Market Intelligence

Culinary market alignment strategist transforming food culture into innovative growth opportunities for global brands in Japan's vibrant culinary scene.

Marc Matsumoto

Your go-to expert if you need to...

Decode Japan’s consumer and retail landscape for informed market entry

Translate retail trends into actionable product and manufacturing strategies

Conduct on-the-ground trend research and competitive retail tracking

Align global food brands with Japanese consumer preferences

Bio

Marc Matsumoto is a content creator and culinary market alignment strategist based in Tokyo, Japan. Working at the intersection of food, media, and marketing, he bridges culinary culture and market intelligence to help brands align their products with local tastes and consumer behaviors. Leveraging his expertise and industry network, he connects Japan with the world through the lens of food, transforming market challenges into opportunities for innovation and growth. Clients include Hakutsuru Sake Brewing, Hikari Miso, Nissin Foods, and a top 5 global confectionary brand. When he’s not developing new opportunities for his clients, Marc publishes the recipe website NoRecipes.com, where he empowers his audience of 1.36M fans to elevate their meals by teaching fundamental cooking techniques.

Experience

F&B Consultant

Aligning products from global brands with local consumer preferences by leveraging food culture, media insights, and market intelligence to drive innovation and growth.

Market Alignment Strategist · 2016–Present

No Recipes

No Recipes is a digital content channel that shares recipes and techniques via food blog and Youtube.

Culinary Creator · 2007–Present

Bento Expo, NHK

NHK World is the English language international arm for Japan's national broadcaster.

On-camera host of the NHK World television series Bento Expo.

Television Host · 2016–Present

Fresh Tastes

Developed, photographed, and wrote up a weekly original recipe for PBS`s food blog Fresh Tastes.

Food Writer · 2011–Present

Lime Company

Worked on a subscription music service aimed to give consumers a great music experience while ensuring rights holders were fairly compensated.

Marketing Director · 2009–Present

Thrive (Loudwater Labs)

Thrive was the first online financial advisory service to assess a user's financial health and provided step-by-step advice to improve it.

Accomplishments:

Chief Marketing Officer · 2006–Present

Instrumental in raising angel and Series A rounds of funding.
Successfully planned and launched product on a shoestring budget
Captured over $100M in assets tracked in 4 weeks.
Lowered SEM CPA from over $20 to under $3.
Acquired by LendingTree

Netflix

Managed 3 customer acquisition channels for the largest online DVD rental company.

Accomplishments:

Senior Marketing Manager · 2001–Present

Increased customer conversion through WOM and remarketing channels by 3x and 4x respectively.
Doubled gift subscription sales for 3 consecutive years, outpacing subscriber growth by over 20%.
Successfully planned and executed customer communications strategies for events ranging from natural disasters to shifts in the company strategy.

Nokia

Managed all aspects of online product marketing for a network infrastructure startup. Reported to the VP of Marketing and worked across all divisions of the company to compile specs and commission collateral.

Accomplishments:

Web Producer · 2001–Present

Built a compelling online presence increasing product awareness within the industry, strengthening the Amber brand.
Successfully promoted Amber’s presence and events for industry trade shows.