Dentsu Isobar names chief business-transformation officer

Dentsu Isobar hired Emmanuel Flores Elias, formerly with J Walter Thompson Amsterdam, as chief business transformation officer for Japan.

The role is a newly created one, and the appointment is effective immediately, reporting to Hidetoshi Tokumaru, president and CEO of Dentsu Isobar.

Elias will be responsible for boosting service capabilities in the market, maximising talent and using his expertise in Agile development to support clients in their digital-transformation journeys, according to the agency.

"I am pleased to have someone of Emmanuel’s depth and breadth of innovation experience joining the Isobar family at this crucial time in Japan’s growth," Tokumaru said in a release. "As the third largest economy with a global reputation as an innovator, the nation as a whole is ripe for the next stage of transformation. And digital will be a core driver to propel Japan’s innovation agenda and spur economic growth through reinvention."

At JWT Amsterdam, Elias served as innovation manager, where he led digital transformation for global businesses.

Elias said he expects the Japanese market to take "a great leap forward through digital disruption, invigorating its entrepreneurial spirit while undergoing infrastructural transformation in preparation to stand in the global spotlight once more".

Originally from Mexico, Elias has worked in Europe for 19 years and has won two Cannes Lions Grand Prix and an Innovation Lion.