DJMAC GK

For over 25 years, I built a career leading some of the world's biggest media and tech brands in Japan—Discovery, YouTube, Disney. I had the titles, the travel, the awards on the wall. Then one day, my daughter, Julie, looked at it all and asked me a simple question: "Gaga... Why do you want to be so famous?" That question was a catalyst. It made me realize my next chapter wasn't about being the person in the spotlight, but about being a "host leader"—the person who steps into the toughest challenges to help others succeed. That's why I founded DJMAC GK. I'm not a traditional consultant who delivers a PowerPoint deck and leaves. I am a "High-Friction Operator." I thrive where the operational and cultural friction is highest—the moments that can make or break a business in Japan. My specialty is acting as the human "airlock" between a global HQ and a local team, absorbing the pressure and translating strategy into a reality that works on the ground. Whether it's navigating a hostile partnership negotiation, providing governance through a corporate crisis, or building a creator ecosystem from scratch, I've learned that success across borders is built on trust, resilience, and radical candor. How I Work: My engagements are built on deep partnership, not transactional advice. My work typically falls into two categories: The Embedded Executive (My 60% Focus): For companies needing sustained leadership, I step in as a long-term (12-36 month) fractional executive—a VP of Global BD, an Interim GM—to build and run your cross-border business. The Catalyst Project (My 40% Focus): For companies looking to build a plan before committing, we start with a focused, 4-6 week strategic project to deliver a "Growth Playbook." This paid, initial phase de-risks the engagement and often serves as the foundation for a longer-term partnership. My core business is focused on Media & Technology, but I dedicate about 20% of my time to purpose-driven work.