Dentsu names Yuichi Toyoda as APAC CEO

Dentsu has internally promoted Yuichi Toyoda as chief executive officer for APAC, effective January 1, 2026.

Toyoda, currently managing executive officer at Dentsu Japan and president of its business transformation (BX) practice, will also join the group’s executive management team.

The appointment follows Dentsu's intention to sell or seek partners for parts of its international network, following slowing growth and declining revenues outside Japan. Dentsu also announced trimming 8% of its overseas workforce, roughly 3,400 jobs, after posting a revenue dip in H1 2025, with a YoY dip of 0.2%, APAC (excluding Japan) was the worst-performing region, suffering a decline of 8.9%.

Toyoda brings more than 30 years at Dentsu, including senior leadership roles in India, Thailand and China, where he is credited with turning around under-performing business units. 

Dentsu President & global CEO Hiroshi Igarashi said: "His deep knowledge of the region, extensive global experience and leadership in business transformation make him ideally suited to lead this dynamic and highly competitive region.” 

In announcing his appointment, Toyoda said: "We will choose to lead this transformation by building a new, ‘uniquely Dentsu’ business model, one that creates value beyond our clients’ expectations, supports their sustainable growth and contributes to the progress of society. Together, we will put Dentsu APAC back on a growth path and achieve sustainable, long-term success.” 

Dentsu has made several other key appointments in recent months. In June, Dentsu China CEO Guang Cui took on the role of interim CEO of Dentsu Media China, as Dephin Lim was named CEO of Carat China. The agency also appointed Derek Huang, Dentsu CXM China president and Merkle China CEO, as Dentsu X China CEO, while Ami Qian was named chief client officer of Dentsu China. 

In August, Rob Harvey was appointed Dentsu ANZ CEO following Patricio De Matteis' exit after 2.5 years in the role.

Toyoda succeeds Yoshiki Ishihara, who has served as interim APAC lead for 13 months following Rob Gilby's exit as APAC CEO in September 2024. Ishihara will return to his role as global chief strategy officer at the end of the year.