By Allison Watkinson
TLL Reporter
WildBrain CPLG is continuing its expansion across Asia-Pacific (APAC) with the opening of its first-ever office in Japan, to be headed by Koichi Yamamoto.
The seasoned licensing executive has joined WildBrain CPLG as Commercial Director, Japan, for the new office in Tokyo, marking a major milestone in the agency’s growth strategy in the region.
“WildBrain CPLG has an outstanding portfolio of globally recognised brands and a strong track record of building meaningful partnerships,” Yamamoto said. “I’m pleased to join the team at such a pivotal moment and to lead the business in Japan. By combining local market insight with WildBrain CPLG’s global capabilities, we have a unique opportunity to drive impactful collaborations across multiple categories and deliver long-term value for partners.”
Yamamoto brings decades of market expertise and a proven track record across retail, entertainment and FMCG. He joins WildBrain after holding a senior position at Paramount Global Japan K.K., where he served as Head of Consumer Products for more than four years.
Yamamoto also worked previously with Hasbro, Mattel and United Media.
The Tokyo office will serve as a key hub for WildBrain CPLG’s growth in Japan—one of the world’s most dynamic and competitive licensing markets—with a focus on driving long-term partner value.
The expansion builds on WildBrain CPLG’s growing momentum in APAC, reflecting increasing traction for WildBrain’s owned franchises, Teletubbies, and Strawberry Shortcake, as well as new growth opportunities for partners such as Supercell, the Van Gogh Museum, Miraculous Corp, and Dr. Seuss Enterprises.
WildBrain CPLG will continue to work closely with its longstanding sub-agent in the market for Teletubbies, Tohoku Shinsha Co., Ltd. (TFC), to further grow and support the franchise’s licensing programme across Japan.
Yamamoto’s task will be to lead operations in Japan, shaping and executing long-term commercial strategy, driving licensing and retail partnerships, building a sustainable, locally grounded business, and managing a team of licensing specialists to unlock growth across WildBrain CPLG’s global portfolio.
Yamamoto reports to Soojin Ahn, Regional Director, South Korea and Japan, who is spearheading the agency’s rapid expansion across these priority APAC territories, under the leadership of Marie Kopp, VP APAC.
“Japan represents a highly strategic market for WildBrain CPLG, with significant opportunities to grow our brand portfolio and deepen partnerships, said Wildbrain CPLG Chief Commercial Officer and Managing Director, Martin Weck. “Opening a dedicated office in Tokyo marks an important step in our Asia-Pacific expansion, enabling us to build a strong, locally rooted presence and deliver tailored, market-specific strategies for our partners.
“With Koichi and Soojin’s leadership and expertise, we are well positioned to unlock new opportunities and accelerate growth across the region.”
Kopp described the appointment and the opening of the office as a critical moment in Wildbrain CPLG’s growth plan.
“Japan is one of the world’s most influential and unique licensing markets, offering exceptional opportunities for brand and retail partnerships,” Kopp said. “We are committed to building a strong local presence that combines deep market expertise with the strength of our global network.
“I’m delighted to welcome Koichi to the team and look forward to working closely with him and Soojin to build our presence in Japan, strengthen local partnerships and drive the next phase of growth in this exciting market.”