Dentsu launches global expansion of Dentsu Lab, starting with labs in London, Amsterdam, Warsaw, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. Additional international Labs are planned for 2025. Sven Huberts is appointed President for Global Innovation & Experience and Dentsu Lab. Huberts will work alongsides Naoki Tanaka, now Chief Creative Officer for Dentsu Lab Tokyo.
Building on the success of Dentsu Lab Tokyo, established in 2014 by Yasuharu Sasaki, dentsu’s Global Chief Creative Officer, this global initiative continues to push the boundaries of human experience. The Lab, known for groundbreaking projects like ‘All Players Welcome’ for inclusivity, improving international event ceremonies, and enhancing sports experiences through algorithms and data visualization, remains at the forefront of innovation within the network.
The new international network will collaborate on human-centered innovation to impact business and society. Each Lab will have local leadership and a team offering various services such as creative R&D in Events, Sports, Gaming, Retail, AI, and more. The Labs will connect with dentsu offices for a comprehensive innovation network.
The launch of Dentsu Lab occurred during the 2024 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity presentation by dentsu’s President & Global CEO, Hiroshi Igarashi, and Global Chief Creative Officer, Yasuharu Sasaki. They showcased the Lab’s innovative work and discussed the core principles guiding their team over the past decade. This initiative underpins dentsu’s commitment to shaping the industry’s future and showcasing how global expansion can positively influence individuals, businesses, and societies worldwide through the power of Creativity and Innovation.
Sven Huberts, President Global Innovation & Experience and President, Dentsu Lab, said, “We are at an inflexion point of human creativity and technical sophistication where the opportunity for genuine innovation has never been so compelling. I couldn’t be more excited to be partnering with Naoki and our Lab leaders, to empower our growing global team of creators, partners and institutions with the most powerful technology and tools in the world to create experiences that truly touch hearts, impact business and, most importantly, move society forward.”
Naoki Tanaka, Chief Creative Officer, Dentsu Lab, said, “Since launching ten years ago, Dentsu Lab Tokyo has revolutionized the intersection of technology and creativity, solving societal challenges and creating visionary expressions that touch hearts and minds. Our talented international team of dreamers and innovators, equipped with cutting-edge technology, are poised to take this impact worldwide, to accelerate our clients’ growth while making a profound impact on society. We take outlier’s perspective to open up new possibility and find new answers through play. The future isn’t just on the horizon, with Dentsu Lab’s global vision, it is here and now, ready to transform the world.”
Jean Lin, Global President, Global Practices, dentsu, said, “The launch of Dentsu Lab continues a proud 120-year tradition of innovation sitting at the core of dentsu’s offering. We know from Dentsu Lab Tokyo how powerful the outcome for society and business can be when you bring the best creative technologists together to imagine and invent. To be making this possible on a global stage is an exciting moment for dentsu, clients and society.”
