Dentsu Evaluates Sale of International Division: Report

Japanese advertising firm Dentsu is evaluating the sale of its international business, seeking buyers for its advertising division in a deal that could raise several billion dollars. Dentsu has enlisted Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley and Nomura Securities to explore possible buyers, potentially ending its ambitions to compete globally against WPP and Publicis.

Japanese advertising giant Dentsu is reportedly considering the sale of its international advertising operations, a move that could potentially raise several billion dollars. According to reports, Dentsu has engaged Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley and Nomura Securities to explore potential buyers for its overseas business. This development comes amidst mixed performance across Dentsu’s global operations, with its home market of Japan delivering a healthy 5.3% organic growth in the first half of 2025, while international operations, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, recorded an 8.9% decline [1].

The company has already initiated significant restructuring measures, including an 8% reduction in its international workforce, primarily in back-office and headquarters functions. Dentsu’s new strategic vision, dubbed "dreaming big," focuses on strengthening its competitive position in Japan and the United States while reorienting its international operations with a sharper emphasis on media services [1].

Analysts suggest that the potential sale could mark a turning point for Dentsu, allowing it to concentrate resources on markets where it sees greater long-term potential. The move could also signal a shift away from Dentsu’s earlier acquisition-led expansion strategy, which struggled to deliver the desired scale and synergies overseas.

References:

[1] https://www.adgully.com/post/5749/dentsu-weighs-sale-of-international-advertising-business-hires-banks-to-explore-options