ULTRASUPERNEW’S ‘TOKYO CALLING’ OFFERS CREATIVE OPENINGS AMID INDUSTRY LAYOFFS

Independent agency UltraSuperNew has launched “Tokyo Calling,” a recruitment initiative offering five roles at its Tokyo office following recent industry layoffs. Framing creativity as transforming rather than declining, the agency invites passionate creatives to work in Japan, positioning the move as both an opportunity and support during a turbulent period for the global creative industry.

At a moment when the global creative industry is grappling with uncertainty, restructuring, and layoffs, independent agency UltraSuperNew has chosen an unexpected response: opening its doors wider. Through a new recruitment initiative titled “Tokyo Calling,” the agency has announced five open roles at its Tokyo office, positioning the move as both a practical hiring effort and a symbolic gesture of solidarity with creatives affected by recent job losses across the industry.

The timing of the announcement is deliberate. UltraSuperNew’s statement comes in the immediate aftermath of layoffs announced by Omnicom, news that sent ripples through the global advertising and communications community. Rather than commenting from a distance, the agency addressed the human impact directly. “Omnicom’s announcements a week ago have created quite a stir. And not just for its timing. It’s hard to be festive when you’re fired,” the agency said, capturing the emotional dissonance many creatives felt during a season typically associated with celebration and optimism.

UltraSuperNew is clear-eyed about the limits of what it can offer. The agency openly acknowledges that it cannot absorb all those affected by industry-wide cutbacks. Yet, in launching “Tokyo Calling,” it has framed the initiative as a way to bring some measure of relief by offering tangible opportunities rather than abstract reassurance. In an industry where statements of concern often outnumber concrete action, the move stands out for its directness.

Founded as an independent creative agency with a strong cultural and design-led ethos, UltraSuperNew operates offices in Tokyo, Singapore and Amsterdam. Its identity has long been shaped by a belief in creativity as a bridge between cultures, disciplines and perspectives. That philosophy is evident in how the agency describes the type of talent it is seeking through this initiative. Applicants, it says, should be “super passionate people,” creatives who care deeply about their craft and are eager to connect ideas in ways they have never been connected before.

This emphasis on curiosity and cross-pollination reflects both the agency’s internal culture and the broader reality of today’s creative landscape. Traditional boundaries between advertising, design, technology and content continue to blur, demanding professionals who are comfortable operating across disciplines. UltraSuperNew’s call is less about filling narrowly defined roles and more about attracting individuals who thrive in complexity and cultural exchange.

Central to the appeal of “Tokyo Calling” is the opportunity to live and work in Japan’s capital, a city that has long exerted a magnetic pull on creatives worldwide. UltraSuperNew describes Tokyo as “one of the coolest cities on the planet,” highlighting not just its global cultural influence but its unique contrasts. The agency points to a culture that is simultaneously harmonious and chaotic, deeply spiritual yet relentlessly modern, and defined by a kindness that often surprises newcomers.

For many creatives, Tokyo represents more than a destination; it is a source of inspiration. From fashion and architecture to music, technology and visual culture, the city offers a dense, ever-evolving creative ecosystem. UltraSuperNew’s pitch taps into this allure, positioning relocation not merely as a career move but as a transformative personal and professional experience.

At a deeper level, the initiative also reflects a broader commentary on the state of the creative industry. UltraSuperNew is careful to distinguish between the challenges facing large holding companies and the health of creativity itself. While acknowledging the pressures confronting global networks, the agency rejects the notion that the industry is in decline. Instead, it argues that creativity is undergoing a fundamental transformation.

According to the agency, the industry is “scattering into new shapes, new places, new possibilities.” This perspective reframes layoffs and restructuring not solely as signs of contraction, but as part of a larger realignment. As brands rethink how they engage audiences and as technology reshapes production and distribution, opportunities are emerging outside traditional models. Independent agencies, studios and collectives are increasingly becoming sites of experimentation and reinvention.

UltraSuperNew’s positioning as an independent agency is central to this narrative. Free from the scale and complexity of holding company structures, independents often pride themselves on agility, cultural fluency and closer collaboration between teams and clients. “Tokyo Calling” can be seen as an expression of this independence, an attempt to attract talent not just with salaries or titles, but with purpose, perspective and place.

The initiative also underscores the increasingly global nature of creative careers. While layoffs may be announced in one market, opportunities can emerge in another, sometimes thousands of kilometres away. By opening roles in Tokyo and actively inviting international applicants, UltraSuperNew is encouraging creatives to think beyond familiar geographies and to view mobility as a form of resilience.

At the same time, relocating to a city like Tokyo is not without its challenges. Cultural differences, language barriers and the realities of working abroad can be daunting. UltraSuperNew’s messaging suggests an awareness of this complexity, framing the experience as one of learning and immersion rather than effortless transition. The emphasis on kindness, spirituality and harmony alongside chaos hints at a respect for the city’s nuances, rather than a superficial celebration of its coolness.

In an industry often driven by quarterly results and network-wide mandates, the tone of “Tokyo Calling” feels personal and values-driven. It acknowledges pain without dwelling on it, offers opportunity without grandstanding, and situates hiring within a larger reflection on where creativity is headed. This balance may resonate strongly with professionals who feel disillusioned by corporate upheaval but remain deeply committed to their craft.

Ultimately, UltraSuperNew’s recruitment drive is about more than five open positions. It is a statement about belief in creativity as a living, evolving force, and in people as its most vital resource. By extending an invitation to Tokyo at a time of uncertainty, the agency is betting that disruption can be met with imagination and that even in difficult moments, new paths can be forged.

For creatives navigating a shifting industry landscape, “Tokyo Calling” offers both a literal and metaphorical call to action: to move, to adapt, and to imagine what comes next when old structures give way to new possibilities.