Join us for FIBEP WMIC 2026 in Tokyo from 3–5 November at the Hilton Shinjuku, Tokyo, under the theme KAIZEN: Continuous Improvement for a New Era.
KAIZEN—the philosophy of continuous improvement—is especially relevant as media intelligence enters a new era shaped by AI, platform fragmentation, and rising client expectations. It is not about change for its own sake, but about building smarter, more resilient ways to deliver insights at a global, enterprise scale. This year’s theme will explore how ongoing innovation in technology, methodology, and partnerships can help the industry adapt, maintain trust, and create lasting value for clients worldwide.
Hosted by AT Clipping, the congress also offers premium networking opportunities designed to foster meaningful connections. Highlights include a welcome cocktail hosted by Media Track, a refreshing morning sightseeing run organized by Muck Rack, and a spectacular Gala Dinner hosted by TV Eyes at the Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills—an exceptional venue with breathtaking views over the city.
Welcome to the FIBEP World Media Intelligence Congress, the premier event for media intelligence professionals.
Our conference is designed to connect the world's top professionals in the industry, providing attendees with the opportunity to learn from leading experts, share their own experiences and ideas, and build relationships that will help drive innovation and growth in the industry. Our mission is simple - connecting the professionals to enhance success for the clients. Join us today and become a part of the community that is shaping the future of media intelligence.
3-5 November, 2026
AGENDA
The WMIC26 agenda is currently being carefully crafted and will be published by the end of May.
All topics and sessions will be aligned with the congress theme, Kaizen: Continuous Improvement for a New Era, ensuring a cohesive program focused on innovation, progress, and ongoing advancement across the field.
SHARE YOUR STORY OF INNOVATION AT WMIC'26!
Do you have a story of transformation? Have you leveraged AI to redefine "insight"? Are you partnering with global publishers or cybersecurity experts to protect the truth? We want to hear from you.
Join the renowned speakers.
REGISTRATION
HOTEL
Hilton Tokyo Hotel overlooks Shinjuku Central Park and the Shinjuku Skyscraper District.
It offers a buffet restaurant and stylish rooms with movies-on-demand. Rooms at the Tokyo Hilton are elegantly decorated and offer views of the cosmopolitan Shinjuku area. Guests can enjoy satellite channels on their LCD TV. Hilton Honors members can enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi during their stay. The stay includes free access to the indoor pool, sauna and fitness centre.
Directly connected to Tochomae Subway Station, the hotel is a 5-minute walk from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. Shinjuku Train Station is a pleasant 15-minute walk away, or a 5-minute ride in the hotel’s free shuttle. The Kabukicho area and Isetan Department Store are a 20-minute walk. A limousine bus from Haneda Airport and Narita Airport is available directly to the hotel (charges apply). Guests can recharge with a game of tennis on the rooftop, unwind in the hot tub or browse the hotel's shops. The Hilton Tokyo Hotel offers a breakfast buffet with Western food and a range of Japanese dishes. Restaurants serve authentic Japanese cuisine, while drinks and snacks can be enjoyed at the bar or in the lounge.
Hotel Location:
160-0023, Shinjuku-Ku, 6-6-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Japan
FIBEP has secured a limited number of rooms at advantageous congress price. Explore the the offer here.
If you are experiencing issues while booking the hotel, please contact secretariat@fibep.info
BOOK YOUR TRANSFER WITH WELCOME PICKUPS
FIBEP has secured a deal with Welcome Pickups to make your way to your accommodation in Tokyo easy.
Welcome Pickups offers a transfer booking in just a few steps.
After the booking is completed, the local driver receives the details for your pickup and you receive an email with their details. After the introduction, you will continue receiving updates regarding your transfer through email notifications, up until the moment you meet your driver at the arrival gate. The drivers know exactly where to find you and what to do in case of unexpected changes, so rest assured that everything will go according to plan.
The service is offered at the same or a slightly higher price than a metered taxi ride. However, when you book with Welcome Pickups there are no additional charges depending on traffic or other factors. The goal is to connect you with a local professional driver who, apart from transferring you, will answer any question you might have during your first hour in the destination, and make your first moments unique and memorable. Think of it more like a local friend with a car.
SPONSORS
Elevate Your Brand at FIBEP World Media Intelligence Congress 2026!
Don't miss the chance to showcase your brand to a global audience of media intelligence professionals at the FIBEP World Media Intelligence Congress 2025 in Düsseldorf!
Our sponsorship packages are tailored to suit your unique marketing objectives and budget requirements.
Gain unparalleled exposure and make lasting connections with industry leaders. To learn more about our sponsorship opportunities, contact us at secretariat@fibep.info.
Gala Dinner Partner
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Host Partner
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Welcome Cocktails Partner
Bronze Partners
Industry Partners
GALA DINNER
FIBEP GALA DINNER 2026
sponsored by TV Eyes
4. November, 2026
Indulge.
Connect.
Shine.
Look ahead to an unforgettable evening at the Gala Dinner of the FIBEP World Media Intelligence Congress 2026, set high above the vibrant skyline of Tokyo at the stunning Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills.
Perched on a breathtaking rooftop with panoramic city views, this exceptional venue invites you to experience a night where contemporary elegance meets the spirit of Japan. Dress in striking red and white—symbolic colors of Japanese culture—and become part of a visually captivating celebration.
Indulge in exquisite cuisine, connect with peers, and immerse yourself in an atmosphere of refined style and modern sophistication, all while the dazzling lights of Tokyo create a truly unforgettable backdrop.
SIGHTSEEING RUN
JOIN FIBEP RUNNING TEAM
Organized by Natan Edelsburg, Muck Rack
3. November, 2026, 7:00 AM from Hilton Shinjuku
Morning sightseeing run with a professional guide.
Explore the place while running. The run will take approximately 1 hour. Runners of all levels are welcome. First 10 runners are free. Email natan(at)muckrack(dot)com with any questions.
TRAVEL TIPS
Arrival in Japan
Entry to Japan:
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Passport: A valid passport during your entire stay is required for entry. Ensure that it remains valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned departure from Japan.
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Citizens of many countries (e.g. EU, US, UK, Canada, Australia, South Korea, Singapore) can enter visa-free for short stays (usually up to 90 days).
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Visa are required for travellers from India, China, Vietnam, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Iran, Iraq, Syria
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Proof that you will leave Japan (onward or return ticket)
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Accommodation details
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Custom and immigration form you can fill online and generate QR code, that speeds up your entry procedure - form here
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Travel Insurance: You might need travel insurance covering medical expenses and emergency situations.
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Always check the specific requirements for your nationality and travel purpose, as they may change.
Getting to the hotel:
To get from Tokyo Haneda Airport to the Hilton Shinjuku, you have a few convenient options:
1) Direct Limousine Bus Haneda - Shinjuku - 55 minutes, cost range: 1,400 - 2,200 yen
2) Tokyo Monorail - Hamamatsucho - TRANSFER TO JR Yamanote Line - Shinjuku - 70 minutes, cost range: 800 - 1,200 yen
3) Taxi / Private Pickups / Welcome Pickups - 50 minutes, cost range: 8,000 - 9,000 yen
To get from Tokyo Narita Airport to the Hilton Shinjuku, you have a few convenient options:
1) Direct Train Narita Express: Narita - Shinjuku Station - 90 minutes, cost: 3,250 yen
2) Skyliner + JR Line: Keisei Skyliner to Nippori or Ueno then TRANSFER TO JR Yamanote Line → Shinjuku - 75 minutes, cost range: 2,700 yen
3) Airport Limousine Bus: Narita to Shinjuku - 120 minutes, cost range: 3,600 yen
4) Taxi / Private Pickups / Welcome Pickups - 100 minutes, cost range: 25,000 - 35,000 yen
Useful information:
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The official currency is yen (1 EUR = app 184 yen)
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Japan uses Type A and Type B electrical sockets, similar to North America, operating at 100V and 50/60Hz.
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The favourite taxi app is GO TAXI, apps call licensed taxi drivers with taxameters. Pick up points might be difficult to locate at multi level buildings and structures.
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If you plan to travel by public transport including trains both in Tokyo and outside, download a travel app Suica. Valid for buses, trains, metro.
Weather:
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If you are a "wait for the perfect time" person, then November is your month in Tokyo. It offers the best sightseeing weather of the year—crisp, comfortable, dry, and absolutely beautiful, with an average temperature of 57°F (14°C).
Things to See and Do
Senso-Ji Temple - Tokyo’s oldest temple, located in Asakusa. Walk through Nakamise Street for snacks and souvenirs
Meiji Shrine – A peaceful forest shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji
Tokyo Tower – Classic city views, especially at sunset
Tokyo Skytree - tallest tower in Japan since opening in 2012 with panoramatic views
Ueno Park - Tokyo National Museum, Ueno Zoo and the National Museum of Western Art
Imperial Palace – Beautiful gardens and historic grounds in the city center
Shibuya Crossing – The world’s busiest crossing—pure Tokyo energy
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden – A large, serene park perfect for a break from the city
Roppongi Hills – Great for nightlife, art, and skyline views
Harajuku – Trendy, quirky fashion and street food (don’t miss Takeshita Street)
Akihabara – Anime, gaming, electronics paradise
Ginza – Luxury shopping and fine dining
Tsukiji Outer Market – Fresh seafood and street food stalls
teamLab Planets – Immersive digital art
Mori Art Museum – Modern exhibitions with a view
Tokyo Sumo Show
A day trip to Hakone – Views of Mt. Fuji and relaxing onsen
A day trip to Nikko – Shrines, temples, and nature
SPEAKERS
German boasts over 30 years of public relations industry experience and joined Kyodo PR, one of Japan’s oldest and biggest PR agencies, in early 2002 from another multinational PR agency network.
He is based in Tokyo and currently provides strategic counsel on marketing and communication programs to non-Japanese company-clients, particularly technology and hospitality firms entering the Japanese market, including B2B firms.
He is an American that holds a BS from the University of California and is trilingual (English, Japanese and Spanish).
German Saa
Senior Adviser | Kyodo PR
Rod Savage
Director - Newsroom Innovation | News Corp Australia
Rod has long existed at the collision point of journalism and technology, and now leads an AI-driven transformation across the company's editorial portfolio. Over three decades with News, he’s run digital operations at two Olympic Games, edited The Sunday Times in WA, worked in New York and London, built News' national digital network and launched advertiser.com.au. He also helps steer the News Corp / Google / Melbourne Business School's Digital News Academy, which has lifted the digital storytelling skills of thousands of journalists over the past five years. Rod lives in Adelaide with his journalist wife Kate and their three children, all of whom have, rather disappointingly, rejected careers in the family trade.
Nahar Khan
Executive Director | United News of Bangladesh
Nahar Khan is Executive Editor at United News of Bangladesh (UNB), South Asia's first fully digitized private newswire, where she leads editorial governance, crisis-ready newsroom operations, and technology-enabled reporting. She is also Founder and President of Solis Group, a strategic advisory focused on research-driven strategy, narrative analysis, and commercial development across a diversified portfolio. Through Greymatter, powered by Solis Group, she builds intelligence capabilities that help organizations track narratives, assess risk, and support data-informed communications and policy decisions. Nahar also serves as Board Representative for UNB at AsiaNet, fostering collaboration among leading news and PR agencies across Asia-Pacific.
Ian Rowley is a Communications Director at Nissan Motor Corporation, based at the company’s global headquarters in Yokohama. He leads Nissan’s global digital communications, integrating platform amplification, storytelling, measurement, executive visibility and digital transformation to strengthen the company’s global narrative.
Before assuming this role, Ian held a series of senior positions across the Global Communications division after joining Nissan’s Global Media Center in 2011. This includes stints overseeing digital channel strategy, content development, social media and measurement & reporting.
Ian began his career as a financial journalist in London before moving to Tokyo, where he worked as a correspondent for Bloomberg Businessweek and later as an editor at Bloomberg News, overseeing Asia automotive coverage. His newsroom background informs his approach to clear, credible, and data‑driven communication, combining editorial discipline with strategic vision.
A U.K. national, he holds a BSc in Economics & Geography from University College London and an MSc in Development Studies from the London School of Economics.
Ian Rowley
Communication Director | Nissan Motor Corporation
Sonia LaFountain is VP of Content Partnerships at MEI Global, where she builds publisher agreements that protect rights while expanding opportunities, from aggregation and syndication to AI use cases. That work is grounded in more than two decades at LexisNexis, where she served as Director of Content Planning across the Americas and Asia-Pacific, securing publisher rights and managing content governance frameworks. She also led global partnership and operations teams at iCrowdNewswire and CARMA International, scaling programs in press release distribution and media intelligence in worldwide markets.
Sonia LaFountain
VP of Content Partnerships | MEI Global
Based in Japan, Mark Kennedy is currently the Customer Success Partner for 60 Seconds. Mark has lived and worked in Japan for more than 30 years and is now a permanent resident. He began his career in sales and spent most of it working for the American medical device manufacturer Hollister Incorporated, in both Japan and the United States. Mark held various management positions in sales, marketing, and general management. Notably, he established his firm's Japanese subsidiary. Mark is a former Fulbright Scholar and is fluent in Japanese. He is passionate about helping frontline sales managers develop their sales teams to excel at consultative selling. Mark has an M.B.A. from the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management with a concentration in healthcare.
Mark continues to support Nexdigm in helping Japanese companies access the growing markets of India and the Gulf States.
Mark is the founder of the Real Gaijin Substack (https://realgaijin.substack.com), for which he typically writes about business-related topics, the unique culture of Japan, and travel.
Mark is passionate about hiking, biking, and water sports - especially sailing.
Mark Kennedy
Founder | Real Gaijin Substack
Luke Happle
Global PR and Communications Lead | Fujitsu
Luke is an international corporate communications specialist with almost a decade of experience in global-facing and management roles in Japan. Currently serving as a global PR and communications lead at Fujitsu, he manages communications across Europe, America, and APAC, specializing in leading global teams, cross‑border media strategy, and bridging the gap between Japan and regional markets.
An avid cyclist, onsen enthusiast, and regular performer on the Tokyo comedy scene at Improvazilla and Roles For Initiative, Luke has lived in Japan for more than 16 years and is fluent in Japanese. He looks forward to sharing his insights as a contributor to this panel.
Celia Harding is the founder of LEOPRD, the world’s first AI visibility consultancy, specialising in Language Engine Optimisation (LEO) and Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) - helping brands be found, featured, and talked about by both humans and machines. Through LEOPRD, she works with a diverse mix of organisations to shape how they appear across media and generative AI platforms such as ChatGPT.
A PR trailblazer with over two decades of agency experience, Celia has led campaigns for the likes of Google, Diageo, and Mastercard. She is known for her no-nonsense approach and sharp cultural instinct, ensuring brands are relevant, credible and recommended. Celia is the author of the Reputation to Revenue report, an influential study on brand visibility, trust, and authority in the age of AI.
Previously, Celia founded PR Shed, a subscription PR platform that democratised publicity for startups and scaleups. A straight-talking voice in modern communications, she continues to push the industry forward - proving that in the AI era, reputation isn’t bought; it’s built.
Celia Harding
Founder | LEOPRD
Naka Imuta is the Founder and CEO of Techtouch, a platform dedicated to enhancing software adoption across organizations.
A graduate of Keio University’s Faculty of Law and Columbia Business School.
Naka began his career in investment banking at Shinsei Bank and Deutsche Securities, where he executed fundraising and M&A transactions for publicly listed companies.
He later joined United, Inc., serving as Head of the Apps Business and CEO of its U.S. subsidiary, where he gained extensive experience growing and scaling mobile app services — before going on to found Techtouch.
Naka Imuta
Founder & CEO | Techtouch
David Milstein is the Managing Partner of Eight Roads Ventures Japan. David’s investments include among others,
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Paidy, a buy-now-pay-later company purchased by PayPal for $2.7 billion, the largest venture M&A exit in Japan
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Whill, the leading personal mobility and Mobility as a Service company which provides automonous solutions to airports and hospitals worldwide, and
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newmo, Japan’s leading ride sharing company.
Early in his career, David worked for Asahi Glass and then was a founder of Japan Transaction Partners. Then he joined Fidelity Ventures to set up the operations in Japan. In 2005, he joined the Walt Disney Company Japan as VP of the Interactive Media Group, he was responsible for building and launching the Disney Mobile MVNO service. This business drove the division to its largest revenue and profit ever. In 2010, he was appointed General Manager of the Disney Interactive Media Group. He earned an MBA from the Harvard Business School and a BS in Economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
David Milstein
Managing Partner | Eight Roads Ventures Japan
Louise George Kittaka
Cross-cultural Communication Specialist
Louise George Kittaka is a Tokyo-based bilingual freelance writer and cross-cultural communication specialist from New Zealand. With over 25 years of experience, she produces editorial and branded content on Japan’s culture, business and tourism, with a focus on regional storytelling aimed at international audiences.
She contributes to a wide range of domestic and global platforms, including The Japan Times, the Michelin Guide and Lonely Planet, and has worked with organizations such as the Toshiba Foundation, Mazda and JNTO, as well as other public and private sector partners on content and communications projects. Alongside her media work, she conducts cross-cultural training for expatriate families and teaches English communication at the university level.
She holds a BA in Japanese from the University of Waikato and an MA in Intercultural Studies from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
Baye McNeil is a Brooklyn-born writer who has lived in Japan since 2004. What began as a break from the tense post‑9/11 climate in the United States became a two‑decade journey of observing, questioning, and chronicling life in his adopted home. His work blends personal narrative, cultural insight, and a grounded, accessible voice shaped by years of lived experience. He first gained wide attention through his blog Loco in Yokohama, which led to two acclaimed books exploring race, belonging, and everyday encounters in Japan. Since 2014, he has written the monthly Black Eye column for The Japan Times, and since 2018 he has contributed a regular column in Japanese for Toyo Keizai, bringing his perspective to a broad business readership. His third book, Words by Baye, Art by Miki (2025), created with his wife, marks a new phase in his storytelling—more collaborative, more intimate, and more expansive. Over the years, Baye’s commentary and reporting have influenced national conversations on representation and media responsibility in Japan. His work and interviews have appeared across major media in Japan and abroad, including NHK, TBS, Asahi Shimbun, BBC, NPR, The New York Times, and The Washington Post, with additional coverage in The Wall Street Journal, Vox, and other outlets. His public advocacy has contributed to meaningful shifts in how Japanese media and corporations approach issues of race and diversity. Today, Baye focuses on writing, lecturing, and cultural consulting, drawing on two decades of experience navigating and interpreting Japan’s social landscape. He lives in Yokohama with his wife, Miki, continuing to build stories that connect people across cultures with clarity, humor, and emotional truth.
Baye McNeil
Writer
Luke leads Amazon Web Services' Data & AI business across the Asia Pacific and Japan region, one of the world's most dynamic and diverse technology markets. In this role, he owns the end to end business from performance, team management to driving strategic initiatives that help organizations harness the transformative power of data and artificial intelligence to reimagine their businesses and create unprecedented customer value. With over 25 years of experience at the intersection of technology and business transformation, Luke has built his career on a simple belief: the most powerful innovations emerge when cutting-edge
technology meets deep customer understanding. He partners with C-suite executives across industries. Segments and geographies —from financial services to healthcare, startup to governments —helping them navigate the complexities of AI adoption and data modernization to achieve measurable business outcomes. Before joining AWS, Luke was a Technology sector leader at KPMG, where he shaped the firm's approach to emerging technologies and led investments in IoT consulting capabilities. His earlier tenure at Accenture and pioneering roles at Bytemobile, Openwave, and Software.com gave him firsthand experience building and scaling mobile internet and email products during the industry's formative years—lessons that inform his approach to today's AI revolution.
Luke Anderson
Managing Director Data & AI | Amazon
A senior media executive with extensive international experience as a foreign correspondent and bureau chief across Asia, Latin America, and the United States. Proven leadership in digital content strategy, newsroom management, and global reporting operations. Currently leading digital business transformation at Kyodo News.
Motonobu Endo
Director, Digital Business Division | Business Bureau, Kyodo News
Ai earned a BA in Economics from the University of Tokyo. She joined Goldman Sachs in April 2015 and spent over 10 years with the firm across its Tokyo and San Francisco offices. As a Vice President in the Investment Banking Division, she primarily advised technology companies on M&A transactions as well as equity and debt capital markets financing.
In July 2025, she joined Sakana AI as Head of Corporate Development, where she oversees fundraising, investor relations, and M&A initiatives.