• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, March 16, 2022

Dentsu said today that it is in the process of selling its ownership in a joint venture through which it operates in Russia, due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The Tokyo-based holding company is the latest big ad group to disclose plans for cutting ties to Russia, following decisions to do so by WPP, Interpublic, and Publicis Groupe.

Dentsu operates in Russia by way of joint venture with a local company that employs approximately 1,500 people. “We are proceeding with negotiations to transfer the ownership of our joint venture in Russia to the local company,” which it did not identify, the company said in a statement.

The firm also said it is donating approximately 140 million yen (about $1.2 million) as humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and the surrounding areas, and that it is working to support activities in neighboring countries to ensure the safety of Dentsu employees.

That includes about 38 million yen that the firm donated to Ukrainian Red Cross Society in February. 

The company has about 500 employees in Ukraine via an affiliate with a local partner. Due to the Russian invasion, operations there have been suspended and the company is assisting staff and families with help including moving and housing support as well as employment opportunities at Dentsu companies in other regions.

The firm is offering refugee aid including providing accommodation arrangements, border transfers, legal assistance, psychological care, and assistance with daily necessities (such as clothing, first aid, mobile phones, sleeping bags and food) for people in Central and Eastern Europe and other refugee destinations in Europe.