How Media & Marketing are Evolving in Japan, with John Flanagan

The latest Focus Core Salary Guide is here: 2025 Salary Guide

On the latest episode of the FocusCore podcast, host David Sweet discusses the current Media and Marketing landscape in Japan with John Flanagan, President and Managing Director of A+E Networks Japan and SE Asia. John has 30 plus years experience in the Media industry in Japan and has seen it evolve, including the rise of streaming services and the current advances in AI technologies. John also has extensive marketing experience and has some great advice for foreign business leaders looking to effectively market to Japanese audiences.

In this episode you will hear:

• About the unique marketing landscape in Japan
• The importance of understanding your target market
• How the media industry is currently evolving
• The importance of good storytelling when it comes to marketing
• Some of the challenges facing streaming services in Japan and globally

About John Flanagan:

John Flanagan is President and Managing Director of A+E Networks Japan and SE Asia.  Flanagan is a media professional with over 30 years' experience in Japan. His career highlights include launching J:COM and running marketing at 20th Century Fox and iTunes in Japan. Flanagan also teaches marketing part time at Japan’s largest MBA school, GLOBIS University.  He graduated from Colorado College, which included one year's study at Waseda University in Tokyo. Flanagan later attended INSEAD.



Connect with John Flanagan:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnflanaganasia

A+E Networks Website: https://jp.aenetworks.com/

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focuscorejp 

Facebook: :https://www.facebook.com/focuscoreasia

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focuscorejp/ 

Website: https://www.japan.focuscoregroup.com/

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Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

2025 Salary Guide