McCann Japan's Katagi resigns

Yasuyuki Katagi has resigned from McCann Worldgroup after five years spent leading the network in Japan. His term at the company will end on 31 March.

Katagi has served since 2011 as representative director, president and CEO of McCann Erickson Japan and representative director and co-chairman of McCann Worldgroup Japan. Hiroshi Namiki, the other co-chairman, is still with the company.

Antony Cundy, who joined McCann Worldgroup from Wunderman last year as chief client officer, will assume Katagi’s duties until a successor is found, according to a statement from the agency.

A spokesperson for McCann did not comment as to the the reason for Katagi's resignation. His next move is also not known.

McCann’s leadership structure in Japan is relatively complex. In February last year, Asia-Pacific president Charles Cadell relocated to Tokyo from Singapore and added the title of representative director, president and CEO of McCann Worldgroup Japan to his regional duties. McCann has a history of stationing its regional leaders in Japan.

Prior to joining McCann in 2011, Katagi was executive director of Ogilvy & Mather Japan. In the statement, Cadell thanked him for his leadership and for helping to bring “an integrated offering to clients”.