Many of those esoteric Japanese commercials are no doubt the work of Hakuhodo, Japan's second-largest advertising agency (behind Dentsu). The company represents clients in broadcast and print media and offers other services, including marketing research, advertising production, sales promotion, and public relations. Founded by Hironao Seki in 1895 as an ad agency for educational magazines, Hakuhodo operates from offices in Japan as well as locations in about 20 other countries. Major clients include Japanese beverage maker Suntory, Apple, and automobile manufacturers Nissan, Suzuki and Hitachi. The company is a part of marketing and communications services provider Hakuhodo DY Holdings.