
Michael Birkin's career path is a remarkable one, marked by a series of impressive achievements that have cemented his reputation as a top executive.
He began his career in the finance industry, working for several years with various companies, including Daiwa Securities Group.
Birkin's experience in the finance industry laid the foundation for his future success as an executive.
He went on to hold leadership positions at several companies, including Daiwa Securities Group and Nomura Securities.
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Michael Birkin's Career
Michael Birkin started his marketing career as CEO of Interbrand, a brand consultancy firm, after working for PriceWaterhouseCoopers and Allied Dunbar.
He led Interbrand from 1987 to 1995, building the company from a small firm to a global multi-location business.
Michael Birkin was instrumental in developing the concept of brand valuation during his time at Interbrand.
After Omnicom Group acquired Interbrand in 1993, Michael joined the holding company and quickly rose through the organization.
He became European managing director of DAS in 1995, followed by DAS International president in 1997, then Worldwide President in 1999.
In 2009, Michael returned to his entrepreneurial roots by founding Red Peak Group, which included Red Peak Branding and Infrared.
Michael took his first client-side role as CMO of Acer, a Taiwanese personal computer company, in 2012.
Under his leadership, Acer shifted its focus from manufacturing to consumer insights-driven product development and marketing.
Michael left his full-time position as CMO of Acer in June 2014 to start kyu, the strategic operating unit of Hakuhodo DY Holdings.
Red Peak Group and RPMC
Michael Birkin made a significant move after leaving Omnicom, acquiring a 70% stake in RPMC. This gave him a majority position in the company.
He then launched Red Peak Group, a global marketing services firm, in February 2010. Red Peak Group comprises RPMC, which became part of the company, and Red Peak Branding.
Birkin initially took on the role of chief strategist at Red Peak Group while also leading the company.
Omnicom and Interbrand

Michael Birkin joined Omnicom Group in 1993, after Interbrand was acquired by Omnicom's Diversified Agency Services (DAS).
Birkin quickly rose up the ranks at Omnicom, becoming European managing director of DAS in 1995, followed by international president of DAS in 1997, and worldwide president of DAS in 1999.
In 2005, Birkin took on the role of president and CEO of Asia Pacific for Omnicom, focusing on helping the company's agencies capitalize on opportunities in the region.
Omnicom
Omnicom was a significant player in the advertising industry, and Birkin's career with the company was marked by rapid ascension through the ranks. He joined Omnicom in December 1993 after Interbrand's acquisition by Diversified Agency Services (DAS).
Birkin's first notable role at Omnicom was European managing director of DAS in 1995, followed by international president of DAS in 1997, and worldwide president of DAS in 1999. He continued to rise through the organization.
In 2005, Birkin took on the role of president and CEO of Asia Pacific for Omnicom, focusing on helping the company's agencies capitalize on opportunities in the region. This move was strategic, as Asia was Omnicom's fastest-growing market at the time.
Birkin's final roles at Omnicom were vice-chairman of Omnicom Group and CEO of Omnicom Asia-Pacific, which he held simultaneously. He stepped down from both roles in 2009.
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Interbrand
Birkin joined Interbrand Group in 1987 as group chief executive, a role he held until 1995.
During his time at Interbrand, he took a leading role in developing the concept of brand valuation and became well known as an expert in the field.
He was a contributor to the book Understanding Brands, published in 1991.
Under the leadership of Murphy and Birkin, Interbrand grew from an international company with 25 employees to a global marketing consultancy.
Kyu and Agency Vision
Michael Birkin's Kyu and Agency Vision focused on creating a new type of intelligence that could learn and adapt at an incredible rate.
This vision was inspired by the concept of Kyu, a Japanese term that roughly translates to "the ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations".
Birkin believed that by harnessing the power of Kyu, his agency could develop innovative solutions to complex problems.
He wanted his agency to be a hub for creative and forward-thinking individuals who could collaborate and push the boundaries of what was thought possible.
By embracing Kyu and Agency Vision, Birkin aimed to create a workplace culture that valued experimentation and learning from failure.
This approach allowed his team to explore unconventional ideas and develop cutting-edge solutions that would change the industry landscape.
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Featuring
Michael Birkin is a seasoned executive with a storied career in marketing and branding.
He began his career as CEO of Interbrand, a brand consultancy he led from 1987 to 1995, where he played a key role in developing the concept of brand valuation.
Michael's tenure at Interbrand was marked by rapid growth, transforming the company from a small firm to a global multi-location business.
After Interbrand was acquired by Omnicom Group in 1993, Michael joined the holding company and quickly rose through the ranks.
He held several leadership positions, including European managing director of DAS, DAS International president, and Worldwide President.
Michael also played a crucial role in building Omnicom's presence in Asia, serving as President and CEO of Omnicom Asia Pacific from 2004 to 2009.
In 2009, he returned to his entrepreneurial roots by founding Red Peak Group, which included a strategic branding and design firm and an events company.
Michael took on his first client-side role as CMO of Acer in 2012, leading the company's shift from manufacturing to consumer insights-driven product development and marketing.
He left Acer in June 2014 to start kyu, the strategic operating unit of Hakuhodo DY Holdings, which he still leads today.
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