Sun-Ad Fifty Years of Creating "Advertising by Japanese, for Japanese, and of Japanese" Commemorative Exhibition Held

Advertising production company Sun-Ad (President: Miki Aoki) celebrated its 50th anniversary this year.

The company was founded in the spring of 1964, the year of the Tokyo Olympics, primarily by Keizo Saji, then president of Suntory, and Takao Yamazaki, head of Suntory's advertising department. Joining them were members of that department: Ken Kaiko, Ryohei Yanagihara, Susumu Sakane, Hitomi Yamaguchi, and Mutsuo Sakai. Yamazaki served as the first president.

 

In his "Founding Statement," Kaiko declared: "This company's defining characteristic is its thoroughgoing republicanism." "There is no one above others, no one below others; we disregard seniority, hierarchy, fame, academic cliques, drinking cliques—all such distinctions." "Our work is to create advertising by Japanese people, for Japanese people, and by Japanese people—work that truly entertains Japanese people and genuinely benefits their lives."

 

Starting as a subsidiary of Suntory, primarily handling whisky advertisements, it gradually expanded its scope to include copywriting, graphic design, and illustration for other companies, broadening its production capabilities to encompass advertising planning, conceptualization, and design. It is also renowned for having produced many prominent creators, including copywriters, art directors, and TV commercial directors, and boasts numerous awards from the Advertising Dentsu Inc. Awards, TCC, ACC, ADC, and other prestigious competitions.

 

To commemorate its 50th anniversary, the company will hold an exhibition of its advertising works at "Gallery 916" (www.gallery916.com/) in Minato Ward, Tokyo, from August 30 to September 6. The theme is "Orange!", representing the fresh, vibrant, and effervescent energy that has remained unchanged since its founding, transcending eras. Alongside TV commercials, posters, and newspaper ads, the exhibition will showcase a collection of works including web design, packaging design, and products.

Why not experience a glimpse of this company that has led Japanese advertising creativity?

Sun-Ad Corporate Site:
www.sun-ad.co.jp