A Business Consultant with an Impact on Culture
Both as an independent agent and consultant, and under the umbrella of Matrix Advertising Associates Inc., Tomio Nagaoka has uniquely positioned himself as an authority on cross-cultural business negotiation, administration, and alliance formation. His unusual acumen in finding and bringing new, top-quality brands to the market has established a firm reputation on three continents, which he uses to serve the advantage of each new client.
Consultancy
Recent Consulting Highlights:
Benjamin Steakhouse
Benjamin Steakhouse has established itself as one of New York City’s premier steakhouses since its opening in 2006. Benjamin Restaurant Group always had eyes on expanding their flagship concept overseas, and that was when the owners approached Nagaoka, a royal regular at the restaurant. After a few years of searching for a perfect partner, Benjamin Steakhouse made a successful expansion to Japan. They now have two operating locations in Tokyo and Kyoto, with more to come.
IONIC Corporation
After developing a close working relationship with Mr. Nishikawa during the Amino Vital project, Nagaoka and Matrix were asked to be involved in the consulting of IONIC Corporation’s global marketing and business development. IONIC has successfully launched its toothbrush in the US market and continues to grow its product line and expand under supervision from Nagaoka and Matrix.
Zabar’s
The internationally renowned, 85-year old Jewish gourmet store is located in Manhattan. After a series of long negotiations with the Zabar family, Nagaoka was the first person to bring their famous Zabar’s coffee outside of NY, which had only been available for exclusive in-store purchase. Japan is still the only other place where Zabar’s coffee can be found outside of their flagship store.
KUNCHI Group
Kunchi Group is one of the largest distributors of cosmetic and personal care products in China. In 2018, Nagaoka was named as a special advisor in all phases of business and marketing developments. He assembled beauty industry experts in order to launch Kunchi’s M&A project in both the US and Europe. Nagaoka and his team developed good relationships with potential targets, providing strategy and solutions to KUNCHI.
Mid 90’s – 2000
AMINO VITAL (Sports Supplement)
In 2003, the Ajinomoto Co., Inc. of Japan embarked on one of the largest capital expenditures (approx. $100 million) in its history in bringing its top brand in sports supplements, Amino Vital, to the US market. Under the auspices of the head of the project, Mr. Nishikawa, Nagaoka partnered with the company to manage all aspects of the enterprise from hiring and training, locating manufacturers and retailers, development, sales, branding, advertising, and facilitating over 200 sports events. The brand became the go-to supplement for many major league sports organizations, including the Yankees, Seattle Mariners, the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and over 150 top players in the PGA.
AWAKE (Luxury Natural Cosmetics)
Alongside his service as president of Matrix Advertising Associates inc., he became CEO of Awake International Inc., a joint venture with Kosé Corporation, a leading Japanese cosmetics maker. In bringing this Luxury Japanese brand to the US, Nagaoka single-handedly took the process from drawing up business plans to acting as hiring, marketing, and research director. His success in the venture’s first year alone is indicated by the products finding a home in such high-profile venues as Henri Bendel, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, and Sephora in the US, as well as Harrods in the U.K. and Galeries Lafayette in France. In all, 25 new locations and an over $ 10 million spike in wholesale valuation were achieved within three years from a scratch.
Kosé Corporation
Nagaoka’s consultancy extended to contracts and management during the boom in artist-centered cosmetic brands. Kosé Corporation asked him to bring American brands such as LORAC, Vincent Longo and others to introduce them to the Japanese market, as well as producing and providing integral branding for Kosé’s high-end cosmetic line, AWAKE.
In 2012, he would consult with the firm again on their top-of-the-line “Decorte” brand. Contracting the talents of renowned Dutch designer Marcel Wanders, he created and produced a successful new brand for the company, AQMW.
Umami Information Center
Today the term umami is widely known – even to fast food lovers. But knowledge of this distinguishing flavor would have never circulated without Nagaoka’s involvement with the non-profit Umami Information Center, which grew from his work with Japan’s largest food company, Ajinomoto. He also introduced new flavors to Japanese palates by developing licensing agreements between several high-caliber US food purveyors and Japanese retailers.
MarieBelle Chocolate
The luxury chocolate brand has been beloved in New York and overseas, and is now a favorite in Japan, through Nagaoka consultancy. In April 2012, the company was able to open a flagship location in Kyoto, the cradle of market infusion.
Hitachi America Ltd.
Nagaoka continued on as a lead advisor for Hitachi’s corporate communications, designing an award-winning CSR advertising program. The program received a reputable Business Week Reader’s Choice award for developing good local community relations in the US.
Endo Lighting Inc.
Supplied strategic planning to Endo Lighting Inc., a leader in the field of LED lighting in Japan, before their entry to the US LED market.
Zero Halliburton
Provided initial marketing/branding strategy and was involved in the development of a flagship store in New York City.
Hitachi Technology Fair 90
Dentsu asked Nagaoka to produce a ground-braking showcase,Hitachi Technology Fair 90, featuring unreleased advanced technologies for their major client, Hitachi Ltd., New York City. This highly successfully event brought Matrix diverse Japanese clients into the US market. Also, He became a consultant to Dentsu New Your Inc. for Hitachi related business.