TOKYO--Aki Kubo is departing his role as Weber Shandwick Japan president and CEO to take charge of Ogilvy & Mather Japan.

Kubo joined Weber Shandwick, one of Japan’s bigger international PR firms, in mid-2009, following a three-decade career at McCann Erickson that included considerable international experience. He takes on the role of EVP at Ogilvy Japan, responsible for overall management of the group’s various companies in the country.

“Particularly as more Japanese multinationals are looking to the global network agencies to help them grow both in and outside of Japan, Aki Kubo is the ideal leader who brings together strong Japanese and international experience,” said Ogilvy Asia COO Kent Wertime.

Kubo will join Ogilvy in 2012, reporting to Wertime. He will oversee such firms as Ogilvy & Mather Advertising, OgilvyOne, Neo, OgilvyAction, Ogilvy PR and Redworks.

“With more clients looking for pervasive creative business solutions, Aki Kubo brings to Ogilvy in Japan a strong and instinctive knowledge of client needs,” said Ogilvy Asia CEO Paul Heath. “He is part of our ongoing management appointments to strengthen Ogilvy’s leadership position across Asia.”