Description

Masato Sezawa is an Amsterdam-based Creative Director with 8+ years’ experience crafting purpose-driven, high-impact content across Europe and Japan - driving concept-to-execution storytelling across brand, digital, and product platforms.

With a proven track record in leading creative teams and embedding AI into content workflows. Directed award-nominated sustainability documentaries, partnered with global brands (e.g. Patagonia, Goldwin(The North Face), EY, Hitachi, etc.), and built scalable storytelling strategies across video, copy, and design.

Strong skills - sustainability storytelling, community building, and multi-platform content management. Growing engaged audiences across Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn for purpose-driven media. Directed award-winning documentary content reaching 4M+ viewers across 160+ countries, and built social media systems that delivered 300%+ growth in organic reach. Passionate about reshaping brand narratives with smart, human-centred content innovation.

Languages

English
Native or bilingual
Japanese
Native or bilingual

Workplace preferences

Can work on-site

Amsterdam (up to 50km)

Harch Inc.
Creative Director
FILM AND AV
September 2021 - Today (4 years and 9 months)
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Creative Direction
Led 3-person creative team and coached field crew of up to 7; structured feedback loops and editorial reviews.
Embedded AI (Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, Whisper, etc.) into editing and scripting workflows; reduced post-production time by 90%.
Launched World Report, a short video series on global sustainability, designing its full-stack workflow (video-shooting coaching, SEO, script guidance, PDCA optimisation).
Orchestrated B2B brand content & activations with enterprises and governmental partners between the Netherlands and Japan.
Content Production & Distribution:
Created and distributed award-winning documentary "The Repair Cafe" (2024) reaching 4+ millions viewers globally.
Secured partnerships with major brands, academia, and communities through strategic content positioning. e.g. Patagonia, Bever, Goldwin(The North Face), EY Netherlands, Hitachi, University of Amsterdam, The Municipality of Amsterdam, etc.
Led cross-functional collaboration with enterprises and governmental partners across 5+ countries, including the Netherlands, by negotiating and establishing an IP business with the Dutch agency.
Implemented AI-enhanced content workflows, reducing production time by 90% while maintaining quality and minimising environmental impact.

Social Media Management & Community Engagement:
Managed Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn channels for IDEAS FOR GOOD (45k+ followers, 80k PV/month) and Circular Economy Hub (60k PV/month) over 5+ years.
Handled day-to-day community management: content scheduling, comment responses, audience engagement, and social listening across all platforms.
Designed and executed Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts strategies using PDCA cycles, achieving 300%+ growth in organic impressions and 200%+ increase in click-through rates.
Optimised content formats through A/B testing, achieving up to 40,000 organic views per video and 180% improvement in average session duration.
Content marketing Video production Video editing Adobe Creative Suite SEO
Honda Tsushin Kogyo Ltd. (Acquired by MinebeaMitsumi Inc.)
Global Marketing Lead
AUTOMOBILE
April 2019 - July 2021 (2 years and 3 months)
Tokyo, Japan
Spearheaded digital marketing strategy for Online Exhibition Project, winning the Company Annual Award (2021).
Managed end-to-end digital creative production and social media strategy.
Collaborated with international teams (US, UK, France, Taiwan) to expand B2B market reach.
Developed data-driven approaches to automotive industry marketing and lead generation.
Social media Content marketing Marketing Adobe Creative Suite SEO
Crossing Borders
Public Relations Intern
ENVIRONMENTAL
July 2017 - September 2017 (2 months)
Copenhagen, Denmark
Produced sustainability and diversity-focused video content for digital platforms.
Enhanced cross-cultural messaging and supported event-based marketing campaigns.
Gained foundational experience in content production and social media strategy.
Content marketing Social media Video production Adobe Creative Suite Communication