Position Summary
As the Creative Director, you will lead the creative heart of 33 USA. Your mission is to translate iconic Japanese IP into resonant brand experiences for North American audiences. You will architect an integrated creative vision that spans advertising, live events, social media, and PR. Serving as a senior-level partner for our clients (Japanese IP holders and US entertainment giants), you will lead everything from high-stakes concept pitching to long-term account growth and creative execution.
Requirements
1. Creative Vision & Conceptual Strategy
Architect the Creative North Star: Set the overarching creative direction for integrated campaigns, brand identities, and product experiences.
Integrated Storytelling: Develop cohesive content strategies that live seamlessly across online and offline touchpoints (Social, PR, Digital Ads, and Experiential).
Cross-Cultural Translation: Localize and adapt the "Tone & Manner" of Japanese IP to align with North American fandom culture without losing the original soul of the work.
Experience Design: Translate complex IP concepts into compelling, tangible brand moments for both digital and physical environments.
2. Project Team Leadership
Multidisciplinary Mentorship: Lead and inspire a diverse team of Art Directors, Copywriters, Designers, Motion Designers, and Video Creators.
Team Orchestration: Assemble and direct bespoke creative pods for specific projects, ensuring the right talent is matched to the right challenge.
Partner Management: Scout and manage external creative partners, freelance talent, and production studios to scale capabilities.
3. Client & Business Development
Strategic Pitching: Lead the creative component of new business pitches, presenting bold strategies and concepts that win high-value accounts.
Senior Stakeholder Management: Act as the primary creative point of contact for C-suite and senior marketing clients.
Internal Collaboration: Partner closely with internal divisions (BizDev, PR, Social, Events) across our Tokyo and LA branches to deliver holistic, 360-degree proposals.
Account Growth: Identify opportunities to expand existing accounts through creative innovation and trust-based relationship building.
4. Quality & Brand Stewardship
Brand Guardian: Ensure total brand consistency across all outputs, maintaining the highest standards of aesthetic and strategic integrity.
Review & Approval: Oversee the review process and provide final sign-off on all creative deliverables.
IP Compliance: Navigate complex IP licensing requirements and production committee approval processes to ensure marketing goals meet licensor standards.
5. Creative Operations
Resource Management: Oversee project budgets, schedules, and resource allocation in collaboration with Producers.
Operational Excellence: Manage multiple high-priority projects simultaneously, ensuring on-time delivery and budget adherence.
Education and Experience Requirements:
Required
- Experience: 5+ years of experience as a Creative Director, preferably within a fast-paced agency environment (Advertising, Marketing, or Creative).
- Portfolio: A diverse online portfolio demonstrating mastery in integrated campaigns and brand storytelling (URL must be provided).
- Presentation Skills: Proven track record of presenting to and influencing senior-level clients and stakeholders.
- Market Knowledge: Deep understanding of the North American advertising and entertainment landscape.
Preferred
- Subject Matter Expertise: Direct experience in the entertainment industry (Anime, Gaming, or Pop Culture).
- Experiential Design: Experience designing physical event booths or immersive brand activations.
- Bilingualism: Business-level proficiency in both Japanese and English is a significant plus.
- Licensing Knowledge: Familiarity with Japanese IP licensing workflows and production committee structures.
Cultural Fluency: A deep passion for and understanding of North American fandoms and social media trends.
Skills & Attributes
- Cultural Sensitivity: The ability to respect the original "world-view" of Japanese IP while making it accessible to a Western audience.
- Multi-disciplinary Eye: A keen aesthetic sense for visual design, copy, and user experience.
- Leadership: Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to unify internal teams and external vendors.
- Agility: The flexibility to accept constructive feedback and pivot strategies in a dynamic, high-growth environment.
Tools
- Adobe Creative Suite: (Expert level) Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere, After Effects.
- Productivity: Google Workspace.
- Project Management: Notion or similar collaborative platforms.
Benefits
A number of programs cover all employees in the manner prescribed by law. Additionally, 33 USA Inc. provides several Company-designated benefit programs.