Our Services
Full Service offer
Whether you’re seeking a one-off project or looking for an end-to-end marketing partner in Japan, McLaren Group has you covered.
We pride ourselves on offering a range of specialized services, from initial consulting to Marketing Strategy, Consumer Research, Plan Execution, and Business Development.
One of the most crucial steps in our engagement is the initial needs analysis, where we delve into understanding your unique requirements and market challenges. This ensures that every strategy we develop is tailored just for you. Take the first step toward success by filling out our contact form for a free 30-minute consultation. Let’s begin your journey to market leadership.
Problems we solve:
- No local Marketing Team on the ground in Japan?
- No dedicated Project Manager for a key initiative in Japan?
Solutions offered:
- Full-service engagement
Embrace a marketing journey that starts with clarity and culminates in success. McLaren Group’s full-service offer takes you from a meticulous understanding of your needs to strategic market mapping, plan formulation, and expert execution. With post-implementation reviews, we ensure consistent growth and lessons learned for future endeavors.

Modular Solutions

Marketing Strategy
Problems we solve:
- No clear Marketing Strategy for Japan?
- No local Marketing Team on the ground in Japan?
- No dedicated Project Manager for a key initiative in Japan?
- Brand/product not meeting goals?

Consumer Research
Problems we solve:
- No clear Marketing Strategy for Japan?
- No local Marketing Team on the ground in Japan?
- No dedicated Project Manager for a key initiative in Japan?
- Brand/product not meeting goals?

Marketing Plan Execution
Problems we solve:
- No local Marketing Team on the ground in Japan?
- No dedicated Project Manager for a key initiative in Japan?
- Unclear on the Agency landscape, and struggling to find the right partner?

Business Development
Problems we solve:
- No local Business Development Team on the ground in Japan?
- Having trouble building trust among potential partners?
- Wanting to scale your business quickly?
Marketing Strategy
Solutions Offered:
- Marketing Strategy Planning
- OGSM / KPI Goal Setting
- Strategic Workshops
Following on from an acute understanding of a company’s goals (which can be achieved through classic models such as OGSM Framework), at the core of every successful marketing strategy is a keen understanding of the landscape. In Japan, where business nuances can differ vastly from Western practices, having a “cultural bridge” can be invaluable. This is where our expertise shines. While we appreciate that theoretical models aren’t the be-all and end-all, they serve as pivotal checkpoints in our process. Among the various models we deploy, the Japanese classic, 3C Analysis holds a special place. Not only does it parallel the SWOT analysis, but it also delves deeper, offering a granular look into the competitive context. We find that this can often be a great starting point, to brand analysis and strategy. By intertwining such tools with our unique insight into the Japanese market, we ensure that your brand is positioned optimally, resonating with both local and global audiences.


Consumer Research
Solutions Offered:
- Traditional Quantitative Solutions (online, offline)
- Traditional Qualitative Solutions (online, offline)
- Secondary Research (Desk research)
- UX Research
- Semiotics
- Innovative AI Techniques
Understanding the Japanese consumer requires a balance between art and science, emphasizing the selection of the most appropriate research tools based on objectives. Whether the aim is exploratory, to uncover unique market nuances, or explanatory, to clarify and understand these intricacies, the choice between primary and secondary data becomes crucial. Japan boasts a rich reservoir of secondary data, offering rapid and in-depth insights, though primary research undoubtedly has its merits. By comprehending the objectives and astutely selecting data sources, we pinpoint the “zone of max ROI,” ensuring efficient research deployment. This is not merely about methods but encompasses bridging cultural divides, grasping the subtle undertones of the Japanese consumer mindset, and crafting tailored strategies in response.

Marketing Plan Execution
Solutions Offered:
- Digital Advertising
- Social Media Marketing
- SEO and SEM
- Content Creation’Influencer Collaborations
- Outdoor and Print Advertising
- Event and Experience Marketing
- PR and Public Relations
Effective marketing, especially in a multifaceted market like Japan, doesn’t just halt at strategy formulation. It’s about navigating the nuances of Japanese consumer behavior, cultural idiosyncrasies, and media consumption habits with finesse. It demands a meticulous execution where creativity and media are synergized, all under a shared vision crafted specifically for the Japanese audience. The linchpin, though, remains consistent: an overarching strategy fortified with clear KPIs that understands and addresses the larger company goals, and unique challenges and opportunities of the Japanese market. The chart below encapsulates this synergy, illustrating the importance of an integrated approach that not only amplifies your message but also ensures it resonates deeply and authentically with your Japanese audience.

Business Development
Solutions Offered:
- Bespoke Partner Introductions
- Sales Agent Support
The first step to business success is mastering distribution – your ticket from a standstill to momentum. In Japan, this challenge is amplified by the inherent complexity of its relationship-based distribution channels. Through our deep-rooted connections, we simplify this puzzle, facilitating not just distribution but the essential visibility that can transform your brand’s ascent. The chart below offers a glimpse into our Marketing Mix Model which clarifies that Placement (Distribution) is taking you from 0 to 1, and in the FMCG Category, levers like Shelf Visibility and Innovation, can step-change growth.
