CEO Insights Magazine

Instilling innovation in the workplace will happen only with leaders who are curious and sensual with the ability to forecast and build visionary growth perspectives. Moreover, the leader should be capable of igniting innovation by driving an atmosphere that offers freedom to think and explore. With that said, many business leaders are now opening up innovation-driven work environments and promoting a safe, non-judgmental atmosphere, where new approaches are respected and failures are considered an opportunity to learn. Bumpei Yamagata is such a maven who promotes the growth of OZ with creative and out-of-the-box strategies.

CEO Insights Asia engages in an exclusive interview with Bumpei, the CEO of OZ, to learn valuable nuggets of his professional journey.

Could you give a brief account of your professional background and experiences?

My professional journey began as a Digital Professional in NYC; after graduating from Parsons School of Design. I started my career with a company, which was renowned as one of the most respected and innovative Digital Agency in the US at that point. Today it has gained global reputed by expanding not only in the country but also internationally including Tokyo.

The initial experience itself helped me learn to deal with various big projects successfully by collaborating with the best talents from all over the world. It trained me to subject the global perspective of view to my standard thinking and experiences in the US. Since I moved to Tokyo, Japan to explore more with my life after September 11 2001, I had a great opportunity to work at one of the biggest Advertising Agencies here, and also learn to subject the perspective of the view from Japanese points.

What is the motivation that fuels your daily routines?

I gain the most energy when I motivate people. I strongly believe that positive communication with my team and family members is the fuel to my daily routine. Moreover, it is always exciting to make things successful and share the accomplishment with them positively.

You possess over two decades of experience. How has been your journey so far and what is your success mantra?

I am honestly surprised to realize that it has already been over two decades in this industry. I feel fortunate to have great experiences and make our business successful; despite having a small team and keeping our footwork light to stay ready to move as per needs and demands.

Speaking of my success philosophy, I truly believe that it is extremely important to have Curiosity about everything around you and respect it all the time to change the world. This mantra really helps to march forward by doing something new.

How would you define OZ as an organization and its position in the market? What is the unique proposition that your organization offers to clients?

OZ is a creative solution agency; staying close to our clients and being a great partner in supporting to visualize and communicate together. We offer global communication solutions from three angles to support our clients in Communication Design, Service Design, and Digital Ad & SNS Marketing. We can provide each approach in multiple languages.

OZ also has a strong partner, Info Cubic Japan (a premiere digital marketing agency that has assisted over 500 companies to expand globally) to support our digital AD&SNS marketing projects for various clients.

Our uniqueness will be that we have both global and Japanese standard views of points. The points always help our clients to support communication from Japan to the world, or from any other countries to Japan.

Elaborate on the technology framework built within the company's solutions and which are the latest technology trends that the company is planning to adopt.

We are always interested in exploring new technology and the virtual environments provided by it. It seems that digital experience may shift from its in browser to more into Virtual Reality World including Metaverse and Web 3.0, and so on. I always appreciate the real world, but should not ignore how those Virtual Reality World will be involving as life platforms into our society and culture in the near future.

Tell us about your leadership approach, and the guidelines or methodologies you follow to lead your team.

As a leader, I love encouraging individuals to have both the responsibility and freedom to accomplish any project. By repeating the success experience, I believe the individual can grow with his or her strong confidence.

Bumpei Yamagata, CEO, OZ

A leader striving for a better world, Bumpei is a motivator and inspirational personality setting creative benchmarks in Digital Solutions.

Personal Facts:

• Hobbies: Running, Casual Training & Spending time with my son

• Favorite Cuisine: Steak & Fresh Veggies

• Favorite Book: Chinese Medicine Books

• Favorite Travel Destination: Hawaii, Okinawa, Amakusa, Kanazawa & Kyoto in Japan

• Awards & Recognition: Received International and Japanese Ad & Creative Awards several times