SOKKIN
Building An Equitable Digital Marketing Space In Japan

One of the most critical challenges facing the marketing space in Japan today is the disparity in marketing resources between large corporations and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs). Larger corporations have the resources to engage significant advertising agencies that offer sophisticated, data-driven marketing solutions. In contrast, SMEs often rely on smaller agencies that cannot provide the same level of service. This significantly disadvantages smaller businesses, particularly in a country where marketing innovation is critical for economic resurgence.

As a result, this digital divide is proving to be a stumbling block to the country’s economic development. SOKKIN, under the leadership of President and CEO Ryohei Homma, aims to close this gap, providing an “ALWAYS SOKKIN” approach— where every company, from large corporations to budding ventures, can find tailored, efficient marketing strategies to meet their specific goals. Through its comprehensive suite of services, the company delivers high-quality marketing solutions to ensure that businesses, regardless of their budget or scale, have access to the tools they need to grow and thrive.



Addressing the Digital Divide

Drawing on its expertise in Japan’s top-tier marketing environments, SOKKIN offers a full suite of services that rivals the major players. The company’s approach is designed to break down traditional barriers, providing comprehensive marketing strategies that encompass everything from ad management and creative production to advanced statistical analysis. What sets SOKKIN apart is its ability to deliver these services at competitive costs, making them accessible to companies with smaller budgets.

“Our approach ensures that every business— regardless of size—can benefit from a high level of marketing support,” says Homma. “It’s about creating a level playing field where smaller companies can compete effectively.”

The Four Pillars of SOKKIN

SOKKIN’s offerings are structured around four key business segments, each designed to cater to the diverse needs of its clients.

SOKKIN AGENT is the first pillar, a web advertising agency that leverages top-tier marketing skills to offer high-quality solutions to clients who may struggle to access the services of major agencies. From full-funnel advertising strategies to CRM solutions, SOKKIN AGENT delivers end-to-end marketing support, resulting in tangible client improvements. In just four years, the service has achieved remarkable results, with all clients seeing at least a 120 percent increase in customer acquisition and a 90 percent improvement in efficiency compared to their previous setups.

The next pillar is SOKKIN MATCH, a professional talent-matching service that connects companies with top-tier freelance marketers and creators. Homma is particularly proud of this offering, as it addresses a key pain point for smaller companies that need marketing expertise but lack the resources to hire full-time staff or work with large agencies. SOKKIN MATCH allows businesses to access senior talent from Japan’s leading advertising agencies, ensuring they receive the same high-quality service but at a fraction of the cost. The service has earned a 95 percent client retention rate and is frequently lauded for its ability to quickly and efficiently match clients with the right talent.

Recognizing the importance of building internal marketing capabilities, SOKKIN ACADEMY—the third pillar—provides education and training for businesses and advertising agencies.
“Japan faces a shortage of skilled marketers, and SOKKIN ACADEMY aims to fill this gap by training new graduates and marketing departments to excel in today’s digital landscape. The program integrates practical learning with real-world application, ensuring that participants not only understand marketing theory but also apply it effectively in their roles,” says Homma.

SOKKIN’s final pillar is SOKKIN MEDIA, a comparison site that offers users clear and concise information to help them make informed decisions. For businesses, this means access to a well-targeted audience with a higher lifetime value (LTV). At the same time, SOKKIN’s in-house media management ensures a seamless Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle to continuously improve performance.

The “ALWAYS SOKKIN” Approach

The “ALWAYS SOKKIN” approach has been a central philosophy underscoring the company’s commitment to being a constant partner in its clients’ marketing journey. Whether a company needs help with advertising strategy, talent recruitment, marketing education, or sales channels, SOKKIN provides comprehensive, integrated solutions that cater to every need.

“Our goal is to always be there for our clients, no matter the size of their marketing challenges. Whether they require the expertise of SOKKIN AGENT or the professional support of SOKKIN MATCH, we ensure their marketing needs are met with the highest standards,” says Homma.

One notable success story comes from SOKKIN’s professional talent-matching service, SOKKIN MATCH. A SaaS company struggling with underperforming web marketing turned to SOKKIN after working with several smaller agencies that failed to deliver. SOKKIN MATCH provided senior talent from top advertising agencies, who restructured the company’s marketing framework. By implementing a data-driven approach to advertising, the company saw a staggering 56-fold improvement in its advertising effectiveness. This success story illustrates the impact of SOKKIN’s expertise, particularly for companies traditionally underserved by larger agencies.

SOKKIN’s engagement often evolves beyond a single service. In one instance, a client who initially worked with SOKKIN AGENT to achieve their business objectives later expanded the collaboration to include SOKKIN MATCH for professional outsourcing and SOKKIN ACADEMY for in-house training.

Reshaping the Future of Digital Marketing in Japan and Beyond

Homma envisions further growth for SOKKIN, both within Japan and globally. As digital marketing continues to evolve, the company is preparing to launch two new services in the coming fiscal year. While details are still under wraps, Homma hints that these services will challenge legacy industries and offer even more innovative solutions for businesses of all sizes.

At its core, SOKKIN will continue to focus on its mission of eliminating the digital divide and ensuring that every company, regardless of size, has access to the best marketing tools available. As the company grows, its commitment to client success will remain central.

In Homma’s words, “Our clients’ success is our success. We’re here to ensure that no matter their challenges, they can always count on SOKKIN.”

Through its innovative solutions, customer-centric approach, and dedication to closing the digital divide, SOKKIN is poised to reshape the future of digital marketing in Japan and beyond.