Shiseido Americas purchases JWALK to support company branding

Shiseido Americas Corporation (SAC) has purchased creative agency JWALK to bring advanced digital design power to support the company’s brands.

SAC is a consolidated subsidiary of Tokyo-based Shiseido Company. The company purchased JWALK in line with Shiseido’s Vision 2020 goal to accelerate the growth of its brands through effective digital strategies and consumer-oriented marketing.

Shiseido Group's chief executive officer (CEO) and president Masahiko Uotani said: "Creative excellence is at the core of consumer communication and is key to building the value of our prestige brands.

 “I am convinced that JWALK will add significant intangible value and capabilities to our marketing efforts, especially in leveraging their digital communication expertise. I also look forward to JWALK’s collaboration with our creative teams in Tokyo on key projects to deliver creative excellence on a global scale."

JWALK will work with Shiseido’s brand teams, playing a significant role in the entire creative process from strategy to execution and concept to delivery. The firm will also offer innovative ideas, digital savviness, and creative support to help strengthen each brand’s creative consistency across all consumer touchpoints.

Shiseido Americas' president and CEO Marc Rey said: “This acquisition immediately sets Shiseido apart from the traditional approach to beauty marketing and how companies like ours approach creative excellence.

“By infusing JWALK into our entire creative process, we will not only be able to achieve organic, 360-degree results, but we will also have greater speed and agility in both the assets we create and the way we work. I am excited to welcome JWALK into our team as we drive our brands to the next level of success.”

JWALK has been working with Shiseido in the last four years, especially on its bareMinerals and Buxom brands.

The firm was founded in 2010 by Doug Jacob, Michael Lastoria, and Charlie Walk. Doug Jacob will be chief creative director of Shiseido Americas. 

Jacob will report to Jill Scalamandre, president of Shiseido’s Global Makeup Center of Excellence.