Dentsu Probes Strategic Reset Beyond Japan: A Close-Up

In the cramped world of global advertising, Dentsu’s international arm is wobbling and the group is contemplating sharp moves to steady the ship.

Dentsu explores bold strategic options for its international divisions amid weak performance eyeing agency sales or partnerships to reshape global operations.

Dentsu’s stronghold its Japan division still delivers. In H1 2025, it grew organically by 5.3%, accounting for about 42 % of group revenue. But the rest of the world tells a different tale: Asia‑Pacific dragged performance down at 8.9%, but tipping global growth into the red at 0.2% .

That structural gap has prompted CEO Hiroshi Igarashi to say the company is open to “comprehensive and strategic partnerships” abroad. He has stopped short of confirming outright sales but made clear that nothing is off the table .

What’s on the Table: Options Aplenty

Behind the scenes, external advisors are reviewing bold fixes: possible divestments of under‑performing agencies, capital injections, outsourcing of corporate functions, even partnerships. Still, decisions haven’t been made yet .

One plan under consideration: trimming roughly 8 % of inter…