McCann’s History: A Legacy Continuing from 1902

HISTORY

For over 120 years since its founding in 1902, McCann has continued to lead the forefront of advertising and communications. From New York to Tokyo and beyond — here is our journey.

THE BEGINNING — 1902-1930

1902 Alfred Erickson, a former advertising manager of a department store in Manhattan, New York, founded an advertising company. H.K. McCann established an independent agency from the advertising department of Standard Oil.
1912 The two companies form a joint venture, McCann Erickson, a $15 million advertising company.
1930 The company opens its first international offices in Paris and London. A pioneer of the international advertising network.

JAPAN — 1960-1997

1960 McCann-Erickson Hakuhodo Inc. is established in Tokyo as the first US-Japan advertising joint venture with Hakuhodo.
1965 The agency becomes the first to introduce the concept of GRP to Japan. Industry mindset shifts from “low-price, low-rates” to “reach & frequency.”
1972 The agency becomes the first to introduce the concept of TARP to Japan. The era of individual reach & frequency begins.
1984 McCann Healthcare is established.
1994 The Japanese subsidiary becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of McCann Erickson and is renamed McCann Erickson Japan.
1997 MACInsight, a panel study of media contact, consumption, and purchase, is conducted for the first time. (currently Media in Mind)

EXPANSION — 1999-2014

1999 PR company, IPR Shandwick (currently Weber Shandwick Worldwide), becomes a part of The Interpublic Group of Companies. Established UM.
2000 Established Momentum. (currently Momentum Japan)
2001 Established Aoyama Graphic Design. (currently Craft Worldwide)
2002 Established MRM Partners Worldwide (currently MRM Worldwide). McMEDICAL is launched to provide total communications consulting service in the medical and healthcare fields.
2004 Tag Tokyo, a new marketing unit specializing in young adults, is established.
2010 McCann Worldgroup Holdings Japan Inc. is established.
2012 The Mediabrands Audience Platform was launched in Japan. (currently Kinesso Japan)
2014 ChaseDesign is established in Japan.

NEW ERA — 2020-2025

2020 December 16, McCann Worldgroup Holdings celebrates its 60th anniversary.
2021 Established IPG Health.
2025 Takashi Aoki becomes CEO. One McCANN structure launched.