Hakuhodo DY ONE Certified as “Diamond,” the Highest-Ranking Grade in the SmartNews Ads Partner Program

Tokyo, May 22, 2026 – Hakuhodo DY ONE Inc. is proud to announce its certification as “Diamond,” the highest-ranking grade in the SmartNews Ads Partner Program, at SmartNews Ads Conference 2026 organized by SmartNews, Inc. We are also pleased to announce that the company was additionally selected as the Best Branding Partner, in recognition of the largest volume of branding ads placed for the year as a partner company.

The SmartNews Ads Partner Program is designed to certify SmartNews Ad Partners from among those sales agencies that deal in SmartNews advertising products and services and maintain a direct business relationship with SmartNews. In 2024, SmartNews introduced a partner ranking system to promote its products and services, recognizing those companies that proactively use SmartNews Ads throughout the year.

This year, Hakuhodo DY ONE was certified as “Diamond,” the highest grade in the partner ranking system in recognition of our substantial contribution to the sales of SmartNews Ads, which made us one of the most important partners in the advertising business of SmartNews.*1 We were also selected as the Best Branding Partner, an award given to the partner company placing the largest volume of branding ads throughout the year.

Hakuhodo DY ONE remains determined to contribute to the further development of SmartNews Ads by proactively leveraging new services offered by SmartNews in collaboration with our group companies and various other partner companies, in order to further support the growth of corporate marketing activities.

*1 Partners are ranked in five categories: Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze.