President Ishii's Message to Employees at Dentsu Inc. 113th Anniversary Ceremony Hold firm resolve and challenge yourself to evolve.

Dentsu Inc.'s 113th Anniversary Commemoration Ceremony was held at Dentsu Hall on the first floor of the Shiodome Headquarters Building starting at 10:00 AM on July 1st. President Ishii addressed Dentsu Group employees, outlining his vision. The key points are as follows.

The history of the Dentsu Group traces back to 1901, when Seiro Mitsunaga, the first president, founded Nippon Advertising Co., Ltd. At that time, it was a venture company with a mere two-mat frontage, started by a visionary entrepreneur. I believe President Mitsunaga himself could never have imagined that this venture would later develop into a corporate group with bases in 124 countries and regions and a total workforce of approximately 40,000 people.

Dentsu Inc., at the core of the group, has also grown into a company with over 7,000 employees, protected by the solid business foundation established by our predecessors. However, we are now once again required to pursue relentless transformation and evolution.

I believe what is needed now is the very spirit President Mitsunaga possessed 113 years ago: the entrepreneurial spirit to launch a venture. Today, our clients are tackling various transformations, including globalization. For the Dentsu Group to continue growing alongside our clients as their partner, we must evolve beyond merely committing to their demands. We must become partners committed to their growth, continuously creating value that exceeds their expectations.

Entrepreneurs must accurately grasp immediate changes while also possessing the foresight to anticipate future shifts. Above all, it is crucial to approach work with unwavering resolve and a strong will – never shirking from what must be done, no matter how arduous or difficult the task. Entrepreneurial spirit is something every individual must demonstrate in their work, regardless of departmental boundaries. If each person continues to confront the difficult tasks before them head-on, the Dentsu Group will undoubtedly achieve further leaps and evolution.

The "Ten Commandments of the Demon," the legacy of our fourth president, Hideo Yoshida, includes the passage: "Seek out difficult tasks, for progress lies in accomplishing them." On this anniversary of Dentsu Inc.'s founding, I wish to reaffirm this resolve with all of you.

Rather than merely chasing the changes of the times, I want to work with all of you to create changes that lead the times themselves. Together, I want to build upon our own transformation and challenges.

Dentsu Inc. News Release

http://www.dentsu.co.jp/news/release/2014/0701-003756.html