What D2 Communications does

D2 Communications (株式会社D2C) is a Tokyo-headquartered data marketing company founded in June 2000 as a joint venture between NTT Docomo, Dentsu, and NTT Ad — historically described as one of the world's first mobile advertising companies. It operates as the exclusive advertising sales agent for NTT Docomo's media and first-party data, leveraging the d Point Club's 100M+ subscriber base (as of March 2025) for precision targeting across Docomo-operated channels (d menu, messageS with ~27.8M users, mydaiz) and external platforms including Google, Meta, The Trade Desk, Amazon, and Yahoo!. The company became a wholly-owned subsidiary of TSE-listed CARTA HOLDINGS from January 2026, following an October 2025 absorption merger that consolidated D2C R (digital marketing) and D2C ID (marketing & creative / CX CRAFTS) into the parent entity, with D2C X retained as a dedicated inbound tourism marketing subsidiary.

The company's product portfolio spans four layers: (1) Core advertising infrastructure — docomo Ad Network, D2C Data Connect (cross-platform delivery with documented ~50% CPA reduction), messageS carrier email, d Magazine, and direct mail; (2) Data and identity technology — docomo Sense AI engine, docomo data square (data clean room), docomo connecting path (cookie-less IP-based ID solution), and Kyoso AI (fine-tuned GPT-3.5/GPT-4o mini for ad copy); (3) Vertical-specific AI solutions — Card Issuance Prediction (3x issuance volume, 30% cost reduction), Insurance Enrollment Prediction, Real Estate Purchase Prediction, High-Income Hospitality Targeting (500% ROAS), Cosmetics Premium Customer Analysis, and Health Food Prospect Targeting; (4) Creative technology — IMG SRC STUDIO for XR/AR (LIVE/AUG, FLIP-DOTS, KAXEL, XR Street Lens), experiential installations, and inbound tourism advertising via D2C X with Expedia and Agoda partnerships.

D2C generates revenue through five primary streams: CPM/CPC/CPA-priced advertising inventory on Docomo media, professional services for marketing agency engagements, creative production and CX design (CX CRAFTS), inbound tourism marketing (D2C X), and data-driven vertical advertising solutions sold primarily to enterprise B2B clients in insurance, financial services, cosmetics, hospitality, retail, real estate, and public sector verticals. Pricing models vary by product — CPM/CPC for Docomo Ad Network, performance-based outcomes for vertical solutions with multi-year contracts, and project-based for agency and creative work. The company maintains offices in Tokyo (Shiodome headquarters), Miyazaki, and Niigata, with ISMS (ISO 27001) and Privacy Mark (JIS Q 15001) certifications, and operates under new leadership with Okazaki Yuki (岡 勇基) as President and Representative Director effective January 1, 2026.

Name

D2 Communications

Legal name

株式会社D2C

Website

http://d2c.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

D2 Communications is a Tokyo-based data marketing company operating as the exclusive advertising sales agent for NTT Docomo's 100M+ user data platform, delivering precision targeting, vertical AI solutions, and creative/CX services to enterprise B2B advertisers across Japan, now a wholly-owned subsidiary of CARTA HOLDINGS.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital Marketing / Data-Driven Advertising

NAICS

Advertising Agencies (541810), Media Buying Agencies (54183), Media Representatives (541840)

SIC

Services-Advertising Agencies (7311), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Technology & B2B PR (BPAFADAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Data Management Platforms (DMP) & Customer Data Platforms (CDP) (BPAMALAD)

Keywords

• Data-driven advertising
• Mobile marketing services
• Carrier data targeting
• Marketing agency services
• Digital advertising platform

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. docomo Ad Network / Docomo Advertising: Core revenue stream from NTT Docomo's advertising network. D2C sells ad inventory across Docomo-operated media (d menu, messageS, mydaiz) and extends delivery to external platforms using Docomo data. Revenue is generated through CPM (cost per mille), CPC (cost per click), and CPA (cost per acquisition) pricing models across display, email, and performance advertising.
2. Marketing Agency Services: Strategic marketing consulting, media planning, data utilization, and creative services. Provides full-funnel marketing support from planning to execution across digital channels, targeting both B2B and B2C clients.
3. Marketing & Creative (CX CRAFTS): Customer experience design and creative production services through D2C ID, combining digital and physical experiences to solve client business challenges through integrated marketing, digital promotion, installation planning, and media production.
4. Inbound Tourism Marketing (D2C X): Multi-language content creation and inbound marketing services targeting international visitors to Japan. D2C X creates native-language articles, manages social media accounts, and provides advertising solutions targeting inbound tourists through partnerships with Expedia Group and Agoda.
5. Data-Driven Vertical Solutions: Industry-specific advertising solutions leveraging Docomo data and AI, including solutions for insurance (life event prediction), cosmetics (loyalty customer analysis), hospitality (high-income targeting), retail (trade area analysis), credit cards (card issuance prediction), and real estate (property purchase prediction).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

D2 Communications (D2C) is a Japanese data marketing company that leverages NTT Docomo's 100M+ subscriber base and behavioral data to deliver advertising solutions, marketing agency services, and creative/customer experience design. The company operates the docomo Ad Network and provides enterprise advertisers with data-driven targeting, ad operations, creative production, and marketing consultation across digital and mobile channels in Japan.

Product overview

D2C is a data marketing company that serves as the exclusive advertising sales agent for NTT Docomo's media and data. The company offers a comprehensive advertising ecosystem centered on docomo Ad Network, which utilizes approximately 100M+ Docomo member data for precision targeting. The product portfolio includes: (1) Core advertising solutions: docomo Ad Network, D2C Data Connect for multi-platform delivery, and messageS carrier email advertising; (2) Data analytics platforms: docomo data square and docomo connecting path for post-Cookie solutions; (3) Industry-specific solutions: Card Issuance Prediction, Insurance Enrollment Prediction, Real Estate Purchase Prediction, High-Income Targeting for hospitality, and Health Food Prospect Targeting; (4) AI-powered tools: キョウソウAI for advertising text generation using fine-tuned GPT models; (5) XR and experiential technology: LIVE/AUG, FLIP-DOTS, KAXEL, XR Street Lens, and social distancing solutions developed by IMG SRC STUDIO; (6) Specialized subsidiaries: D2C X for inbound tourism, D2C ID for CX/creative, and D2C R for marketing agency services. The company operates as D2C Group comprising multiple subsidiaries merged effective October 2025.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• D2C X: Inbound tourism marketing subsidiary handling overseas OTA partnerships (Expedia, Agoda) and international travel advertising for Japanese tourism sector.
• D2C R
• D2C ID
• CANVAS
• IMG SRC STUDIO
• ゼットモ (Ztomo)
• CX CRAFTS
• キョウソウAI

Products and services

• docomo Ad Network Mobile advertising network leveraging NTT Docomo's 100M+ user data for targeted ad delivery to advertisers and brands operating in Japan.
• D2C Data Connect Data-driven advertising solution connecting advertisers with NTT Docomo subscriber behavioral insights for audience targeting and campaign optimization.
• D2C R Sales representative/agency service that handles direct advertising sales operations on behalf of media owners and publishers.
• docomo data square Privacy-safe data collaboration platform enabling advertisers to combine their first-party data with NTT Docomo behavioral data for advanced targeting while protecting consumer privacy.
• messageS Mobile messaging marketing service providing SMS and rich communication solutions for direct customer engagement and marketing campaigns.
• Creative Production and Customer Experience Design Creative production and customer experience design services including advertising creative, website design, and CRM strategy for enterprise brands and advertisers.

Quantifiable outcome

• D2C Data Connect reduced customer acquisition cost (CPA) by approximately 50% compared to platform-only targeting by reaching untapped potential customer segments through Docomo data.
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration20 records

AI capability18 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• BeRealminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 March 2025BeReal partnered with D2C R for a joint webinar on Z-generation marketing, exploring BeReal advertising opportunities in Japan where the app has over 3.2 million daily active users primarily among Gen Z. D2C R's Z-generation research project 'Zettomo' collaborated with BeReal to analyze the platform's marketing potential.
• Expedia GroupminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 January 2025D2C X strengthened its advertising partnership with Expedia Group, one of the world's largest travel platforms, to provide Japanese tourism businesses with optimal advertising targeting inbound travelers from North America. This partnership enhances D2C X's inbound tourism marketing services for Japanese tourism operators.
• CARTA HOLDINGScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 January 2025CARTA HOLDINGS became D2C's parent company from January 2026, following D2C becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary. This new ownership structure under CARTA HOLDINGS aims to strengthen coordination between both companies and accelerate business growth under new management. D2C and D2C R also merged with D2C ID on October 1, 2025 as part of group restructuring under CARTA HOLDINGS.
• AgodaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 January 2025D2C X strengthened its advertising partnership with Agoda, a global online travel agency, to provide Japanese tourism businesses with advertising targeting inbound travelers from Asian markets. This partnership enables D2C X to offer comprehensive inbound tourism marketing solutions across global OTA platforms.
• SMN CorporationcoreTechnology or Integration · 18 July 2023SMN Corporation provides advertising delivery technology that enables docomo Ad Network +L to extend advertising delivery beyond Docomo-operated media to premium general media sites. This integration was key to achieving approximately 52% budget expansion rate improvement and enables cross-media targeting using Docomo data.
• GooglecoreTechnology or Integration · 18 July 2023Google serves as a major advertising platform destination for D2C Data Connect, enabling delivery of Docomo data-targeted advertising through Google's advertising ecosystem including Performance Max. The next-generation AI-driven advertising solution developed by Dentsu, Dentsu Digital, and D2C achieved measurable CPA efficiency improvements particularly through Google Performance Max integration. Approximately 20 companies have adopted this solution.
• NTT DocomocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2000NTT Docomo is the core data partner and primary shareholder/founding partner of D2C. D2C was established as a joint venture among NTT Docomo, Dentsu, and NTT Ad in June 2000. D2C receives third-party provided user data (advertising identifiers, attribute information, location data, behavioral history) from NTT Docomo's 100M+ d Point Club members to power its advertising solutions including docomo Ad Network and D2C Data Connect. This is a foundational, exclusive partnership that underlies all of D2C's core business.
• DentsucoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2000Dentsu is one of D2C's founding partners (alongside NTT Docomo and NTT Ad) and remains a key strategic partner. Dentsu, Dentsu Digital, and D2C jointly launched a next-generation AI-driven advertising delivery solution in partnership with NTT Docomo, combining Docomo data through the docomo data square data clean room as AI learning signals for advertising optimization. Dentsu provides media planning and advertising expertise that complements D2C's data capabilities.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Dentsu: Japan's largest advertising agency group and a founding partner of D2C. Dentsu competes broadly in advertising services while also partnering with D2C (via Dentsu Digital) on next-generation AI-driven ad delivery, making it both a competitor and a partner with deeply overlapping client sets.
• Hakuhodo: Second-largest Japanese advertising agency and core competitor in full-service digital advertising and data-driven marketing. Comparable to D2C in serving large Japanese advertisers with integrated campaigns, but at much greater scale and without exclusive carrier-data access.
• CARTA HOLDINGS: Parent company of D2C since January 2026 and a publicly listed Japanese digital advertising holding company. CARTA HOLDINGS owns Digital Garage-adjacent ad-tech and digital media assets and is the broader group that D2C now operates within, with overlapping advertiser clients and digital ad inventory.
• D.A. Consortium: Japanese digital advertising holding company under Dentsu, providing digital ad agency and ad-tech services. Comparable to D2C as a major Japanese digital ad platform with enterprise advertiser relationships and data capabilities, though with broader portfolio scope.

Direct peers

• Septeni Holdings: Japanese digital advertising holding company with digital ad agency and ad-tech operations. Direct comparable to D2C in providing data-driven digital advertising to Japanese enterprise advertisers across multiple verticals.
• MicroAd: Japanese ad-tech company operating DSP and data marketing services. Comparable to D2C as a Japan-focused ad-tech platform serving enterprise advertisers with data-driven targeting and audience activation, including retargeting and first-party data activation.
• FreakOut Holdings: Japanese DSP and digital advertising company providing programmatic buying and data-driven ad delivery. Comparable to D2C in operating data-powered ad platforms and serving Japanese advertisers across display, video, and connected TV.
• Geniee: Japanese ad-tech company offering DSP, SSP, and digital marketing solutions. Direct comparable to D2C in providing programmatic ad infrastructure and data-driven targeting to Japanese advertisers and agencies.
• SMN Corporation: Japanese digital advertising technology provider, a direct technology/integration partner of D2C for docomo Ad Network +L. Comparable in providing programmatic ad delivery and targeting solutions to Japanese enterprise advertisers.

Emerging players

• ValueCommerce: Japanese affiliate marketing and ad-tech company. Comparable to D2C in operating performance-based digital advertising solutions for Japanese advertisers, though with a narrower focus on affiliate/partner channels rather than carrier-data-driven targeting.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/D2CInc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/d2c

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A3 records

Investments2 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about D2 Communications