TOKYO – Grey Group AMEA has announced today that Yumi Shibuya will be taking on the new role of Non-Executive Chairperson, with Yukiko Ochiai stepping up as the new Chief Executive Officer of Grey Group Japan.
Shibuya joined Grey as an Account Director in 1993, and worked on the P&G account. Promoted first to Group Account Director, she subsequently moved up the ranks to become President & CEO, Grey Group Japan in 2009. She is credited with leading the complete transformation of Grey Group Japan – from a traditional P&G-focused agency to a fully-integrated network offering Shopper Marketing, Activation, Digital services, and more. Demonstrating her flair for strategy and business acumen, her leadership resulted in great success and today, the agency has an impressive client roster, which includes the likes of P&G, GSK, Volvo, Kirin and Danone.
Yukiko Ochiai began her advertising career working on the P&G Hair Care range, including Vidal Sassoon, Herbal Essences, and Head & Shoulders, and led multiple beauty care accounts such as SKII, Max Factor, and Illume. She joined Grey in 2011 to lead several P&G Fabric and Home Care accounts, where her stellar performance over the years led to a promotion to Chief Operating Officer in July 2015, and to Deputy Chief Executive Officer earlier this year. She has been working in tandem with Yumi to successfully win numerous global and local brands whilst her leadership on the P&G brands has been exemplary.
Nirvik Singh, Chairman & CEO, Grey Group Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa commented: “Yumi has been a well-respected leader and done an outstanding job in steering Grey to a leading market position during her tenure as President & CEO. Yukiko has been an integral member of the Japan leadership team and we know she will continue with her success in her new role. Passionate about infusing the agency with fresh talent, and building a culture that is honest, collaborative, and people-first, her mantra of ‘be loved by our client’ will hold us in good stead for the future.”
“It is an absolute honour to receive this promotion. I want to thank Nirvik and Yumi for their continuous support over the years –this news is made even more special considering this is the network’s centenary year. I am excited to get started and to take this agency to even greater heights,” said Yukiko Ochiai, CEO, Grey Group Japan.
Yumi Shibuya, Non-Executive Chairperson, Grey Group Japan said: “It has been an amazing journey of 24 years at Grey. My team has been nothing short of supportive and extraordinarily talented. In addition, we have made great strides forward as a cohesive unit. I look forward to continuing to do our very best for our clients. Famously effective, always.”
In photos are Yumi Shibuya, Non-Executive Chairperson of Grey Group Japan and Yukiko Ochiai, Chief Executive Officer of Grey Group Japan.
