FleishmanHillard names new president for Japan and VOX Global Japan

Global PR agency FleishmanHillard has appointed Ryo Kanayama (pictured) as president of FleishmanHillard’s Japan Group of companies, including FleishmanHillard Japan and VOX Global Japan. He reports to FleishmanHillard's APAC president Joanne Wong and succeeds Shin Tanaka, who joined the company in 1997.

The appointment takes place as FleishmanHillard Japan embarks on a new chapter of growth, helping clients navigate post-pandemic transformations.  

Connecting clients with FleishmanHillard’s global and regional network, the agency will deliver data-driven communications expertise to clients across borders and help them identify and effectively engage their stakeholders. 

Kanayama returns to FleishmanHillard after serving as a partner at Deloitte Japan (also known as Deloitte Tohmatsu Group) for its clients and industries and brand marketing groups. He originally joined the agency in 1999 and was a key leader in conceptualising and advocating for a strategic communications model in Japan.  

During his eight-year tenure, he also led the corporate reputation and issues management practice before moving to the corporate world to lead the corporate affairs function at Walmart Japan and Seiyu. 

“We’re thrilled to have Kanayama return to FleishmanHillard in this role and help grow the agencies,” said Joanne Wong, FleishmanHillard APAC president. “Kanayama has extensive experience driving transformation and societal change working with businesses, non-profits, governmental entities and local communities.” 

“With his experience both in-house and within consultancies, Kanayama can effectively lead and coach our own team, as well as our clients, to advance the use of communications as a strategic and effective business problem-solving tool to drive desired outcomes. He recognises how such outcome-oriented, value focused communications offerings enable us a competitive and distinct proposition to capture evolving market opportunities in Japan,” she added. 

Continuing to support the agencies will be managing directors Atsuko Kamegaya and Ryoji Tanabe, who will report to Kanayama and form the operations’ core leadership team. Shin Tanaka, founding president of FleishmanHillard Japan, will act as a senior advisor to offer senior counsel and advice to clients. 

“I look forward to collaborating with our team to take the business to its next stage of growth,” said Kanayama. “Japan continues to play a critical role on the world’s stage and the evolving business and market environments require both local insights and connectivity to global offerings. FleishmanHillard and VOX Japan are well-positioned to respond to growing outbound and inbound client needs in corporate reputation, public affairs, financial communications and special situations.”  

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