Tokyo 2020 Ceremonies & Torch Relay – RFP
Challenge
After delivering the ceremonies and torch relay for the 2016 Summer Olympics, Filmmaster Events sought to compete for the 2020 Summer Olympics ceremonies and torch relay. Despite its global reputation, the company faced a major obstacle: entering Japan’s highly complex event production and procurement landscape without an established local partner.
Our Task
Akuntsu identified and facilitated strategic partnerships between Filmmaster and key Japanese stakeholders, helping build the trust, cultural alignment, and collaborative structure required for both bids. We supported cross-cultural communication, negotiations, and proposal coordination throughout the RFP process.
Serge Labelle and Yuko Nakamura have been key facilitators in our relationship with our Japanese partners to participate in the Olympic and Paralympic tenders for the Ceremonies and Torch Relay. Not only that they managed to decipher and lead two different business culture but managed successfully to get things done between the Tokyo Olympics Organising Committee, two of the main marketing agencies in Japan and our company. They were the essential cement between the bricks. I strongly recommend them and looking to continue our collaboration in the future.
Andrea Varnier
Chief Executive Officer at Milano Cortina 2026
The gaps don't close themselves
Akuntsu supports Japan–West live entertainment, sports, and cultural productions with bilingual operations, cultural fluency, and the infrastructure to keep everything moving.
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