Meet Our Team
Global. Diverse. Creative.
Management
Client Success
Media
Studio
Join the Custom
Media team
Do you have the business knowhow, cutting-edge skills and talent to join us? We look forward to working with you.
Meet Our Team
Global. Diverse. Creative.
Do you have the business knowhow, cutting-edge skills and talent to join us? We look forward to working with you.
CEO and Co-founder
Robert is an accomplished entrepreneur and thought leader with more than 15 years of experience in digital marketing and strategic communications. He advises global brands on their market entry and expansion strategies in Japan. He has a passion for high-quality creative work and delivering strategic marketing solutions with a results-driven approach. He has an MBA from McGill University and a qualification in Digital Transformation Platform Strategies from MIT Sloan.
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Publisher and Co-founder
With extensive knowledge and key contacts from many years in the global print, digital, and broadcast media, Simon leads a diverse team of experienced editors, writers, designers, and photographers.
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Director of Corporate Affairs and Business Development
An award-winning IPO specialist, Masashi was placed on the global recruitment industry's "Hall of Fame" for being the first individual to take two companies to the Tokyo Stock Exchange, and was awarded the industry's highest accolade for his "unrivaled career in the recruitment industry". He has a varied and extensive background in publishing and recruitment, with solid managerial experience.
Advisor
Kunio has 30 years of business and brand management expertise, enabling direct access to corporate and affluent consumers. Prior to his other current position as Founder and CEO of Sekai Holdings Co., Ltd., an international real estate, financial, & business advisory company, he led the prepaid and new payment groups of American Express, as vice-president and general manager of Japan/Asia Pacific.
COO
Sam brings a wealth of experience in both B2B and B2C from an extensive marketing agency career and in-house roles as CMO. He has delivered integrated marcom campaigns across ABM, demand generation, marketing automation, performance marketing, digital, and social for blue-chip, mid-market and startup brands in Japan, APAC, and the UK.
Admin/Finance
Yoko's experience includes more than a decade of work with credit companies, back office support for an international manufacturer, and operations for an international medical conference. She aims to work as a liaison between the Custom Media team and our clients, while holding true to the spirit of omotenashi (Japanese hospitality).
Chief Revenue Officer
With over 10 years of experience in Japan, Jody has worked with many local and global brands on their cross-border promotions. Guided by her strong background in marketing strategy and brand development, she manages the business development team and handles the key accounts at Custom Media. Being trilingual in English, Japanese, and Chinese, she is also responsible for building networks with other creative agencies across the globe and engaging in joint projects.
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Chief Strategy Officer
Our bilingual strategic account director and head of project management, Megumi has excellent communication skills and a global perspective gained from extensive experience working in the United States, Canada, and Japan. She manages major marketing projects with global and local brands from various industries, ranging from hospitality and real estate to education and consumer products.
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Performance Marketer
As a digital marketing specialist with more than three years of experience across all verticals, Gautam brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. Thanks to his deep understanding of the latest trends, knowledge of the best practices in the industry, and passion for data-driven marketing, he knows how to craft campaigns that deliver maximum ROI.
Business Development Director
Kotaro has more than 10 years of experience with the American Music TV Station Group in London, Singapore, and Hong Kong. He has contributed to magazines such as SevenSeas, Esquire (Japan), Marie Claire (Japan), and Keizaikai. He is also the author of On The Road In Europe, a book chosen by Hajime Banno, CEO of Bose Japan, as one of the "greatest three books in my life" for the Bungeishunju Book Club in 2015.
Sales Director
Originally from Scotland, James gets a kick out of international communication, and has also lived in London, France, Malaysia, and of course, Japan. A master’s in music, followed by five years of innovative marketing experience with leading UK classical music organizations has given him the tools for the outside-the-box thinking that marks the difference in finding today’s most dynamic and forward-looking marketing solutions.
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Creative Consultant
Marla has more than nine years of experience teaching all age levels. She has also worked as a costumer service representative and a marketing associate at a study abroad agency. Marla moved to Japan a year after graduating from university to pursue a new life and new career. She earned a degree in linguistics and literature and has a background in nursing. She has a knack for connecting with people from all backgrounds.
Content & Digital Marketer
Angelina has degrees in marketing communications and brand leadership. She is passionate about building and managing brands, and during a career that has included brand ambassadorship, promotion, education, and account management, she has an exceptional track record of meeting and exceeding expectations. She’s known for her love of music and dogs, contagious laugh, and style.
Art Director
With more than 8 years of experience developing logos, corporate identity, infographics, and editorial design, Ximena has produced work for a diverse range of clients, from rural communities in Mexico to prestigious private institutions. She is involved in the production of advertisements and bilingual marketing collateral.
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Design Director
Michael has 15 years of design experience in New York and Tokyo. His works include advertising design for Kinosaki Onsen, which appeared in the Michelin Green Guide Japan, and redesign of The ACCJ Journal, the magazine of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan.
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CTO
Brian has 14 years of experience programming and designing interfaces and systems. With an eye for user experience, he has built platforms, websites, and created Custom Media’s bespoke administration, estimate, and invoice system.
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Web Director
Custom Media's front-end web engineer and designer, Devin has more than 8 years of experience in web architecture planning, designing and developing. He has an exceptional ability to creatively showcase digital projects, and is keen on employing the latest trends and functionality in the websites he designs.
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Content Director
Alec has 14 years of experience writing, editing, and managing social media for a broad range of publications in the United States and Japan, from educational textbooks and business journals to lifestyle magazines. He is the editor-in-chief of The Canadian, the magazine of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Japan.
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Japanese Editor
With a strong background in marketing and PR for the manufacturing, automotive, and SaaS industries, Rei has more than six years of experience writing and editing for both B2B and B2C. In addition to print media, she has an extensive knowlege of digital media—from blogs and SEO to SNS and search ads—and can help you create content that delivers results.
UX Engineer
While pursuing a degree in fine arts and advertising arts in Cebu, Rosalie worked as a designer for a small agency, creating marketing and branding content for major companies. She then moved to Sapporo where she worked in web design and development. She has handled projects for a variety of clients—everything from creating proposals and wireframes to publishing full-content websites.
Video Producer
Through his time as an award-winning reporter and working behind the scenes producing live television, Brendan has gained invaluable insights into every aspect of video production. From concept to delivery, Brendan always maintains a focus on storytelling, and how to best combine visual, audio, and graphic elements to create engaging content.