PUBLICIS GROUPE UNITES JAPAN AND SOUTH KOREA IN NEW REGIONAL STRUCTURE

Publicis Groupe Asia-Pacific has announced the creation of a Japan-South Korea sub-region, uniting its operations in both countries under connected leadership. Gareth Mulryan will lead as CEO, working alongside Nicole Roe. The move reflects rising client demand for scale, consistency, and collaboration across two of the world’s most influential advertising markets.  

Publicis Groupe Asia-Pacific has unveiled a significant structural change with the creation of a new Japan-South Korea (JSK) sub-region, bringing together its operations in both countries under a unified leadership and operating model. The move underscores the growing importance of these two markets to global brands and responds to increasing client demand for greater connectivity, scale and consistency across the region.  

The JSK sub-region will be led by Gareth Mulryan, currently CEO of Publicis Groupe Japan, who assumes an expanded remit as CEO of Publicis Groupe JSK. He will work closely with Nicole Roe, CEO of Publicis Groupe South Korea, in a partnership designed to strengthen shared capabilities and accelerate collaboration while maintaining the distinct cultural and market strengths of both countries. Mulryan will also join the Publicis Groupe Asia-Pacific Executive Committee and continue reporting into Jane Lin-Baden, CEO of Publicis Groupe Asia-Pacific.  

Together, Japan and South Korea represent one of the world’s most significant advertising regions, with a combined population of 175 million people and an estimated advertising spend exceeding USD $70 billion. Both countries are widely recognised as cultural powerhouses, exerting global influence through their creativity, design, and innovation.  

Jane Lin-Baden emphasised the strategic importance of the move, noting that both markets are critical for global clients and healthcare brands. “Japan and South Korea are critically important markets for our global clients and healthcare brands. Both offices are known for strong creative and design capabilities. Both CEOs have achieved very strong business growth in Japan and South Korea in the past few years despite challenging market conditions. By creating the JSK sub-region, we are further strengthening our ability to deliver connected, future-ready solutions at scale. Gareth brings deep international experience after working in Europe, Southeast Asia, China and Japan, and has a proven track record in partnering with multinational brands. This structure positions us strongly for the next phase of growth in the JSK sub-region,” she said.  

Mulryan echoed this sentiment, highlighting the increasing expectation among clients for seamless operations across both countries. “Our clients increasingly operate seamlessly across Japan and South Korea and expect the same from their agency partners. By working more closely as one region, we can combine Japan’s experience in transformation, data and connected media with South Korea’s world-class creativity and cultural influence to drive even stronger outcomes for clients,” he explained.  

The JSK proposition is built on Publicis Groupe’s connected platform and its Power of One model, which enables clients to access scaled capabilities across media, creative, data, AI, production, and influencer-led content. This integrated approach is designed to provide clients with both the scale and the agility required to navigate increasingly complex markets.  

The creation of the JSK sub-region also reflects broader structural evolution within Publicis Groupe Asia-Pacific, which now consists of five sub-regions: Greater China, Southeast Asia, Australia & New Zealand, South Asia, and Japan-South Korea. This framework is intended to balance local expertise with regional connectivity, ensuring that clients benefit from both deep market knowledge and the efficiencies of scale.  

The decision to unite Japan and South Korea under one sub-region is particularly notable given the distinct cultural and market dynamics of each country. Japan has long been recognised for its expertise in transformation, data, and connected media, while South Korea has emerged as a global creative hub, with cultural exports such as K-pop and Korean drama shaping global trends. By combining these strengths, Publicis Groupe aims to create a unique proposition that leverages the best of both markets.  

Mulryan’s appointment to lead the JSK sub-region reflects his extensive international experience and proven ability to drive growth in diverse markets. Having worked across Europe, Southeast Asia, China and Japan, he brings a global perspective that will be critical in aligning the operations of two culturally rich and commercially significant markets. His collaboration with Nicole Roe, who has overseen strong growth in South Korea, is expected to create a leadership dynamic that balances local expertise with regional vision.  

For clients, the creation of the JSK sub-region promises greater consistency and connectivity across two of Asia’s most influential markets. As global brands increasingly seek integrated solutions that transcend national boundaries, the ability to deliver seamless operations across Japan and South Korea will be a significant competitive advantage.  

The move also signals Publicis Groupe’s confidence in the resilience and growth potential of both markets. Despite challenging conditions in recent years, both Japan and South Korea have demonstrated strong business performance, driven by their creative capabilities and cultural influence. By formalising their collaboration under a unified structure, Publicis Groupe is positioning itself to capture future opportunities and deliver enhanced value to clients.  

In an industry where scale, agility and creativity are increasingly critical, the creation of the JSK sub-region represents a bold step towards building a more connected and future-ready organisation. It reflects not only the strategic importance of Japan and South Korea but also Publicis Groupe’s commitment to evolving its structure in response to client needs and market dynamics.  

As Publicis Groupe Asia-Pacific continues to refine its regional framework, the JSK sub-region stands out as a model of how cultural strengths and market expertise can be combined to create a powerful proposition for clients. With Gareth Mulryan and Nicole Roe at the helm, the new structure is poised to deliver both creative excellence and operational scale, reinforcing the region’s role as a global advertising powerhouse.