Ji Watson is stepping down as CEO of McCann Worldgroup Japan after more than a decade with the agency. She will return to the United States to reunite with her family. Takashi Aoki has been named her successor, who will also hold dual roles as representative director and CEO of McCann Japan, and president of production agency Craft Japan. The appointment is effective October 2.
Watson has been at the helm in Japan since October 2021. She joined the agency in 2015 after senior leadership roles at Ogilvy, Samsung Electronics and The Coca-Cola Company. Moving to Tokyo in 2017 as EVP and CFO for McCann Worldgroup APAC, she was later promoted to Japan chief executive in 2021.
During her tenure, she oversaw the integration of McCann Worldgroup’s Japan operations and helped drive consistent growth across creative, digital, and production capabilities. According to Campaign’s Agency Report Card, under Watson’s leadership, Japan was one of the few APAC markets to perform well in the economic tumult of 2024, and that helped offset slower growth in Greater China and Korea. Watson was recognised on the Campaign’s Women to Watch list in 2022.
Aoki brings over 25 years of experience in creative, digital, and integrated marketing. His career started as a content planner and writer; he spent over 18 years at WPP, including seven years at (the now defunct) J. Walter Thompson Shanghai. He joined Publicis Groupe in 2018 and has previously held the general manager title at Saatchi & Saatchi Tokyo and managing director at MediaMonks Tokyo (now Monks). He was appointed president of McCann Japan and Craft Japan in October 2023.
In a statement, 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. Takashi has been a key part of that success. I have every confidence that under his leadership, McCann Worldgroup Japan is well-positioned for continued success.”
Aoki added: “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.”
Ghassan Harfouche, president of McCann Worldgroup APMENAT, praised Watson’s “transformative” leadership, citing her role in driving growth, integration, and inclusion in one of the group’s most important markets. “She has built a powerful foundation—one that positions us strongly for the future,” he said.
"I’m pleased to announce Takashi Aoki as her successor," Harfouche continued. "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.”
