At a time when digital spending is escalating around the world, CELSUS Inc. recently opened to partner with clients on their recruitment needs in digital media. Specializing in executive search and recruitment for the high tech world of digital media, gaming and private equity funding (PEF), CELSUS is an affiliate of MRINetwork, one of the largest executive search and recruitment organizations in the world. Akira Sawayama is owner and managing director of the firm.
“Mr. Sawayama has extensive experience in executive recruitment and consulting across a wide range of industries and functions,” says John McDonald, president of MRINetwork. “His expertise, coupled with his critical eye for talent ensures that he will be a great asset both to our organization and to his clients and candidates.”
Prior to founding CELSUS, Sawayama was managing partner of Boyden, a multi-national, retained executive search firm. Previously he was a partner at Yahagi Consultants, a leading Japanese strategy consultancy where he advised enterprises in a range of industrial sectors including automotive, consumer electronics, food, pharmaceuticals, chemical, manufacturing, semiconductors, IT and telecommunications. He began his career with Xerox, US where he served as an analyst in the firm’s Information System Group with primary responsibility for market analysis.
“Digital ad spending is a booming market,” says Sawayama. “As more traditional media companies realize the value of online marketing — and newer Internet-savvy businesses come into their own — digital advertising has become an increasingly competitive field. When it comes to gaming — social, mobile, console or PC — the demand for talent is insatiable.”
In addition to the digital media sector, CELSUS also serves the recruitment needs of the private equity fund market, which has seen a huge surge in the competition to hire young financiers. “Fearful of missing the best talent being developed at investment banks,” observes Sawayma, “the giants of private equity, have turned even entry-level workers into a hot commodity.” The competition is made even more intense by the luring away of candidates by high-tech companies.
With his varied background that encompasses sourcing, procurement systems, process flows, cost structure, business mix and corporate culture, Sawayama understands the importance and impact of every hiring decision and makes sure that his clients make the ones that are most beneficial to their organizations.
