HISTORY

Our late founder, Masao Inagaki, founded ASATSU (Asahi Tsushin-sha) in 1956 with only 4 employees. This small advertising agency with a challenger spirit grew rapidly to become the third largest agency in Japan. And in 1999, the merger with Daiichi Kikaku formed ASATSU-DK (ADK).

Starting January 2019, ADK will transform into a holding company structure with ADK Holdings Inc. (ADKHD) as a pure holding company. ADK will become a collective group of business entities in which each operating company will strengthen professional areas and increase productivity, optimising the output we can offer.

ASATSU INC. (1956-1998)

1956 MarchEstablished headquarters in Mejiro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, led by current Chairman Emeritus, Masao Inagaki. Began operations as advertising agency in Kayabacho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, primarily to handle magazine advertising
1967 MayHead office moved to Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
1984 JanuaryResource and professional tie-up with BBDO International, Inc. (currently BBDO Worldwide, Inc.) of USA
1987 OctoberListed on second section of Tokyo Stock Exchange
1990 JuneElevated to first section of Tokyo Stock Exchange
1991 MayEstablishment of strategic business alliance with Xinhua News Agency of China
1994 FebruaryEstablishment of joint-capital venture in Beijing, China, with umbrella company of People’s Daily
1995 JulyHead office moved to Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
1998 AugustResource and professional tie-up with WPP Group plc, one of the world’s top three advertising organizations

Dai-ichi Kikaku Co.,Ltd. (1951-1998)

1951 DecemberEstablishment of Dai-ichi Kikaku Senden Co., Ltd., at Ginza 7-chome, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, led by Naoya Sakai and Saburo Hotta. Began operations as advertising agency, primarily to handle radio advertising
1958 JanuaryGrowth necessitates moving head office to Ginza 8-chome, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
1961 SeptemberMoved head office to Ginza 7-chome, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, and changed name to Dai-ichi Kikaku Co., Ltd.
1962 SeptemberMerged with Futaba Kigyou Co., Ltd. (Chuo-ku, Tokyo) and Keishin-sha Co., Ltd. (Edogawa-ku, Tokyo)
1974 JuneCreated “DIK Network Partners”, a business tie-up with local agencies
1976 JuneBusiness tie-up with Doyle Dane Bernbach, Inc. (currently DDB Needham Worldwide, Inc.)
1981 NovemberMoved head office to Ginza 7-chome, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, and administrative office to current location in Uchisaiwaicho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
1988 OctoberMerged with Dai-ichi Ad Board Co., Ltd.
1996 SeptemberWent public

ASATSU-DK INC. (1999-2018)

1999 JanuaryASATSU Inc. and Dai-Ichi Kikaku Co., Ltd., merged, marking the beginning of ASATSU-DK
2000 NovemberEstablishment of ASATSU-DK VIETNAM INC.
2001 SeptemberAppointment of Koichiro Naganuma as President & Group COO
2002
AprilEstablishment of Shanghai Advertising and Decorating Co.,Ltd.
JulyADK Acquires Equity Stake in Animation Studio Eiken
NovemberHead office moved to “ADK Shochiku Square” Tsukiji,Chuo-ku,Tokyo
2003 April2003 Establishment of ADK Arts Inc.
2004 NovemberEstablishment of Drill Inc., a joint venture with Dentsu
2005 AugustEstablishes The University of Tokyo Asatsu-DK China Education Fund
2006
MarchThe 50th anniversary foundation
MayEstablishment of BOYS Inc.
AugustEstablishment of CGM Marketing, Inc. a joint venture with Dentsu and Digital Garage
SeptemberEstablishment of ASP Co., Ltd. a joint venture with Septeni
2009
JanuaryEstablishment of Okayama/Takamatsu office by consolidation of Okayama and Takamatsu office
JanuaryEstablishment of ADK-FORTUNE PVT. LTD.
JanuaryEstablishment of Asatsu (Shanghai) Exposition & Advertising Co., Ltd.
JulyEstablishment of Moscow Liaison Office
2010 MarchAppointment of Yoji Shimizu as Representative Director, President & COO
2011 AugustEstablishment of ADK Digital Communications Inc.
2013 MarchAppointment of Shinichi Ueno as Representative Director, President & Group CEO
2014 JuneADK has relocated its head office to “Toranomon Hills” in Toranomon, Minato-ku
2017
DecemberCompletion of TOB by Bain Capital Private Equity
DecemberTermination of the Capital and Business Alliance with the WPP Group
2018 MarchDelisting from the first section of Tokyo Stock Exchange

ADK Group (2019-)

2019
JanuaryTransformed into a holding company structure with ADK Holdings Inc. (ADKHD) as a pure holding company
AprilEstablishes Data Chemistry Inc. with JR East Marketing & Communications, Inc. and Tokyu Agency Inc. as an affiliated company of ADK Marketing Solutions Inc.
MayEstablishes FACT Inc. as an affiliated company of ADK Creative One Inc.
JuneEstablishes Studio KAI Inc. as an affiliated company of ADK Emotions Inc.
JulyEstablishes navy Inc. as an affiliated company of ADK Creative One Inc.
JulyEstablishes ADK Digital Operations Inc. with Northern Lights Inc. as an affiliated company of ADK Marketing Solutions Inc.
JulyEstablishes Croco Advertising Co., Ltd. as a joint venture with MicroAd China, Inc. as an affiliated company of ADK Marketing Solutions Inc.
OctoberADK Emotions Inc. makes d-rights Inc. a wholly owned subsidiary and Sunrights Inc. changes its name to ADK Emotions NY Inc.
2020
JanuaryADK Holding Inc. acquires shares of Vietnamese independent digital agency, VietBuzzAd in Ho Chi Minh City
JulyChanges the name of Asatsu-DK Singapore Pte. Ltd. to ADK Connect Singapore Pte. Ltd. in Singapore and establishes PT. ADK Connect Emotions Indonesia in Indonesia
NovemberChanges the name of IMMG Beijing Co., Ltd to ADK Emotions Beijing Co.,Ltd.