About Us
Our Skills, your team
Embark on a journey through the Japanese market with McLaren Group, your compass to success.
With a core team boasting over 40 years of combined experience and an extended network of advisors and industry experts, we bridge global aspirations with local triumphs. Our deep-rooted understanding of Japanese traditions, consumer behaviors, and business practices has empowered iconic brands like Coca-cola, Adidas, and Starbucks to resonate with authenticity in this unique market. Our comprehensive services range from strategic consultation to hands-on execution, ensuring that your brand articulates both the language and the nuances of the culture. We are more than your consultants; we are your cultural confidants, advocates of Trust, Transparency, and Triumph. Together, we navigate the path to shared victory, bolstered by our expansive network of seasoned experts who enrich our core team’s insights and strategies.
Core Team
Meet our Core Team, a collective of seasoned marketing and research maestros whose expertise is matched only by their passion for cultural connectivity.
This dynamic group harnesses a diverse array of skills to translate your global brand vision into a narrative that thrives within the Japanese market.
Robert Purss
Managing Director
With dual degrees in Marketing and Psychology from The University of Queensland, Australia, Robert Purss has over 15 years Japan-focused FMCG/CPG Strategic Marketing and Research experience. He has held roles at firms like Nielsen, Reckitt, and Perfetti van Melle, where he adeptly merged Australian initiatives with Japanese precision. At McLaren Group, Purss utilizes his profound knowledge to tailor market growth strategies for the unique Japanese landscape, creating a seamless cultural bridge for global brands such as Coca-cola, P&G, J&J, Lotte, Adidas, and Starbucks.
Specialties
- Strategy
- Marketing
- Consumer Research
- B2C / FMCG
Noriko Kashiwazaki
Director
Noriko Kashiwazaki, enriches the McLaren Group with over 20 years Marketing and Sales experience, particularly in the FMCG sector. She excels in harmonizing global marketing standards with the intricate subtleties of the Japanese market, ensuring that clients not only enter but thrive within this unique business landscape. Kashiwazaki’s specialties extend to International Sales and Business Development, where her strategic approach aligns with robust B2B relationships, driving growth and expansion on an international scale.
Specialties
- Marketing
- International Sales
- Business Development
- B2B
Shinkai Oushiro
Creative Director
Creative director specializing in brand storytelling and performance-driven video marketing. Experienced in leading large-scale creative campaigns for major Japanese brands at a top advertising agency, producing high-impact visuals that drive measurable business results. Skilled in transforming complex ideas into clear, emotionally engaging content across film, digital platforms, and social media.
Specialties
- Creative Direction
- Video Production
- Digital Marketing
- Social Media Strategy
Akimitsu Kuwabara
Senior Consultant
Akimitsu Kuwabara is a seasoned market research and consulting professional with over a decade of experience. A Cornell University graduate, he has worked extensively in healthcare and consumer lifestyle sectors, advising multinational pharmaceutical and med-tech companies expanding into Japan. Fluent in both English and Japanese, Aki leverages his deep understanding of healthcare trends, digital innovation, and emerging technologies like robotics and sustainable energy to help clients seize new business opportunities. His authored market research reports include in-depth analyses on topics such as sleep management, smart homes, and ethical lifestyle trends.
Specialties
- Qualitative Research
- Desk Research
- UX Research
- B2C/B2B
Minako Onitsuka
Marketing Co-ordinator
Minako is a final year student at Temple University, Japan Campus.
She is fluent in 3 languages (Japanese, English and Chinese) and plays a key role in supporting international clients seeking to expand their presence in the Japanese market.
She is particularly skilled in the execution of challenging consumer research projects (both quantitative and qualitative), having worked across a range of diverse industries and projects, including; Food & Beverage, Finance and Tech.
She has a strong interest in cross-cultural communication and strategic marketing, and continues to develop her skills in these areas.
Specialties
- Consumer Research
- Project Management
- Cross-Cultural Communication
- Client Support
Sora Sasaki
Marketing Co-ordinator
Sora Sasaki is an aspiring entrepreneur studying International Business at Temple University, Japan Campus where he focuses on Accounting and Business Strategy.
Sora is particularly skilled in AI-powered workflow automation and internal business process optimization. At McLaren group he leverages this skillset to optimize internal processes to best meet client needs.
In addition, Sora is also involved in the execution of key market entry projects, including supporting the team to execute both primary research (qualitative and quantitative) and secondary desk research projects, for both B2B and B2C clients in diverse industries.
Specialties
- AI-Powered Workflow Automation
- Consumer Research & Analysis
- Project Management
- Business Development
The McLaren Group’s advisory board is not just a brain trust of seasoned professionals—they are also gatekeepers to vast networks in their respective fields.
Their deep-rooted connections enhance our ability to tailor strategies that are both informed and expansive.
Core Advisors
Jonathan Mueller
Import & Export Logistics
Nick Ashley
Strategy & Sustainability
