On the same day that Dentsu Group announced its CEO succession effective April 1, the firm reported a slight net revenue decline (0.3%) for full year 2025 with organic revenue growth of 0.5%.  

The outlook for 2026: flat to 1% growth. That includes a forecasted gain of 2% to 3% for the home market, a 2% decline in the Americas and 1% decline in both Europe-Middle East-Africa and Asia Pacific.  

The company added that it expects no more than 1% growth annually for the foreseeable future as it puts together a revised strategy—to be revealed in the next few months—to accelerate growth.  

In 2025, Japan was the only growth market, posting a full-year gain of 6.2%. All other regions were down including the Americas, which posted a 6.2% organic revenue decline for the year. 

The company confirmed it recorded a goodwill impairment loss of roughly $2 billion for the fourth quarter of 2025, resulting in a record annual loss for the firm. No dividend payments will be made for 2025 or 2026. 

Company shares were roughly flat on the news probably given the company’s ongoing efforts to turn things around including the management overhaul. In addition to replacing the CEO, Dentsu said it was also altering its “One Dentsu” strategy—as some analysts had urged—and is giving regional leaders more autonomy in running their operations going forward. 

The firm also said it would continue to pursue partnerships and possible sales of international operations despite the lack of interest so far on the part of potential buyers.  

As other holding companies have done, Dentsu has made efforts to streamline its operations. It noted that in the last couple of years it has reduced the number of subsidiaries from 1,000 to 500 entities largely through restructuring tactics. Last year it laid off 2,100 staffers out of a planned 3,400 reduction in workforce.  

Media remains an important discipline for the company—it comprises 50% of the company’s international business net revenue. It didn’t provide a specific growth number but said media performance was “solid” with “positive” organic growth.  

The company’s incoming CEO Takeshi Sano issued a statement:  

“Amid rapid shifts in our business and competitive environment, we continue to thoughtfully evolve our leadership approach and management practices to support the pace of our transformation and strengthen execution, all while maximizing our contribution to client growth. Dentsu will continue to sharpen the distinctive value that sets us apart and position ourselves as a true growth partner, supporting clients consistently from strategy through to execution. By creating momentum for our clients, partners, people, and society, we will reinforce trust with stakeholders and steadily advance the sustainable enhancement of our corporate value.”