What D2C dot does

D2C Inc. (株式会社D2C), historically operating as 'D2C dot' until a 2025 absorption merger, is a Tokyo-headquartered integrated CX (Customer Experience) marketing and creative agency serving Japanese and global enterprise clients. Originally established in June 2000, the company has undergone multiple restructurings (renamed D2C dot in 2016, merged Image Source in 2022 into D2C ID, then consolidated with D2C R and D2C ID into D2C Inc. in October 2025) and became a wholly-owned subsidiary of CARTA HOLDINGS in January 2026, with its Marketing & Creative business now operating alongside CARTA ZERO CX Creative Bureau. The company employs 716 people across five Japanese offices (Tokyo HQ in Shiodome; Naha; Shibuya/Shinsen; Miyazaki; Niigata) and pursues a B2B professional services model, with pricing contact-based and not publicly disclosed.

The company's service architecture combines strategy, creative production, and proprietary technology. Core platforms include: IMG SRC STUDIO, an R&D prototyping lab developing XR, AI, robotics, and spatial-computing experiences (including Apple Vision Pro haptic prototypes and Sony VPS-based Web XR); Package-Linked Games, smartphone games triggered by scanning product packaging (3 million cumulative plays on the Morinaga Pino Game); SNS Fandom Consulting, a CX-analyst-run social community strategy service (launched February 2026); and FLIP-DOTS, a mechanical-flip-dot physical display technology. Proprietary tech integrations span generative AI for promotional content, multimodal AI orchestration ('Drawn Planets'), conversational AI recommendation (DEAIBOOKS), and a high-precision VPS Web XR offering powered by Sony technology.

D2C monetizes through project fees for integrated marketing campaigns (digital promotion, experiential installations, brand-site development), R&D/prototyping retainers, and a recently launched AI-powered advertising solution co-developed with NTT Docomo, Dentsu, and Dentsu Digital — leveraging the Docomo data clean room plus Google Performance Max, with approximately 20 adopting companies and a reported 20% CPA efficiency improvement since November 2024. The customer base is enterprise-weighted across automotive (Toyota, Sony Honda Mobility), railway (JR East), food and beverage (Morinaga, Nissin, Kirin, Asahi, Suntory, Meiji), cosmetics (Shiseido), pharmaceutical (Otsuka, Daiichi Sankyo), banking (Seven Bank, Credit Saison), telecom (NTT Docomo), gaming/electronics (Sony, AlphaTheta), government (Tokyo Metropolitan Government), and entertainment venues (ORIX Aquarium, Universal Music). Marketing channels include a technical blog, note/X/Facebook social presence, industry awards (Spikes Asia 2026 Bronze, D&AD 2025, AUGGIE 2026 finalist, AWE USA), PR Times distribution, and downloadable whitepapers — i.e., a content-led top-of-funnel approach feeding direct enterprise sales via field sales and incoming inquiries.

Name

D2C dot

Legal name

株式会社D2C

Website

https://www.d2cid.co.jp/

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

D2C Inc. is a Tokyo-headquartered integrated CX marketing and creative agency, now a wholly-owned subsidiary of CARTA HOLDINGS, serving Japanese and global enterprise brands with strategy, creative production, XR/AI-driven experiential technology, and an NTT Docomo-powered AI advertising platform across 716 staff and five offices.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marketing & Creative Services

NAICS

Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Computer Systems Design Services (541512), Software Publishers (5132), Graphic Design Services (54143), Postproduction Services and Other Motion Picture and Video Industries (51219)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)

akta.pro primary industry

Customer Experience (CX) & Digital Experience (BPAHAEAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Technology & B2B PR (MPAAADAC)

Keywords

• Integrated marketing services
• Customer experience solutions
• XR experiential technology
• Digital creative agency
• Generative AI promotion

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Marketing & Creative Services: Integrated marketing communication, digital promotion, creative production, and CX solutions provided to enterprise clients. Services include communication planning, content direction, digital marketing, event planning, and media consulting.
2. Installation Art & Experiential Technology: Planning and implementation of digital installations, XR experiences, and experiential technology solutions for events, retail spaces, and public installations.
3. Web/Media Production & Management: Website development, application development, and digital media production and management services.
4. R&D and Prototyping Services: Prototyping, development and provision of new technologies and experiences through R&D lab activities including XR, AI, robotics, and emerging technology demonstrations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

D2C is a Tokyo-based digital marketing and creative services firm that delivers integrated CX (Customer Experience) solutions to enterprise clients. Its offerings span communication planning, digital promotion, creative production, website/app development, digital installations, and experiential technology including XR (AR/VR/MR), generative AI, and proprietary physical-display systems such as FLIP-DOTS. The company operates an in-house R&D lab (IMG SRC STUDIO) for prototyping and an AI-powered advertising solution built on NTT Docomo data infrastructure.

Product overview

D2C dot is a Tokyo-based marketing and creative services company that operates as a subsidiary of CARTA HOLDINGS (as of January 2026). The company provides integrated CX (Customer Experience) services through a platform-plus-modules architecture. Core offerings include: (1) IMG SRC STUDIO - the R&D and prototyping laboratory for experiential technology development; (2) Package-Linked Games - smartphone-accessible games tied to product packaging; (3) SNS Fandom Consulting - social media community analysis and strategy; (4) Generative AI Promotion services; (5) Location-Based Entertainment solutions; (6) FLIP-DOTS physical display technology; and (7) CX PARTNERS - collaborative support across SNS, PR, WEB, and Event disciplines. The company also develops proprietary AI-powered advertising solutions leveraging Docomo data in partnership with Dentsu and Dentsu Digital.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SNS Fandom Consulting Strategic consulting service that analyzes and activates social media fan communities to convert transient user excitement into sustained brand loyalty.
• Package-Linked Game Platform AR/mobile-game platform tied to product packaging, allowing consumers to play exclusive games by scanning packages with smartphones, used for promotion campaigns.
• IMG SRC STUDIO (R&D Prototyping Lab) R&D laboratory focused on creative and technology convergence, prototyping experiential installations using XR, AI, robotics, haptics, and emerging technologies.
• Location-Based Entertainment Design and implementation of technology-driven experiences tightly linked to specific locations, maximizing the appeal and visitor engagement of places and regions.
• Generative AI Promotion Promotion experiences created using generative AI, delivering diverse personalized content for marketing campaigns.
• FLIP-DOTS Physical Display System Proprietary physical display technology using mechanical flipping dots with LED lighting and sound to create distinctive analog-feel digital signage for advertising, education, and entertainment.
• Advanced Technology Verification Support (PoC/R&D Support) Accompaniment-style proof-of-concept and R&D support service that helps clients verify and develop advanced technology initiatives using D2C's prototyping expertise.
• CX PARTNERS Collaborative service combining four specialized teams (SNS, PR, WEB, Event) to deliver comprehensive CX maximization from planning through to social implementation.
• Web Accessibility Services One-stop service covering web accessibility diagnosis through to improvement proposals for client websites.
• Local Government Consulting Digital solutions for municipal challenges including administrative digitalization, tourism promotion, and population retention measures.
• Shareable Event SNS-linked event experience design service that transforms experiential events into highly shareable events for organic amplification.
• Docomo Data Square AI-Powered Ad Targeting Solution Next-generation advertising delivery solution leveraging NTT Docomo's data clean room combined with machine learning to generate high-precision prospect lists and optimize CPA, particularly through Google Performance Max integration.

Quantifiable outcome

• 20% improvement in customer acquisition cost (CPA) efficiency for clients using Docomo data-powered AI advertising solution
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability12 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Dentsu Digital / Dentsu Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026Joint development of next-generation advertising delivery solution. Dentsu Digital, Dentsu, and D2C collaborating with NTT Docomo to provide AI-powered advertising optimization leveraging Docomo's data infrastructure.
• NTT Docomo (NTTコミュニケーションズ)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 November 2024Partnership leveraging NTT Docomo's 'docomo data square®' data clean room for AI-powered advertising targeting. Docomo's large-scale multi-dimensional customer data combined with D2C's marketing expertise for high-precision prospect list generation.
• SoVeC CorporationcoreTechnology or IntegrationSoVeC Corporation is a key technology partner for XR development. Collaboration on multiple XR projects including the Greater Shinagawa web-based XR experience using Sony's VPS technology. D2C and SoVeC jointly develop XR content and experiential installations.
• Sony Corporation (Sony CSL)coreTechnology or IntegrationAccess to Sony's high-precision Visual Positioning System (VPS) technology for web-based XR experiences. Enables location-based AR without requiring dedicated app downloads.
• CARTA HOLDINGS Inc. (株式会社CARTA HOLDINGS)coreOthersD2C became a wholly-owned subsidiary of CARTA HOLDINGS from January 2026. D2C's Marketing & Creative business operates as CX Creative Bureau under CARTA ZERO. D2C maintains its operational independence while benefiting from CARTA group resources.
• GooglecoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with Google Performance Max advertising platform. The Docomo data-powered AI solution generates high-precision prospect lists for optimization through Google's Performance Max campaigns.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• R/GA: Global digital agency known for combining technology, design, and consulting for CX transformation. Comparable in focus on innovation, proprietary tech prototypes, and integration of emerging tech (XR, AI) into brand experiences.
• Dentsu Digital: D2C's direct competitor in Japanese digital marketing and CX, and simultaneously a co-development partner on the Docomo AI advertising solution. Operates the same B2B enterprise agency model with overlapping clients and technology capabilities.
• AnalogFolk: Independent global CX and creative agency with strong emphasis on technology-enhanced brand experiences. Comparable in offering experiential, XR, and design-led CX solutions to enterprise clients.
• D.A. Consortium: Japanese digital advertising platform operator (a CARTA HOLDINGS group company) specializing in data-driven digital marketing. Closely comparable in vertical technology stack and operates as a fellow CARTA ecosystem peer.
• Septeni Holdings: Japanese digital marketing agency group with strong adtech and AI analytics capabilities, including proprietary data clean room partnerships. Closely comparable mid-sized digital CX agency serving enterprise clients.

Broad incumbents

• Hakuhodo DY Holdings: Japan's second-largest advertising group with a full-stack digital, creative, and CX practice. Comparable large-scale enterprise agency model with broader portfolio (media, content, commerce) competing for the same client briefs.
• CyberAgent: Major Japanese digital media and advertising conglomerate with AI-driven ad tech (Dynalyst) and creative agency operations. Overlaps D2C's data-driven advertising and AI-marketing capabilities.
• ADK Holdings: One of Japan's top advertising agency groups with integrated digital marketing, creative, and content solutions. Serves the same major Japanese enterprise roster (Toyota, beverage, pharma) and competes for integrated CX briefs.
• Accenture Song (formerly Accenture Interactive): Global CX, design, and digital transformation practice within Accenture. Comparable in delivering integrated technology-driven CX solutions at scale to Fortune 500 enterprise clients.

Others

• Everyday Health (CARTA group): CARTA HOLDINGS parent company and group entity; sister company within CARTA ecosystem now providing direct strategic, capital, and distribution support to D2C. Relevant as parent/sibling for group strategy comparison.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/D2CIDinc
• Facebookfacebook.com/D2CIDinc

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about D2C dot