May 29 2019 (Wednesday), Tokyo Japan: HOGO has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Japanese creative agency Tomodachi. The agreement will be both agencies working closely together in the development of creative pitches and strategic execution of marketing and advertising campaigns for clients in Japan and overseas.
Tomodachi is the brainchild of former Creative Director for UNIQLO Tomohiro Kaji. The agency founder, he previously studied graphic design at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. In 2008, he joined UNIQLO as the first graphic designer and went on to build the entire global creative team for the clothing giant, including leading teams in both Tokyo and New York City. Tomohiro worked previously on UNIQLO’s global branding projects such as the design and launch of flagship stores in new markets, product packaging and branding including globally renown HEATTECH and Ultra-Light Down, in-store branding, social innovation and more.
Tomohiro’s achievements in the creative world include: Japan Package Design Award Gold Prize, Pen Award Gold Prize, AIGA Cause and Effect Honorable Mention, +ESD Design Award Judge’s Choice.
Chris Wieners, Managing Partner of HOGO, stated: “I am excited to announce our formal partnership with Tomodachi and Tomohiro Kaji. As a long-standing member of Japan’s creative community, Kaji-san has proven himself as a visionary in the development of Japanese brands overseas. His success with the overseas expansion of UNIQLO, among other projects, is something that HOGO aims to develop for clients both in Japan and overseas.”
Tomohiro Kaji, Founder of Tomodachi, stated: “We are happy to announce our partnership with HOGO. Their expertise in the fields of marketing and advertising both in Japan and overseas will allow us to offer a new, premium marketing suite of services to our clients as well as explore and develop new and exciting industries, such as integrated resorts, in the development of creative marketing solutions.”
The agency group plans to develop creative solutions for a variety of industries, including a focus on Japanese firms looking to expand their domestic brands to a more international audience.
