Dentsu expands global Sports & Entertainment business

Dentsu will be expanding its global Sports & Entertainment business with fresh plans to grow its anime and sports analytics business in new regions. The announced was made at Cannes Lions 2025.

The division will now be led by Yoshinobu Ise, Dentsu's deputy global chief strategy officer.

As a result, Dentsu Anime Solutions will be expanded to serve China, Southeast Asia and North America. The business provides licensing and merchandising to broadcasters and streaming platforms as well as marketing options for brand clients. 

Dentsu Anime Solutions was launched in July 2023 in Japan to leverage the growing popularity of anime.That year, the annual global anime industry grew to a record $21.27 billion, according to the Association of Japanese Animations (AJA), with non-Japan revenues surpasseing domestic revenues.

Meanwhile, Dentsu Sports Analytics (DSA), the specialist research, evaluation and data division also formed in 2023, will now be expanding into the MENA region, with the appointment of Samah Raydan, VP, DSA, MENA based in Saudi Arabia.  

“Dentsu Sports & Entertainment represents a groundbreaking step in unifying sports, entertainment, and gaming under one integrated initiative," Ise said in a release. "By leveraging our extensive experience and networks, together with proprietary fan data, we are uniquely positioned to create culture-defining content that resonates deeply with audiences and drives significant commercial impact for our clients and partners."