February 27, 2001
Former Fuji TV Announcer Akiko Yagi to Star in Fusion's TV Commercial Running
from March
Fusion Communications Corporation has just finished making its first TV commercial,
starring former Fuji Television Network (Fuji TV) announcer Akiko Yagi. This is also the first commercial
in which Ms. Yagi has appeared.
On January 10 Fusion announced an outline of its services to begin on April 1. Fusion
sought a fresh face to appear in its commercial advertising a brand new company, and Ms. Yagi fits the bill
perfectly. It is her first TV commercial appearance; she is immediately recognizable to viewers; her manner
is bright and intelligent; and she possesses an inner strength. It is Fusion's good fortune that Ms. Yagi
agreed to work with the company.
Ms. Yagi was a popular announcer at Fuji TV until she resigned in March 2000 to "recharge
her batteries" for a brief period, after which she became active again, this time as a freelance announcer,
as well as a movie actor. She will no doubt be involved in various activities in the coming months and years.
While Fusion was working with Ms. Yagi to produce the commercial, she told mentioned
how impressed she was with Fusion's efforts to change telecommunications in Japan and noted that she hopes
to be able to cooperate with Fusion in any way possible. She stated, "I want to be the best among the
entertainment personalities promoting the MYLINE Carrier Selection Service for the various carriers."
Fusion is delighted to have such an ally and will be working hard to prepare for the
launch of services in April.
Commercial Facts
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Title: |
Voice version of the service inauguration advertisement
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Broadcast period: |
March 1-21; April 1-21
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Broadcast regions: |
Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Sapporo, Sendai, Hiroshima
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Cast: |
Akiko Yagi
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Staff
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Agency: |
Hakuhodo Inc.
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Production company: |
Holonfilm Inc.
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Creative director: |
Eisaku Munakata
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Planner: |
Kazuhiro Suda
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Chief producer: |
Akihiro Terui
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Art director: |
Shigeyuki Takaoka
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Producer: |
Ken Takaoka
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Director: |
Ichiro Tanida
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Film director: |
Katsuo Hanzawa
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Art: |
Hata Art Inc.
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Stylist: |
Sonya S. Park
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Human Relations & Management: |
Kenjiro Akama, Naomi Kubota
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Music: |
Keita Tsunawaki
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Profile of Akiko Yagi
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Born: |
June 24, 1965
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Blood type: |
O
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Place of birth: |
Kanagawa prefecture
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Education: |
Psychology major, Waseda University
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Interests: |
Golf, movies, the theater
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Special skill: |
Can fall asleep anywhere
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The Story in the Commercial
Akiko Yagi appears in realistic fashion as an announcer and also as a consumer who becomes acquainted with Fusion's
services and whose view of telephone companies undergoes a change as a result. She says, "I thought it was
common sense that the farther you call, the more expensive the charges." She speaks gently in the commercial,
in a manner slightly different from that of her days as an announcer, quietly presenting the issue to viewers.
Ms. Yagi appears only in close-ups in this simple, realistic commercial, without any gimmickry.
Behind the Scenes
Ms. Yagi kept her smile throughout the filming of the commercial. Filming went extremely smoothly, surprising
the staff that this was her first commercial. The director was impressed with the way she tried out a variety
of gestures and expressions during filming. Ms. Yagi also provided the narration for the commercial. See if you
can hear the difference in vocal style between her character's lines and the narration.
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