Weber Shandwick has made several key appointments across Mumbai, Singapore, and Tokyo, adding to the firm’s creative, consumer, operations, healthcare, and public affairs capabilities.
In Tokyo, KenZo Makino returns to the Interpublic Group of Companies as head of consumer, Weber Shandwick Japan, almost 20 years after opening FutureBrand in Tokyo. Makino held roles with Landor, then PwC, and most recently at local consultancy Enjin.
Kaoru Nakagawa was appointed senior vice president, healthcare, Japan, after almost a decade at Edelman Japan. Nakagawa brings more than 20 years of experience in corporate communications, branding, sustainability, and risk communications for multinational and public sector clients in Japan and New York, across healthcare and wellness.
Megumi Takayama joins the firm as vice president, public affairs, Japan, following a five-year stint as unit chief and global communications strategy lead at the Prime Minister’s Office of Japan, serving under both the Abe and Suga administrations.
In Singapore, Neil Leslie joins Weber Shandwick Singapore as executive creative director. Leslie has worked with numerous major brands across his more than twenty years of marketing and communications experience with agencies throughout Asia, including DDB, Ogilvy, BBDO, Saatchi & Saatchi, and Edelman.
Kavita Lakhani joins Weber Shandwick India as director, operations, India, working closely with Rohan Kanchan, managing director.
“Fostering growth for our clients and our people will always remain a key priority for our business,” said Tyler Kim, CEO, Asia Pacific.
“Kavita, KenZo, Kauru, Megumi, Neil, and Sharon bring an extremely diverse portfolio to Weber Shandwick. With fresh perspectives, a wide range of capabilities, and extensive experience across different sectors and specialties, our new colleagues will play an instrumental role in helping our community grow and evolve into the future.”
