Publicis has announced a new Japan–South Korea (JSK) sub-region, bringing its Japan and South Korea operations under one roof to drive close collaboration and drive client growth.
Consequently, Gareth Mulryan, currently CEO of Publicis Groupe Japan, will have an expanded remit as the CEO of Publicis Groupe JSK. He will also join the agency’s APAC executive committee, as a JSK, Greater China, Southeast Asia, Australia & New Zealand, and South Asia representative. He continues to report to Jane Lin-Baden, CEO, Asia-Pacific. Nicole Roe, the CEO of Publicis Groupe South Korea, remains in her role.
Mulryan brings more than two decades of experience within the network, having held leadership roles across Digitas, Zenith, Performics and Publicis Media, and previously led Publicis Media Singapore to consistent double-digit growth.
"Japan and South Korea are critically important markets for our global clients and healthcare brands," said APAC chief executive Lin-Baden. "Both offices are known for strong creative and design capabilities. Both CEOs have achieved very strong business growth in Japan and South Korea in the past few years despite challenging market conditions. By creating the JSK sub‑region, we are further strengthening our ability to deliver connected, future‑ready solutions at scale... This structure positions us strongly for the next phase of growth in the JSK sub-region.”
Mulryan added: “Our clients increasingly operate seamlessly across Japan and South Korea and expect the same from their agency partners. By working more closely as one region, we can combine Japan’s experience in transformation, data and connected media with South Korea’s world‑class creativity and cultural influence to drive even stronger outcomes for clients.”
Publicis Groupe APAC now consists of five sub-regions: Greater China, Southeast Asia, Australia & New Zealand, South Asia, and Japan-South Korea.
Japan and South Korea are an important advertising region, with a combined population of 175 million people and estimated ad spend exceeding $70 billion.
Source: Campaign Asia-Pacific
