Kanako Inomata has redefined what marketing can achieve within a traditionally supply-led agricultural industry. As Head of Marketing APAC at Zespri, she transformed marketing from a trade-support function into a strategic growth driver across eight markets. By repositioning Zespri from a fruit supplier to a natural nutrition brand, she shifted success metrics from shipment volumes to consumer behaviour change.

Kanako introduced scalable platforms including the Nutrition Reform Project in Japan and the Jam-Packed nutrition strategy in rest of APAC, combining purpose-led health impact with product superiority. Her work also reimagined creativity as a tool for behavioural change, exemplified by Bento Box 2.0, which turned a cultural ritual into a nationwide nutrition movement. The result: record sales growth, stronger brand premium, and global recognition including the Grand Prix at Spikes Asia 2026 for Creative Strategy.