The move will see Red Peak Group’s brands, including RPMC and strategy and design division Red Peak Branding, become the initial members of Kyu, a new strategic operation unit. HDY said the unit "will serve as home for a small, distinguished portfolio of the world’s most entrepreneurial and generative agencies, design firms, and consultancies".
Michael Birkin, founder of Red Peak Group, will become chief executive of Kyu from 1 July. He said: "I’m delighted to have Red Peak Group companies be one of the founders of Kyu, and to have the opportunity to build this new group for Hakuhodo DY Holdings.
"Having lived in Asia and worked with Asian companies for a good part of my career, this is a momentous next step to help both new and established brands grow across the world. Kyu’s strategy, in which leaders of each partner firm collaborate to attract and build other companies that represent the future of our fast-changing industry, is a fresh and exciting approach."
Stephen Hall, chief executive of RPMC Europe, added: "This is indeed an exciting next phase for RPMC to expand our footprint and activities on behalf of clients. We’ve grown strongly in recent years and with this new partnership we will further enhance our best-in-class, advanced experiential services and sponsorship activations in sports and music."
Hirokazu Toda, president and CEO of Hakuhodo DY Holdings, said the formation of Kyu forms part of the company’s medium-term business plan to invest in specialised and advanced companies.
"With the completion of the SYP and Red Peak Group acquisitions and the appointment of Michael Birkin as the CEO of Kyu, we are off to the best possible start. We are not looking to build the biggest group with Kyu, but we are looking to create a group that will not be surpassed in the ambition it has for its clients’ brands."
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