Key IPG Japan gender equality advocate leaves for Apple

Satoko Takada, formerly creative director of McCann Japan and co-chair of Interpublic Group's (IPG) Women’s Leadership Network in Japan, has left to join Apple as senior creative director.

Takada began her career at BBH Tokyo and worked at Ogilvy before spending just over seven years at McCann. Campaign contacted her regarding the details of the new role but she was unable to comment.

Takada has been outspoken about the importance of gender equality in Japanese advertising. In an 2017 interview with Campaign, she noted that an absence of data on female leadership, and of role models, was holding things back in the market.

IPG launched the Women’s Leadership Network (WLN) in Japan last June. Takada co-chaired it with Ji Watson, EVP and CFO of McCann Worldgroup Asia-Pacific. The organisation’s stated goal is “to create a comfortable, inclusive work environment where no glass ceiling exists” and in so doing attract and retain top female talent.

A McCann spokesperson said Rie Otsuka, business director of MRM/McCann, had replaced Takada as WLN co-chair. Otsuka has been at MRM for 20 years and currently oversees 15 account managers, according to an agency profile.