Ogilvy & Mather Japan promotes Akihiko Kubo as first Japanese president

Kubo is currently executive vice-president of Ogilvy & Mather Japan, a role he took on in May 2012. Prior to that he served as president and CEO of Weber Shandwick Japan. Before that, he was with McCann Erickson for nearly 30 years, holding progressively senior roles in both Japan and overseas. These included a stint in London managing McCann's global relationship with Nestle and Hitachi.

Kubo said he is "honored to be appointed as the first Japanese president" of the group, which includes Ogilvy & Mather, OgilvyOne, Ogilvy Public Relations, Neo @ Ogilvy, Ogilvy Action, Redworks, Ogilvy design, and Red Wasabi.

Wertime will remain Tokyo and focus on the growth of the group and his role as COO of Ogilvy & Mather Asia-Pacific.