BlueCurrent Japan has appointed Megumi Hayakawa as vice president in Tokyo.
She joins after 19 years at Procter & Gamble, where she was most recently senior manager for brand PR.
P&G has been a BlueCurrent client since the firm was established nine years ago and is the agency’s largest client. CEO Tetsuya Honda says the agency would not be where it is without the brand.
"P&G has always been a partner, not just a client, and we worked together to develop new methodologies for marketing and PR initiatives, to move away from traditional media relations," Honda told PRWeek.
Hayakawa said her main responsibilities are to lead BCJ’s account team and to integrate it more closely with the firm’s planning and consumer insight group.
She said this is a "unique setup" for an agency in Japan, as it provides a wider offering to clients, with people on the account side with primarily PR experience and on the consumer insight team with advertising and media backgrounds.
"I am looking to contribute by using my experience to drive the synergies between these two teams and create better output," Hayakawa said.
Hayakawa is also keen to develop the talent at the firm and create a group that can open dialogues with senior executives at brands while offering a comprehensive PR service.
"We have many young, talented and passionate workers, and I look forward to developing their capabilities," she said.
Honda said he wants the agency to move into strategic planning for brands’ communications platforms, as well continuing its current services, because it is an area that has significant potential.
"We want to develop deeper relationships with our clients; not just supporting their communications services," he said. "We have to think about how to position ourselves but if we do it, there are huge opportunities out there."
While not specifically looking to recruit further, Honda said BlueCurrent is open to making additions to its account and creative teams.
