Dentsu Cuts 3,400 Jobs, Faces Continuing Negative Growth

What’s Happening at Dentsu?

Dentsu Group, one of the world’s largest advertising and marketing networks, is cutting 8% of its global workforce—around 3,400 employees—as it initiates a major international restructuring aimed at reversing declining performance outside of Japan.

• The move was disclosed during the company’s latest H1 2025 earnings report, where Dentsu reported a 0.2% year-over-year decline in organic revenue.
• In contrast, Dentsu’s Japan business posted strong results, with 5.3% organic revenue growth and record-high net revenue and operating profit.
• The layoffs will primarily target corporate and back-office roles in Dentsu’s international offices as the company aims to streamline operations and focus on profitability.

Why It Matters

The cuts represent one of the largest recent headcount reductions in the global advertising sector, as Dentsu navigates:

• Client losses
• Reduced ad spending
• Macroeconomic uncertainty, particularly in its customer experience management and creative services unit

These challenges have weighed heavily on international performance, despite resilience in Japan.

“Our Japan business achieved record-high net revenue… However, our international business continues to face negative growth across all regions,” said Hiroshi Igarashi, Dentsu president and global CEO.

Dentsu’s Presence in Canada — and Who Was Affected

Dentsu has a significant footprint in Canada, with offices in Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver.

Last August, at least 50 jobs were axed at Dentsu’s Merkle as brands mothballed major projects.

While Dentsu has not formally confirmed Canadian layoffs, we are already hearing from Canadian employees who are being let go or pressured into unwanted role changes.

Your Severance Rights as a Dentsu Employee in Canada

If you’re let go at Dentsu — without cause, for cause, or as part of a broader restructuring — you may be owed up to 24 months’ pay as severance. This amount includes:

• Salary
• Bonuses or commissions
• RSUs, ESPPs, and stock awards
• Pension and benefits contributions
• Vacation pay and allowances

What to Do If Dentsu Cuts Affect You

Whether you’ve already been let go or suspect it’s coming soon, here’s what to do right now:

1. Do not sign anything without legal advice — severance packages in Canada are often inadequate.
2. Collect documents, including your employment contract, offer letters, termination notices, text messages, and internal emails.
3. Use our FREE Severance Pay Calculator to estimate what you’re actually owed.
4. Talk to Samfiru Tumarkin LLP employment lawyer who understands the tech sector.

Protect Your Career — Before It’s Too Late

At Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, we’ve helped over 50,000 Canadians — including Dentsu employees and staff at other major global companies operating in Canada — recover tens of millions of dollars since 2007.

Our nationally recognized employment lawyers across Canada successfully challenge unfair terminations and negotiate stronger severance packages — often over a short period of time.

📞 Call us today at 1-855-821-5900 or request a consultation online.

Disclaimer: The materials above are provided as general information about the rights of non-unionized employees in Canada. It is not specific to any one company and SHOULD NOT be read as suggesting any improper conduct on the part of any specific employer, or a relationship between Samfiru Tumarkin LLP and a specific employer.