About Core Group One
Philosophy
Core Group One’s organizational philosophy is “big brains, small machine.” Our approach is to hire individuals skilled in multiple areas. It is a zero-hierarchy model designed for direct accountability, speed and efficiency. Everyone is accountable to each other and everyone is accountable to our clients and business partners. At Core Group One, a core team works across disciplines, and collaborates with other art directors, designers, copywriters, production artists, account managers and video directors in Hawai‘i and on the U.S. continent. Having a flexible and adaptive talent pool is essential to resonating with ever-changing customer lifestyles and preferences. This set-up brings diversity, different points of view, age and gender-specific sensibilities and unique skills to our work, along with a more efficient and value-added cost structure for clients.
+ Creativity is a life philosophy and part of our business models, not just what we do.
+ We engage in activities that create the future and make the world a better place to live.
+ We are passionate about our culture of creating and exchanging .
+ We partner with the best in class and work with the media, production companies, finance and insurance firms and other service providers in the spirit of partnership.
+ We practice kaizen – continually learning and growing.
BACKGROUND
Locally owned and operated in Honolulu, Hawai‘i, Core Group One, Inc. was established in July 2005 by Emi Anamizu and Jim Horiuchi to acquire Ogilvy & Mather Hawaii, Inc. Wanting to divest itself of the advertising business in Hawai‘i, WPP Group (the London based parent company of Ogilvy & Mather) offered Emi and Jim the opportunity to purchase the company. Emi was the CEO and Jim was Creative Director at Ogilvy & Mather before the transition. Core Group One opened its doors on September 1, 2005. In January 2013, Hendrix Miyasaki Shin joined Core Group One, bringing together best practices in branding strategy , creative services, account management, new/social and traditional media and marketing.
+ Creative trust drives us. Our clients give us tremendous space and encouragement to create marketing and business solutions that are leading edge. This trust comes from delivering results, in addition to creativity and imagination.
+ A balanced and diverse portfolio of clients affords Core Group One best practices across industries and protects us against catastrophic events within a single category.
+ Core Group One community initiatives include hiChinatown.com and GenkiWorld.com.
PRINCIPALS
Emi Anamizu
President and CEO
Emi worked in San Francisco and Los Angeles before moving back to Hawai‘i for positions with Martin & Associates Advertising and Ogilvy & Mather Hawaii. She has over 25 years of business and strategic marketing experience. She has a Master’s degrees from USC Annenberg School of Communication and USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology.
Leah Shigemura
Vice President and Director
Leah’s leadership, financial background, IT skills, client service experience and innate creativity is a rare combination, and integral to the company. She has a masters in accounting from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and worked at a large public accounting firm prior to joining Core Group One. She plays tennis to hone her speed and agility.
Grant Miyasaki
Creative Director
Grant blends creative excellence with strategic thinking. He brings abstract concepts to life with compelling visuals, audience insights, innovative thinking and a focus on results. Grant’s leadership and keen sense of beauty inspires all. He was previously at Ogilvy & Mather Hawaii, Peck Sims Mueller and a partner with HMS Advertising. Grant has received numerous awards and honors, including Ad Man of the Year in 2006.
Melissa Toyofuku
Media DIrector
Melissa has over 35 years of media and data reporting experience. She oversees all aspects of media, ensuring that clients’ budgets align with business and messaging objectives, as well as deliver measurable impact. She works closely with the creative team to assure campaigns are fully integrated. Melissa’s passion is staying on top of the media landscape, often opening the Hawaii market to new platforms. She has attended every CES conference (“the most powerful tech event in the world”) since 2015.
Core Group One, Inc.
Phone: (808) 440-9421
Email: emi.anamizu@coregroupone.com