Mike Nakamura to Lead Design of Dentsu Aegis Network Entertainment and Sports

Dentsu Aegis Network has announced that Mike Nakamura, global president, dentsu X, has been appointed as executive director, DAN entertainment and sports. Mike will lead on designing DAN’s offering in entertainment and sports, reporting into Tim Andree, executive chairman and CEO, Dentsu Aegis Network. 

Mike will continue his leadership role at dentsu X, reporting into Peter Huijboom, global CEO media and performance and global clients, based in London. 

DAN entertainment and sports has been established to focus on production, rights and distribution of content and entertainment, as well as exploring opportunities in naming and broadcast rights, eCommerce and ad inventory and infrastructure for sports franchises. DAN will build from the learnings and expertise of colleagues at Dentsu Inc in Japan, who have a rich heritage in entertainment and sports. 

Mike will lead on consolidating the product, content business and market strategy in entertainment and sports, working with Alastair Shearly-Sanders, CCO Amplifi Global and Michael Iskas, President, The Story Lab Global. Mike will also align partnerships with entertainment and sports experts at Dentsu Inc. and within the DAN network. 

Mike has almost 30 years’ experience working in media and content. Having started his career at Dentsu Inc. TV division, Mike raised the bar of branded entertainment and content as a buyer and producer across TV and film, as well as sports marketing. After 20 years at Dentsu Inc, Mike moved to Thailand where he took over the reins as CEO Dentsu Media before transitioning to his current role as Global President for dentsu X.  

Mike Nakamura, global president, dentsu X and executive director, DAN entertainment and sports said: “I look forward to leveraging my early career experiences to design DAN entertainment and sports. DAN is in a unique position, with the chance to offer new revenue opportunities for sports franchises, content producers and our clients. We have already begun the journey with The Story Lab and Amplifi but the chance to activate with our agency brands across the network, and with our colleagues in Japan is clear. I can’t wait to get started”.  

Tim Andree, executive chairman and CEO, Dentsu Aegis Network said: “Dentsu Inc has an exceptional history in Entertainment and Sports. As critical players in major sporting events and properties, as well as a vast array of film and television experience, we come armed with the firepower to create new and innovative revenue models in this space. Mike brings the right knowledge from Tokyo, coupled with his global leadership experience to design a compelling DAN entertainment and sports offering for our clients, producers and partners.”