Evolving the Narrative: Integrating Meaning and Connection with Profit and Scientific Challenges

TOKYO – On May 16, 2025, dataSpring held its annual Global Meeting, bringing together team members from across the globe to align on strategic goals and set the tone for the fiscal year ahead. This year’s meeting marked a pivotal moment, as the company unveiled a refreshed direction centered around deeper purpose, stronger connections, and sustainable innovation.

Last fiscal year was guided by a "Profit-Focus + Scientific Challenges" mindset. Key efforts included reinforcing business foundations, pivoting online panel sales, and cultivating a unified company culture. Teams also spent time addressing immediate challenges while exploring ways to make work more enjoyable and effective.

With those foundations now in place, dataSpring is entering a new phase. The company’s focus for Fiscal Year 2025 is "Ask Why + Make Connections"—a theme designed to elevate the organization from reactive problem-solving to strategic, purpose-driven growth.

Start with Why

A key learning from the past year is the importance of understanding the purpose behind decisions and actions. While the company has consistently demonstrated strength in identifying problems and implementing solutions, starting the conversation with why—why a problem matters, why it needs to be addressed—unlocks greater clarity and direction.

Beginning with “why” helps avoid unnecessary detours, conserves energy, and surfaces the most effective approaches to challenges. This principle will guide not only business decisions but also internal collaboration and planning.

From Transactions to Meaningful Connections

The company is also shifting away from a transactional approach to a relationship-first model. In an era where AI and marketplaces are efficient at handling transactions, dataSpring’s strength lies in its ability to build genuine connections—with colleagues, clients, and partners.

Fostering these real connections allows the organization to better anticipate needs and deliver tailored, human-centered solutions. By treating client relationships with the same care and respect as internal ones, dataSpring aims to create a clear point of differentiation in the industry.

Looking Ahead: A New Vision in the Works

While the current mission remains “to connect brands with targeted consumers through our leading technology, thereby cultivating real relationships between products and people,” dataSpring recognizes the need for a refreshed vision that better supports strategic growth and internal alignment.

The new vision, currently in development, will help steer the company as it makes meaningful connections, pursues thoughtful experimentation, asks the right questions, and maintains a focus on profitability.


Leadership Update: Takuya Okayama Appointed as VP of Operations

To support this new direction, dataSpring is pleased to announce the appointment of Takuya Okayama as Vice President of Operations. With deep experience in operational leadership and team development, Okayama is well-positioned to help scale initiatives across regions and ensure operational excellence as the company moves forward.

About dataSpring

dataSpring is a technology-led market research company that connects brands with consumers across Asia and beyond. With a proprietary online panel network and advanced research tools, dataSpring delivers agile, insightful, and human-centered solutions that drive decision-making and foster real relationships.