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: Kawahiro — How a Chinese-Made Knife Brand Fabricates Japanese Identity to Capture Premium Pricing Independent Cultural & Strategic AssessmentGreg Taniguchi Brand Audit Executive Summary Kawahiro is a mass-produced kitchen knife brand manufactured in Yangjiang, China (a major hub for cutlery production). Despite its entirely Chinese origin, operations, and ownership structure, the brand employs … Continue reading Brand Audit: Kawahiro