Tokyo – Starting September 2, 2013, Yuji Watanabe will join BBC World News Japan as Managing Director, heading up the BBC’s new business in Japan. His priorities as Managing Director will be exploring new business opportunities for the channel, expanding existing platforms and building the profile of BBC World News with Japanese audiences.

BBC World News has been available to Japanese audiences since 1994 and Japan continues to be a key market for the channel’s international business strategy. 

Watanabe began his career in 1982, initially in advertising, working at several international agencies including McCann Erickson, ADK, and Ketchum Advertising. 

After 22 years of marketing experience in advertising industry, he joined FOX International Channels (FIC) as Marketing Director in 2004.  During his time with FOX he worked to raise the profile of the National Geographic Channel in Japan, and led FOX channel to rank as one of the top entertainment channels in the market. He also launched FOX Life HD and FOXCRIME, and helped develop FIC’s businesses by launching innovative video streaming sites for mobile phones.

After leaving FIC in 2008 Watanabe started up his own company, MONK Corporation, where he focused on digital marketing consulting. He also served as a board member of Digital Plus Inc., a pioneer of digital marketing business in Japan.

Colin Lawrence, Distribution Director, BBC Global News Ltd said: “I’m delighted to welcome Yuji Watanabe as MD to BBC World News Japan. His experience of working with international media brands in the Japanese market along with a thorough understanding of the momentous changes happening within the media industry as a whole will enable him to add real value to our already successful Tokyo-based business.”

Yuji Watanabe adds: “The BBC is the most trusted international news broadcaster in the world and I’m really looking forward to broadening and growing the business across Japan.”