Notice Regarding the Appointment of New Representative Director and President and Co-CEOs at Hakuhodo Kettle Inc.

Hakuhodo Kettle Inc. (hereinafter "Hakuhodo Kettle") hereby announces the appointment of a new Representative Director and President and Co-CEOs, effective April 1, 2026.

[Table of Appointments]

New Position | Former Position | Name Representative Director and President, Co-CEO | - | Genta Itoh Representative Director, Co-CEO | - | Naotaka Suekuni Senior Advisor, Executive Creative Director | Representative Director and President, CEO | Ken Funaki STOVE Company General Producer and Hakuhodo Seikatsusha Interface Business Promotion Division | Director, COO | Toshihiko Hara

Since its establishment in 2006, Hakuhodo Kettle has been creating new forms of communication. As the role of communication expands to full-funnel strategies in line with the times, and further extends into business and management domains, we have appointed new Co-CEOs to ensure that Hakuhodo Kettle remains a command center for communication.

Under this new structure, we will continue to provide innovative integrated communication solutions that transcend the traditional framework of advertising.

Profiles

Genta Itoh (Representative Director and President, Co-CEO) Joined Hakuhodo in 2006. Involved in marketing and communication strategy planning for various companies across sales, interactive, and strategy departments. Seconded to Hakuhodo Kettle in 2016. As a creative director, he has built integrated communication strategies for various companies. In 2023, he participated in the launch of Earth hacks & Co., serving as CBO. Major awards include the NY Festival Best in Show, Spikes Asia Grand Prix, and the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Award/ACC Grand Prix. Served as an ADFEST juror in 2023.

Naotaka Suekuni (Representative Director, Co-CEO) Joined Hakuhodo DY Media Partners in 2009. After working in digital media buying and planning, and integrated media planning including mass media, he became a media-driven planning and development planner. Seconded to Hakuhodo Kettle in 2016. As a creative director, he builds communication strategies from upstream to downstream, focusing on PR and activation perspectives in addition to a media-centric view. Major awards include Cannes Lions, ACC, and the Japan Media Arts Festival.

About Hakuhodo Kettle Inc. Company Name: Hakuhodo Kettle Inc. Establishment Date: April 3, 2006 Capital: 90 million yen Website: https://www.kettle.co.jp/