ABOUT US
Based in the heart of Tokyo, 3Waves was founded with a few simple ideas in mind:
- Communication is key. With a bilingual and bicultural team we pride ourselves on smoothly navigating our clients through the potentially hectic set-up stages all the way through to the clear and concise presentation of results.
- Stepping outside the research facility is often necessary to obtain the deepest insight. Although we are well versed when it comes to traditional methodologies, we also like to employ some more creative approaches to dig that little bit deeper.
- 'Open-mindedness' and 'Flexibility' are two ideas we hold sacred. We understand the necessity to keep global methodologies consistent, while at the same time providing considered recommendations on localization.
SAM HEINRICH
Research Director | e-mail
Landing in Japan for the first time in 1999 Sam knew this place was different and has been researching it in one form or another ever since. With a degree in International Business and Japanese from the Queensland University of Technology, Sam originally found himself working as a trade consultant assisting multinational companies with market entry advice.
Realizing that market entry was only the beginning and quickly the end for many, Sam soon turned his sights to consumer research and has spent the rest of his time either running focus groups, in-home interviews, or accompanied shopping trips trying to understand what makes Japanese consumers tick.
Experienced handling both qualitative and quantitative methodologies Sam has helped many international clients in a range of industries including gaming, mobile phones, luxury goods, FMCG, IT, and travel. When not sitting behind the one-way mirror Sam likes to spend his time outdoors skiing, playing tennis, or enjoying a few of the tasty Japanese beers with friends.
JEFFREY BROUSE
Research Director | e-mail
When meeting strangers on the streets of Tokyo for the first time, foreigners are often asked, "Why did you come to Japan?"
Jeff has plenty of reasons.
He holds a degree in Social Science and East Asian Studies from Harvard where he became interested in Japanese economics, politics, society and language. Still not enough bookwork, he went on to pursue graduate studies at the University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies. But he also has a long history and strong family connections to Japan as well. After first visiting in 1997 and several times thereafter, he moved to Tokyo permanently in 2006.
Before working as a market researcher in Tokyo, he performed strategy consulting and qualitative research for Navstar Advisors in Boston. He has undertaken studies in a broad range of sectors including financial services, FMCG, cosmetics and luxury goods.
In his spare time, you'll find Jeff reading up on the latest cultural trends in Japan and abroad. If not that, he enjoys playing baseball and exploring Tokyo's hidden neighborhoods.
NAOMI KAKIMOTO
Project Coordinator
Naomi is our Project Coordinator, but that title does little to describe how vital she is to making 3Waves' projects run without a hitch. If she's not poring over screeners to select the very best respondents then she's doing one of a million other little things that ensure clients are well-prepared for projects when they arrive.
A native of Hiroshima, Naomi has lived in Sydney and Vietnam in addition to Tokyo. She studied Business and International Relations in university and worked in the airline and hospitality industries as well as a research think tank before finding her way to 3Waves Japan.
Naomi enjoys spending her free time out and about in nature. Oh, and we mustn't forget to mention that she has a real passion and talent for aromatherapy and has been actively practicing it for several years.
SALLY LEGG
Project Coordinator
Sally has been in Japan for over 8 years and serves as our Project Coordinator, ensuring that research projects are set up and run smoothly and efficiently. She has a particular affinity for studies related to food & beverage, fashion and health & beauty.
Before settling down in Tokyo, Sally graduated from the Northumbria University and left her native Newcastle to travel around Asia and Australia. She's backpacked in India, Thailand, Cambodia, Bali and Hong Kong and even strayed off the beaten path in Laos for a couple months. When she's not managing the minutiae of focus groups or accompanied shopping trips, she's busy indulging her numerous and varied pastimes: horseback riding, skiing, tennis, dancing and fine cuisine to name only a few.
HENRY ANDERSEN
Cultural & Marketing Insights Advisor
Henry serves as 3Waves' Cultural & Marketing Insights Advisor and also is Associate Professor of Marketing and Creative Leadership at the Graduate School of Business at Nihon University. Currently he is researching the role and potential of consumer ideagroups in new product development. He also conducts ongoing research in cross-cultural teamwork, creative problem-solving approaches, global human values and lifestyles, and wisdom development.
Henry has also had an extensive international career in industry, serving as a marketing and planning executive for companies like Mitsubishi, Columbia Pictures, Scott Paper and Stanley Electric, while based in the US, Europe, Latin America and Asia. He also worked as a marketing innovation consultant to companies like Coca-Cola, Unilever, Nestle, IBM and several Mitsubishi companies. His work in innovation for Mitsubishi has been featured in the international business press including the Financial Times.
Henry has a BA in Japanese from Harvard University, an MS in journalism from Columbia University and an MBA from INSEAD in France. He also completed postgraduate research in sociology at the University of Tokyo.
MASATO SHIOTANI
Marketing Insights Advisor
Masato has over 30 years experience in marketing and has held senior level positions with some of the world's largest companies including Unilever, Buena Vista, and Warner. After graduating from Japan's Gakushuin University in 1975, Masato held a number of positions in marketing before moving onto Unilever. Here he was brand manager of the shampoo Timotei and was instrumental in bringing it to the No. 1 position in the Japanese shampoo market. Subsequently, he held senior level marketing positions at Phillip Morris Japan, Avia Japan, and United Brands (Chiquita) before turning his sights to the entertainment industry.
Masato served as Executive Director of Buena Vista and then became Managing Director of Warner Vision Japan, a division of AOL / Time Warner. In his time at Warner, Masato led the introduction of DVDs into the Japanese music video market and helped increase sales for the company 8 fold during his time as MD. Masato brings a wealth of experience to 3Waves Japan and his deep insight across a broad range of industries is highly valued by many of our clients. Besides being deeply involved in work with 3Waves, Masato also has his own consultancy business specializing in advice on market entry, market analysis, and joint-venture introductions. www.sigma-international.net
In his free time Masato likes going skiing with his family or hanging out in his custom built home theatre listening to the Eagles, Led Zeppelin, and many other classics.