Media First
Media First is a Tokyo-based, fully remote digital marketing agency serving Japanese SMBs. As a Google Partner certified firm, it provides internet advertising management, landing page production, its proprietary Diagnostic LP® system, and L-Step automation outsourcing.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Media First does
Media First (株式会社メディアファースト) is a Tokyo-based, fully remote digital marketing company founded in February 2014 by Tomohiko Yamada, who serves as Representative Director (CEO). The firm is registered as a private corporation (kabushiki kaisha) in Nihonbashi-Kabutocho, Chuo-ku, with a registered capital of 1,000,000 JPY and no external funding disclosed. The company self-describes as a marketing company that "discarded the office," having transitioned all staff to remote work in 2018 — a model subsequently validated by multiple government certifications including the Telework Tokyo Rule (2022) and the JTA PracticeGallery mark (2024).
The company operates a four-line service portfolio anchored by advertising agency work: (1) Google Partner certified internet advertising management across Google, Yahoo, display, retargeting, SNS, and video ad inventory; (2) custom landing page production; (3) L-Step (LINE-based marketing automation) operational outsourcing; and (4) the proprietary Diagnostic LP® (診断LP®) methodology — a registered trademark and diagnostic-quiz-driven landing page architecture that the firm reports delivers a 2.3x registration rate improvement and 3x business inquiry rate improvement versus standard approaches. The technology stack is built around Google's advertising platform and third-party LINE automation rather than proprietary infrastructure, with the Diagnostic LP® methodology constituting the firm's primary intellectual property.
Media First's business model is services-based, charging individualized hourly/performance-linked contracts (minimum 15 hours per week) directly to SMB clients, primarily Japanese SMBs (中小企業). Go-to-market is sales-led but digitally executed — clients are acquired through the firm's own website (media1st.net), SEO, content marketing (130+ blog/story articles), Twitter, Feedly, and Wantedly, with no physical sales presence. Following 2024-2025 METI certifications as an IT Introduction Support Provider and Smart SME Supporter, the firm has extended its service envelope into government-subsidized IT/DX consulting for SMEs. The firm is solely held by its founder and operates without a parent company, subsidiaries, or known external investors.
Media First firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Media First
- Legal name
- 株式会社メディアファースト
- Website
- https://media1st.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Media First is a Tokyo-based, fully remote digital marketing agency serving Japanese SMBs. As a Google Partner certified firm, it provides internet advertising management, landing page production, its proprietary Diagnostic LP® system, and L-Step automation outsourcing.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Media First industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Digital Marketing Services
- NAICS
- Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services (5418), Media Buying Agencies (54183), Media Buying Agencies (541830)
- SIC
- Services-Advertising Agencies (7311), Services-Advertising (7310)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Media Planning, Buying & Optimization (BPAFAAAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Digital & Programmatic Media Buying (Display, Video, CTV, Audio) (BPAFABAB)
Keywords
Where Media First is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokyo
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
Media First business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Advertising Agency Services: Management and operation of internet advertising campaigns (Google ads, Yahoo ads, display ads, retargeting, SNS ads, video ads, etc.) as a Google Partner certified agency. Clients are中小企业 businesses seeking online customer acquisition.
- Landing Page Production: Creation of high-conversion landing pages tailored to client requirements, using the proprietary 診断LP® methodology.
- L-Step Management (Lステップ運用代行): Operational management and outsourcing of L-Step (LINE-based marketing automation tool).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Usage-based | Monthly | Hourly wage contract with result-linked salary increases |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Media First product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Media First is a fully remote digital marketing agency that provides three core services: (1) Google Partner certified internet advertising management across search, display, retargeting, SNS, and video channels; (2) custom high-conversion landing page production using the proprietary 診断LP® (Diagnostic LP) methodology; and (3) outsourced management of L-Step, a LINE-based marketing automation tool. The company targets Japanese small and medium businesses seeking online customer acquisition.
Product overview
Media First is a remote-first digital marketing company offering a unified suite of advertising and marketing services. Its core portfolio consists of four interconnected offerings: (1) Advertising Agency Services — Google Partner certified internet advertising management across search, display, and social platforms; (2) Landing Page Production — custom high-conversion landing page creation; (3) Diagnostic LP® — a proprietary diagnostic landing page system that qualifies leads through interactive assessments; and (4) L-Step Operations — outsourced management of the LINE-based L-Step marketing automation tool. The company operates remotely and serves clients across Japan, combining performance marketing with conversion optimization.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- 診断LP®: 登録率2.3倍、商談申込率3倍を実現するランディングページ制作サービス。
Products and services
- Advertising Agency Services (広告代理事業) Google Partner certified internet advertising management covering Google ads, Yahoo ads, display ads, retargeting, SNS ads, video ads, and affiliate campaigns for SMB clients seeking online customer acquisition.
- Landing Page Production (ランディングページ制作事業) Custom landing page design and production services tailored to client requirements to maximize conversion rates and lead capture performance.
- L-Step Operations Management (Lステップ運用代行)
Quantifiable outcome
- Registration rate improved 2.3x using 診断LP® methodology
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Media First
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Media First technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Media First partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Google (Google Partner)coreMedia First is a Google Partner certified regular agency, authorized to manage Google advertising campaigns on behalf of clients. Google Partner status requires meeting performance benchmarks and certification requirements.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Media First competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- CyberAgent, Inc. Major Japanese internet media and advertising company operating multiple ad platforms and agencies (including ABEMA); competes broadly with Media First in digital advertising services.
- Dentsu Group Inc. Global incumbent advertising and media services group with substantial internet advertising operations; competes with Media First in the broader digital ad market but serves enterprise-tier clients.
- Digital Garage, Inc. Japanese internet conglomerate providing digital marketing, advertising, and marketing automation services; overlaps with Media First's digital advertising and marketing tool integration offerings.
- HAKUHODO Inc. One of Japan's largest advertising agencies offering full-service campaign management, media planning, and digital ad buying; overlaps with Media First's services but at significantly larger scale and enterprise focus.
Emerging players
- Unbounce Marketing Solutions Inc. Landing page and conversion intelligence platform enabling high-conversion landing page creation; addresses the same high-conversion LP need that Media First's 診断LP® targets.
Direct peers
- Septeni Holdings Co., Ltd. Japanese digital advertising agency offering internet ad operations and creative services for SMB and mid-market clients, directly comparable to Media First's core Google/Yahoo ads management offering.
- GMO Ad Marketing Inc. Japanese digital ad agency and platform within the GMO group providing ad operations and SEO services to SMBs and enterprises; directly overlapping with Media First's advertising agency offering.
- FreakOut Holdings, Inc. Japanese digital advertising technology company specializing in programmatic media buying and performance ads; closely aligned with Media First's internet advertising management focus.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Media First social profiles
Digital presenceMedia First compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Media First financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Media First leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Media First funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Media First 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 Media First
What does Media First do?
Media First is a fully remote digital marketing agency that provides three core services: (1) Google Partner certified internet advertising management across search, display, retargeting, SNS, and video channels; (2) custom high-conversion landing page production using the proprietary 診断LP® (Diagnostic LP) methodology; and (3) outsourced management of L-Step, a LINE-based marketing automation tool. The company targets Japanese small and medium businesses seeking online customer acquisition.
Is Media First a public or private company?
Media First is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Media First founded?
Media First was founded in 2014. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Media First based?
Media First is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does Media First make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Advertising Agency Services are the primary driver. The others are landing Page Production and L-Step Management (Lステップ運用代行).
Who are Media First's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are CyberAgent, Inc., Dentsu Group Inc., Digital Garage, Inc. and HAKUHODO Inc.. Unbounce Marketing Solutions Inc. is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Septeni Holdings Co., Ltd., GMO Ad Marketing Inc. and FreakOut Holdings, Inc..
Does Media First have an API?
No public API is recorded for Media First.
What industry is Media First in?
Media First's product category is Digital Marketing Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAFAAAC, Media Planning, Buying & Optimization, with a secondary code of BPAFABAB, Digital & Programmatic Media Buying (Display, Video, CTV, Audio). Its NAICS code is 5418 and its SIC code is 7311.