Over the past year, Tokyo-based ad group Dentsu had seriously considered selling its international holdings, given its inability to drive significant growth outside of its home market for several years. 

But after months of discussions with potential suitors, no deals emerged.  

And according to newly installed Global CEO Takeshi Sano, a top priority now is to get the foreign operations back on track “aiming for an early recovery of competitiveness and profitability.” 

Sano issued his statement today, his first day on job after being appointed to the global CEO post in February. He retains his responsibilities as CEO of Dentsu Japan. 

With the renewed focus on shoring up international operations, Sano also asserted that the Japan business would continue to grow “while expanding its strengths more broadly across the global organization.” 

He said the company has reduced layers of management and has placed “much of our global leadership directly under the Global CEO. This allows us to gain greater clarity and faster responsiveness to the pace of business and our industry.” 

“Client-centricity is our new mantra,” Sano stated. 

 “In particular, we will further advance two key strengths. First is agility—anticipating client needs and leading with speed and flexibility. Second is deep and advanced collaboration across capabilities—bringing together and orchestrating Dentsu’s diverse expertise to ensure true integration is a differentiating multiplier and delivering fully integrated solutions.” 

Driving transformation across its businesses and culture is part of the strategy, Sano added. “In turn this will strengthen our global network in which diverse Dentsu talent can thrive across borders and areas of expertise.” 

In 2025, Japan was the company’s only growth market, posting a full-year gain of 6.2%. All other regions were down including the Americas, which posted a 6.2% organic revenue decline for the year.   

When it posted full-year results for last year in February, the company said the outlook for 2026 was flat to 1% growth. That includes a forecasted gain of 2% to 3% for the home market, a 2% decline in the Americas and 1% decline in both Europe-Middle East-Africa and Asia Pacific.