Mike Sunda is a multidisciplinary creative and strategist based in Tokyo since 2013. He is the co-founder of PUSH Japan (established January, 2020) — a 10-person independent creative studio specialising in culturally resonant work ranging from branded content to music videos — and was awarded “Entrepreneur of the Year” by the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan in 2023. He has led Japan-market strategy and creative for global brands and institutions ranging from Amazon and Nike to Manchester City FC and Uniqlo, as well as directing acclaimed music videos and activations.
Mike holds an undergraduate degree in Japanese from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London, and a master’s degree in Japanese / cultural studies from Sophia University (Tokyo). He has written extensively about Japanese society and culture for global publications including the BBC and The Japan Times, and spent his formative years in Japan working as a music journalist, documenting Tokyo’s electronic music scene for the likes of Resident Advisor, Boiler Room and Red Bull Music Academy.
Selected Clients:
Adidas, Amazon, Apple, Beats by Dre, Casetify, Dropbox, Google, Harley Davidson, Human Made, Mitsubishi, Nike, Nowness, Peninsula Hotels, PlayStation, Red Bull, Schick, Shu Uemura, Sony Music, Spotify, Uniqlo, Worldcoin
Industry / Speaker Engagements / Misc Awards:
MTV VMA “Best Trending Video” Winner for “Megan Thee Stallion — Mamushi” as Executive Producer (2024)
AICP Post Awards — Juror (2024)
Campaign Asia — Indepedent Agency of the Year, shortlist (2023)
BCCJ Entrepreneur of the Year (2023)
NFT NYC — Speaker (2022)
Non-Fungible Conference, Lisbon — Speaker (2022)
Ciclope Asia — Juror (2022)
MAD STARS — Speaker, Juror and Lecturer (2022)
MAD STARS — Speaker, Juror (2019)
Spikes Asia — Speaker (2019)
TUFS Sound & Modernity Conference — Speaker (2018)
RBMA Radio — “Scenery, Tokyo” Host (2016-2017)
Selected Publications:
BBC, Boiler Room, DJ Mag, DU Books, Resident Advisor, The Japan Times, Too Much, Vice
Mike holds an undergraduate degree in Japanese from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London, and a master’s degree in Japanese / cultural studies from Sophia University (Tokyo). He has written extensively about Japanese society and culture for global publications including the BBC and The Japan Times, and spent his formative years in Japan working as a music journalist, documenting Tokyo’s electronic music scene for the likes of Resident Advisor, Boiler Room and Red Bull Music Academy.
Selected Clients:
Adidas, Amazon, Apple, Beats by Dre, Casetify, Dropbox, Google, Harley Davidson, Human Made, Mitsubishi, Nike, Nowness, Peninsula Hotels, PlayStation, Red Bull, Schick, Shu Uemura, Sony Music, Spotify, Uniqlo, Worldcoin
Industry / Speaker Engagements / Misc Awards:
MTV VMA “Best Trending Video” Winner for “Megan Thee Stallion — Mamushi” as Executive Producer (2024)
AICP Post Awards — Juror (2024)
Campaign Asia — Indepedent Agency of the Year, shortlist (2023)
BCCJ Entrepreneur of the Year (2023)
NFT NYC — Speaker (2022)
Non-Fungible Conference, Lisbon — Speaker (2022)
Ciclope Asia — Juror (2022)
MAD STARS — Speaker, Juror and Lecturer (2022)
MAD STARS — Speaker, Juror (2019)
Spikes Asia — Speaker (2019)
TUFS Sound & Modernity Conference — Speaker (2018)
RBMA Radio — “Scenery, Tokyo” Host (2016-2017)
Selected Publications:
BBC, Boiler Room, DJ Mag, DU Books, Resident Advisor, The Japan Times, Too Much, Vice