Custom Media
Custom Media is a Tokyo-based full-service B2B marketing agency founded in 2008 that connects international brands with Japan and South Korea through bilingual integrated services spanning strategy, branding, PR, content, ABM, and martech, supplemented by publishing assets.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Custom Media does
Custom Media K.K. is a Tokyo-based full-service B2B marketing and strategic communications agency founded in March 2008 by Robert Heldt (CEO) and Simon Farrell (Publisher). The firm's core offering connects international brands with the Japanese market through an integrated services stack spanning strategy, branding, PR and communications, content and creative, digital experience, paid media and demand generation, account-based marketing (ABM/ABX), and marketing technology. It executes in both English and Japanese via an in-house multilingual team, applying a proprietary methodology called the AIM Framework (Adapt, Implement, Maximize). The agency is differentiated from typical B2B shops by its ownership of multiple publishing assets: it is the official publisher of the monthly flagship magazines for the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan (BCCJ ACUMEN), the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (The Journal), and the Tokyo American Club (INTOUCH); it also co-publishes Mansion Global Japan with Dow Jones and operates Business in Japan TV (BIJ.TV), described as Japan's only bilingual online video channel for business news.
The firm monetizes through project-based fees, multi-year retainers, and hourly consulting engagements targeting enterprise and mid-market B2B clients (e.g., Mori Building, Nordson, Etihad Airways, Greenpeace, Grant Thornton, Transmit Security, Sengan-en/Shimadzu Limited). Go-to-market combines consultative enterprise sales with partnership channels including the PROPLUS DATA ABM alliance (April 2024), Public Relations Network membership (September 2022), AMIN Worldwide (July 2019), and the Export to Japan Premium Partner designation (March 2017); event-driven demand generation is layered on through webinars and the Asia AIM Podcast. The agency has approximately 20 employees, registered capital of ¥23,000,000, and operates from the Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC) Tokyo workspace in Toranomon Hills Business Tower, with no disclosed outside funding and concentrated ownership among the founders and Director of Corporate and Business Development Masashi Kamimura.
Strategic expansion is underway: in June 2026 the AIM B2B sub-brand launched a South Korea office in Seoul's Gangnam district, the company's first geography outside Japan, and the agency has won consecutive Campaign Asia Agency of the Year recognitions (Bronze 2023; Silver plus Bronze 2024) plus prior honors including a 2013 BCCJ Company of the Year award and a 2022 Digital Impact Gold for the Shine On! Kids charity app.
Custom Media firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Custom Media
- Legal name
- Custom Media K.K. (カスタムメディア株式会社)
- Website
- https://custom-media.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Custom Media is a Tokyo-based full-service B2B marketing agency founded in 2008 that connects international brands with Japan and South Korea through bilingual integrated services spanning strategy, branding, PR, content, ABM, and martech, supplemented by publishing assets.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Custom Media industry classification
Industry- Product category
- B2B Marketing & Advertising Services
- NAICS
- Media Buying Agencies (541830), Motion Picture and Video Industries (5121), Media Representatives (541840)
- SIC
- Services-Advertising Agencies (7311), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- B2B/ABM Creative Agencies (MPAAAAAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Technology & B2B PR (BPAFADAI), Technology & B2B PR (MPAAADAC), Product & Brand PR (Consumer & B2B) (BPAFADAH)
Keywords
Where Custom Media is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokyo
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices2 records
Markets served
Custom Media business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- B2B Marketing Agency Services: Full-service agency providing integrated marketing solutions including strategy, branding, PR & communications, content & creative, digital experience, paid media, ABM, and marketing technology. Revenue generated through project-based fees, retainers, and hourly consulting arrangements.
- Publishing Services: Official publisher of monthly flagship magazines for BCCJ (BCCJ ACUMEN) and ACCJ (The Journal), and exclusive advertising agency for Tokyo American Club's INTOUCH magazine. Also produces Business in Japan TV (BIJ.TV), the country's only bilingual online video channel.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom professional services engagement |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Custom Media product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Custom Media is a full-service B2B marketing agency that connects international brands with the Japanese market, delivering integrated services spanning strategy, branding, PR & communications, content & creative, digital experience, paid media & demand generation, account-based marketing, and marketing technology. The agency operates in both English and Japanese, and additionally publishes chamber magazines (BCCJ ACUMEN, ACCJ Journal, INTOUCH), produces bilingual video (BIJ.TV), and runs sub-brands such as AIM B2B, Mansion Global Japan, and GoConnect.
Product overview
Custom Media is a full-service B2B marketing agency headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, established in 2008, offering integrated marketing solutions that connect global brands with the Japanese market. The core offering spans strategy, branding, PR & communications, content & creative, digital experience, paid media & demand generation, account-based marketing (ABM/ABX), and marketing technology. The agency operates several named product lines: AIM B2B (an integrated PR and marketing sub-brand with a South Korea office); Asia AIM Podcast (a thought leadership podcast series); GoConnect (a digital marketplace platform, originally Connect by CM launched March 2020); and Mansion Global Japan (a luxury property magazine in partnership with Dow Jones). Custom Media also publishes three flagship magazines — BCCJ ACUMEN for the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan, The Journal for the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan, and INTOUCH for Tokyo American Club — and produces Business in Japan TV (BIJ.TV), Japan's only bilingual online video channel. The agency complements its agency services with proprietary research (Content Marketing Report), ABM/ABX services powered by PROPLUS DATA partnership, and marketing technology including chatbot solutions and LINE social media channel management.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Full-Service B2B Marketing Agency Services
Quantifiable outcome
- ¥6.2 million raised for Shine On! Kids charity through EFN event app
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Custom Media
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Custom Media technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability9 records
Feature3 records
Custom Media partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- PROPLUS DATAcoreStrategic partnership between Custom Media and PROPLUS DATA to improve delivery of account-based marketing (ABM) and account-based experience (ABX) services. PROPLUS DATA provides ICP/TAM identification, contact/technographics/intent data, and Next Tech Purchase technology. Partnership enables Custom Media to offer precise data targeting for personalized ABM campaigns in Japan as industry moves toward first-party data.
- Public Relations Network (PRN)coreGlobal collective of owner-managed PR agencies providing local support for international PR campaigns. Network spans Austria, Bahrain, Brazil, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, UAE, UK, USA, Vietnam.
- AMIN WorldwidecoreGlobal alliance of 50+ independent marketing agencies providing international reach through localized expertise and strategic partnerships. Custom Media serves as the Japan representative in the network.
- Dow Jones & Company Inc.corePublisher partnership to launch Mansion Global Japan, a Japanese-language version of the luxury property and lifestyle quarterly magazine. Custom Media produces content while Dow Jones provides brand licensing and editorial standards.
- Export to Japan (E2J)coreFirst-ever Premium Partner for Export to Japan platform, a not-for-profit partnership between UK Government's Department for International Trade, British Chamber of Commerce in Japan (BCCJ), British Airways, and Business Link Japan. Custom Media supports UK firms through marketing content and social media promotion.
- Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC) TokyominorCo-working space partnership at Toranomon Hills Business Tower; provides hybrid work environment and networking opportunities with startups and entrepreneurs
- American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ)coreOfficial publisher of ACCJ Journal, the official monthly magazine of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan
- British Chamber of Commerce in Japan (BCCJ)coreOfficial publisher of BCCJ ACUMEN, the business, culture and lifestyle magazine for the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan since 2009
- Tokyo American Club (TAC)coreExclusive advertising agency for Tokyo American Club's membership magazine INTOUCH and associated digital platforms
- MoleskineminorOfficial agent offering customized Moleskine notebooks and related items to companies in Japan
- Public Relations of Japan (PRSJ)minorProfessional public relations association partnership supporting industry standards and professional development
- Ireland Japan Chamber of Commerce (IJCC)minorChamber partnership providing networking and business development support
- Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan (FCCJ)minorEvent venue partnership for report launches and industry discussions
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Custom Media competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- FleishmanHillard: Global integrated communications agency with deep APAC presence, including Japan. Directly competes with Custom Media on B2B PR, content marketing, and integrated communications for multinational technology and enterprise clients.
- Edelman: Global public relations and communications firm with a substantial Japan office serving enterprise and B2B clients. Direct comparable to Custom Media's PR & Communications offering, especially for multinational clients needing cross-border campaigns anchored in Japan.
- WE Communications: Global communications agency with strong APAC footprint and a technology/B2B focus. Direct peer to Custom Media for B2B PR, content, and integrated marketing engagements with multinational technology clients expanding across Asia.
- Allison+Partners: Global communications agency with operations across APAC including Tokyo. Comparable to Custom Media on B2B PR, technology marketing, and content-driven campaigns for global brands entering Asian markets.
- Hotwire: Global technology and B2B communications agency with offices across Asia. Closely comparable to Custom Media's positioning as a B2B PR and content agency serving technology, fintech, and innovation-sector clients.
- Archetype: Global B2B marketing and communications agency with strong technology focus and Asia presence. Directly comparable to Custom Media for integrated B2B campaigns, thought leadership, and PR for enterprise technology brands.
Broad incumbents
- Hakuhodo: Japan's second-largest advertising agency group, offering full-service creative, digital, and media services domestically and across APAC. Comparable to Custom Media as a Japan-based full-service marketing partner but at vastly larger scale, with deeper media-buying and martech capabilities.
- Dentsu: Japan's largest global advertising and marketing services group with extensive APAC and global operations. Overlaps with Custom Media on integrated B2B marketing, content, and digital experience, but operates at incumbent scale across all major service lines.
Regional players
- Sunny Side Up: Japan-based PR and integrated communications firm serving consumer and B2B clients domestically. Comparable as a Japan-rooted competitor to Custom Media's PR and content services, though more consumer-leaning.
Others
- Hubspot Agency Partner Agencies (e.g., Heidrick & Struggles / regional martech consultancies): HubSpot's Solutions Partner ecosystem includes marketing automation and martech consultancies operating in Japan. Adjacent to Custom Media's marketing technology and HubSpot partnership capabilities, often competing for the same mid-market B2B marketing technology implementations.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Custom Media social profiles
Digital presenceCustom Media financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Custom Media leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Custom Media funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Custom Media M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Custom Media
What does Custom Media do?
Custom Media is a full-service B2B marketing agency that connects international brands with the Japanese market, delivering integrated services spanning strategy, branding, PR & communications, content & creative, digital experience, paid media & demand generation, account-based marketing, and marketing technology. The agency operates in both English and Japanese, and additionally publishes chamber magazines (BCCJ ACUMEN, ACCJ Journal, INTOUCH), produces bilingual video (BIJ.TV), and runs sub-brands such as AIM B2B, Mansion Global Japan, and GoConnect.
Is Custom Media a public or private company?
Custom Media is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Custom Media founded?
Custom Media was founded in 2008. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Custom Media based?
Custom Media is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does Custom Media make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. B2B Marketing Agency Services are the primary driver. The others are publishing Services.
Who are Custom Media's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are FleishmanHillard, Edelman, WE Communications, Allison+Partners, Hotwire and Archetype. Broad incumbents are Hakuhodo and Dentsu. Sunny Side Up is listed as a regional player. Hubspot Agency Partner Agencies (e.g., Heidrick & Struggles / regional martech consultancies) is listed as an others.
Does Custom Media have an API?
No public API is recorded for Custom Media.
What industry is Custom Media in?
Custom Media's product category is B2B Marketing & Advertising Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAAAAAI, B2B/ABM Creative Agencies, with a secondary code of BPAFADAI, Technology & B2B PR. Its NAICS code is 541830 and its SIC code is 7311.