ArdorComm Media News Network
February 17, 2026
Japanese advertising major Dentsu Group has named Takeshi Sano as its next Global Chief Executive Officer, ushering in a major leadership transition as the company confronts significant financial headwinds. Sano will replace long-serving chief Hiroshi Igarashi, whose departure concludes a career spanning nearly four decades with the group.
The change will become effective after the company’s 177th Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders on March 27, 2026. From that date, Sano will assume the roles of Executive Officer, President and Global Chief Executive Officer.
Igarashi, who joined the company in 1984, exits at a time when dentsu is seeking to strengthen its competitive edge and accelerate structural reforms. The leadership shake-up is part of a broader effort to streamline operations and reposition the organisation for long-term global growth.
The management reshuffle also includes several senior-level appointments. Yoshimasa Watahiki will take on the roles of Executive Officer, Executive Vice President and Global Chief Corporate Affairs Officer of dentsu, alongside serving as Chief Operating Officer of dentsu Japan. Arinobu Soga will step down from his position as Executive Officer, Executive Vice President and Global Chief Governance Officer.
Shigeki Endo, currently dentsu’s Global Chief Financial Officer, will be appointed Director, Executive Officer and Global Chief Financial Officer effective March 27. Endo joined the company as Global CFO Designate in July 2024 and formally assumed the CFO role in February 2025. His previous experience includes senior finance positions at ITOCHU, GE, BAT and Accenture Japan.
The leadership overhaul follows a challenging financial year. For the year ended December 2025, dentsu posted a record consolidated net loss of 327.6 billion yen, primarily driven by a 310.1 billion yen impairment charge related to weak overseas operations.
The net loss widened from 192.1 billion yen in the previous year, while operating losses increased to 289.2 billion yen from 124.9 billion yen. Sales, however, rose 1.7 per cent to 1,435.2 billion yen. In response to the results, the company announced it would not declare an annual dividend.
Born in March 1970, Sano joined Dentsu Inc. in April 1992 and has held several senior leadership roles. He previously served as Managing Director of the Business Transformation Division in 2021 and became Chief Executive Officer of Business Transformation in 2023. Since January 2024, he has been Chief Executive Officer of dentsu Japan and Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of Dentsu Inc.
Sano’s elevation places a transformation-focused executive at the helm during a critical period for the global advertising and marketing industry, which continues to face pressure from digital disruption, cost restructuring and underperforming international businesses. Investors and stakeholders will be closely watching whether the new leadership team can stabilise overseas operations and restore profitability.
Source: peoplematters