In 2009, Joseph Tame had never run further than the bus stop. So when a friend persuaded him to run the Tokyo Quarter Marathon, he knew he'd need help just to finish. His solution? Strap a newly released iPhone to his head and broadcast the entire run live to the world. With thousands of viewers cheering him on in real-time, quitting wasn't an option.
What started as a personal accountability hack became something much bigger. Over the following years, Joseph's Tokyo Marathon broadcasts grew to attract over 42,000 live viewers and global news coverage, and yes, he even became known as a running Christmas tree along the way. Those early experiments in leveraging technology to tell stories from entirely new angles captured imaginations worldwide. More importantly, they caught the attention of companies who started asking: could you help us tell our stories like this?
Joseph had come to Tokyo after graduating from the University of Sheffield with a degree in Japanese Studies. He arrived with his partner Satoko, initially teaching English over the phone while pursuing his passion for technology and storytelling through a weekend video podcast. Those early experiments in interviewing entrepreneurs and artists, and learning the craft of video production one project at a time, laid the groundwork for what was to come.
In August 2011, responding to growing demand from corporations seeking help reaching global audiences, Joseph and Satoko launched Wild Tame from their spare room. Their first project? Stop-motion videos. When clients asked for photography, they added it. Translation? Can do! Their philosophy was simple: never say no, work hard, and let the work speak for itself.
Word spread. Project by project, the business grew organically, shaped not by a grand master plan, but by client needs and creative problem-solving.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the company pivoted to provide online video production and hybrid event support services, and as a result, continued to grow at a time when others were scaling back.
The changes in business norms and work culture brought about by the pandemic turned out to be a blessing. Today, Wild Tame has evolved into a full-service creative agency with a team of over 30 talented individuals representing more than a dozen nationalities. We partner with some of the world's most recognised brands, including Netflix, Google, Mitsubishi and the world’s top pharmaceutical companies, helping them connect with audiences in Japan and beyond.
Our core services have expanded dramatically since those early spare-room days. Cinematic videography sits at the heart of what we do; crafting visually stunning films that capture the essence of a brand and move audiences emotionally. We combine this with comprehensive branding services, helping companies discover and articulate their unique stories, and social media management that ensures those stories reach the right people at the right time. Whether it's a product launch film, a complete brand refresh, or an ongoing content strategy, we approach every project with the same curiosity and commitment that defined our very first client work.
The marathon taught Joseph that there are no shortcuts, just putting one foot in front of the other and not giving up. That same spirit runs through everything we do at Wild Tame: enjoying the journey, working through the challenges, and finding a way through no matter what. We see ourselves as being on the same team as our clients from the very start, working together to discover, distill, and share their stories with the world.
As our company has grown, so too has our ability to give back. We're proud to support organizations like Mirai no Mori, an NPO that provides life-changing outdoor experiences for children from care homes across Japan. Being able to use our skills to support causes we believe in is one of the most rewarding parts of this journey, and something we're committed to continuing as we grow.
From a single iPhone strapped to a forehead to a thriving international agency, Wild Tame has always been about one thing: the power of a well-told story. We can't wait to help you tell yours.
