's team members. This visionary approach recognizes that diversity is the lifeblood of business and Igarashi places a critical emphasis on fostering equal opportunities and outcomes within the advertising ecosystem.

Under Igarashi's leadership, Dentsu embarked on a transformative journey exemplified by the transition to a holding company structure and the implementation of a "One Dentsu" strategy. His vision extends to bringing together Dentsu's international and Japanese businesses, creating a more cohesive and unified global entity. Igarashi's role as President and CEO of Dentsu Group Inc. positions him at the helm of shaping the agency's long-term vision and corporate strategy. His mission is to lead the organization effectively, ensuring that it not only meets but also exceeds its target metrics, ultimately driving Dentsu's continued success and relevance in the dynamic world of advertising and marketing.

Per Marketing Week- Igarashi said: "'We have formed a global group management team to further contribute to our clients' business growth and the realisation of a better society by strengthening our integrated growth solutions and to enhance our corporate value. Under this team, we will realise the potential of our 65,000-strong worldwide employee-base, bringing together their unique strengths within the countries and regions in which dentsu operates. This will allow us to achieve global business growth and improve profitability through synergies and increased efficiency."'