Notice Regarding the Appointment of New Representative Director and President and Co-CEOs at Hakuhodo Kettle Inc.
Hakuhodo Kettle Inc. has announced the appointment of Genta Itoh and Naotaka Suekuni as new Co-CEOs, effective April 1, 2026. This leadership change aims to strengthen the company's role as a command center for communication as the industry evolves toward full-funnel and business-integrated solutions.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 1, 2026 at 09:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 01:00
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/
[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/