Kazutoyo Kato promoted to lead I&S BBDO in Japan

Kato will succeed Masayuki ‘Yuki’ Nozoe, who is leaving the agency after a period of two-and-a-half years.

Most recently, Kato served as executive vice-president and managing director of I&S BBDO.

Prior to that, he was managing director and president of BBDO J West, a Kyushu-based subsidiary. He joined the agency in 1979 when it was known as Dai-ichi Advertising.

In a statement, Nozoe said he was “leaving the agency in very capable hands”.

Expressing thanks to Nozoe for his time as head of the agency, BBDO’s global president and chief executive Andrew Robertson added that Kato was “highly respected by everyone who works with him”.

Meanwhile Chris Thomas, regional chairman and chief executive, paid tribute to Kato’s achievement in “building J West into a creatively vibrant office”. Thomas said that Nozoe was leaving to pursue personal interests outside the advertising industry.

Nozoe was formerly co-president of Sony Pictures.

Kato’s appointment is effective as of this month.