Cultural Brand Strategist: Managing expectations across borders. Bridging the gap between Western brand identity and Japanese cultural reality, backed by three decades of technical, creative, and marketing leadership.
Dave Chappelle grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland (which was roughly 77% White), while commuting into Washington, D.C., to attend the Duke Ellington School of the Arts (where the student body was about 85% to 90% Black). That background enabled him to act as a cultural bridge between two worlds. A similar dynamic applies to … Continue reading From White Bread to the Asian Buffet
Brand Audit: SomiSomi Soft Serve & TaiyakiIndependent Cultural & Strategic Assessment Greg Taniguchi Brand Audit Executive Summary SomiSomi, founded in 2016 in Los Angeles’ Koreatown by Matt Kim, has grown into a major U.S. chain (33+ locations across California, Texas, Nevada, Washington, and expanding) by popularizing the “ah-boong” format: a Korean bungeo-ppang fish-shaped pastry filled … Continue reading Brand Audit: SomiSomi
Brand Audit: Yoshinoya USA — Why a Japanese Icon Struggles to Replicate Its Global Success in the American Market Shared to protect Japanese brand integrity and help them succeed in the U.S. market without dilution or missteps, not to criticize. ObjectiveIndependent assessment of Yoshinoya’s U.S. operations versus its authentic execution in Japan and Hong Kong, … Continue reading Brand Audit: Yoshinoya USA