Ryutaro Seki and Naho Manabe Join Publicis Groupe Japan

Publicis Groupe Japan is bolstering its creative line-up with the appointment of two award-winning creative leaders, Ryutaro Seki as executive creative director and Naho Manabe, as group creative director, reporting to Erick Rosa, chief creative officer of Publicis Groupe Japan.

Ryutaro is an established creative leader with over 20 years’ experience in Tokyo, New York and Bangkok bringing award-winning products, services and brands to market. Previously serving as creative director at Google, he specialised in advancing technology platforms for digital business innovation and oversaw the strategic planning and production of communications utilising cutting-edge technology. As Publicis Groupe Japan continues with its growth strategy to expand its digital, data, and technology offerings, Ryutaro’s contributions align perfectly with this mission. His ability to seamlessly integrate creativity with technology enhances the Groupe’s efforts and drives innovation for clients in Japan.

Naho brings a wealth of knowledge and experience having worked with a wide range of multinational brands, which she gained over 20 years at Hakuhodo Inc. Tokyo. Starting her creative career as a copywriter, Naho rose to the position of Global Creative Director while also becoming an author, working with an investment fund to scale startups, and implementing training platforms. Her exceptional work has earned her numerous industry awards and recognition, including Cannes Gold, Silver and Bronze Lions, One Show Gold and LIA Grand.

Publicis Groupe Japan’s chief creative officer, Erick Rosa, said, “We are delighted to welcome Ryutaro Seki and Naho Manabe to Publicis Groupe Japan as executive creative director and group creative director respectively. Their experience and innovative approach will be invaluable as we continue to enhance our creative capabilities. Both appointments show our commitment to delivering exceptional value to our clients, and we’re looking forward to seeing their contributions to our team, our clients, and the industry.”

Publicis Groupe Japan’s chief executive officer for Japan, Gareth Mulryan, added, “At Publicis, we are focused on being a business partner to our clients, supporting them in their marketing transformation. With Ryutaro’s expertise, we are able to enhance our offerings on strategic solutions supported by extensive technical capabilities and data insights to realise creative ideas that transform human behaviour. Many of the global brands in our portfolio will benefit from having a local talent like Naho who has a contemporary, global perspective and extensive international brand experience to help clients be relevant to the Japanese market.”

Ryutaro commented, "I’m excited to fully leverage my experience as a creative professional with deep insight into today’s fast-evolving digital landscape—both to drive impact for our clients and to help nurture the next generation of creative talent."

Naho added, "Publicis Groupe Japan is the ideal environment for me to build on my experience, working alongside some of the best creative minds in the world. I’m truly energised to contribute to our clients’ business success."