Hiroko Ichinose, CM Planner and Takumi “Anhelo” Sekiya, Activation Planner at TBWA\HAKUHODO, have been selected as medalists for the 2021 “JAAA CREATOR OF THE YEAR” Award by the JAAA (Japan Advertising Agencies Association).
Since1989, JAAA has awarded “CREATOR OF THE YEAR” to honor creators of the highest caliber among its member agencies. Starting with Kazoo Sato in 2011, the talents of TBWA\HAKUHODO have received this accolade for 11 years running.

Hiroko Ichinose / Disruption Lab・CM Planner
She joined Hakuhodo in 2007 as a copywriter and commercial planner. She left the company in 2017 and to go to Russia. After returning to Japan In 2018 she enrolled in Graduate School of Film and New Media, Tokyo University of the Arts to study Screenwriting. She joined TBWA\HAKUHODO after her graduation in 2020. She is applying the storytelling skills she developed in screenwriting study to the field of advertising.

Takumi “Anhelo” Sekiya / Disruption Lab・Activation Planner
Born in Tochigi Prefecture in 1989. Majored in Architecture at Tohoku University Graduate School. He joined Hakuhodo in 2014 and transferred to TBWA\HAKUHODO in 2017. 1st Twitter then 2nd campaign – his approach in planning has been always “social as a starting point” and committed to creating buzz and increasing sales. He has won a number of awards including World No.1 at 2019 Cannes Lions/Young Cannes and Asia No.1 at 2017 Spikes Asia/Young Spikes, NY ADC, ONE SHOW, or LIA. Selected as one of 54 U35 creators by Japan’s one of the biggest creative industry magazines Brain in 2020. He is a member of the Japan Impact Council of the United Nations World Food Programme.

The list of award winners: Click Here