She Understood Social Presence Before Social Media
2026-09-02
She Understood Social Presence Before Social Media
When Fumiko Motoya was asked to run APA’s hotel division, she had no experience managing hotels.
But perhaps that was her advantage.
Instead of thinking like a traditional hotel executive, she thought like a salesperson. She understood that having a good product was not enough. People had to know who you were and remember you.
When she became president of APA Hotel in 1994, there was no Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or X. The term “personal branding” was hardly part of everyday business vocabulary.
Yet Motoya understood social presence before social media existed.
She wore distinctive hats, appeared in advertisements, and boldly declared, “I am the president.”
Some people thought she was too flashy. Some laughed at her advertisements.
But everyone remembered her.
More importantly, they remembered APA.
Today, APA Group has grown into a network of 1,148 hotels and more than 148,000 rooms. Her husband, founder Toshio Motoya, developed the business and real estate strategy, while Fumiko became its unforgettable public face.
Decades before CEOs tried to become influencers, Fumiko Motoya understood a simple marketing truth:
People remember people better than they remember companies.
Disclaimer: I use AI as a tool to help create images and proofread my writing. However, the ideas, opinions, experiences, and messages in my posts are my own. AI does not generate my posts for me. It simply helps me present my own words and ideas more clearly.
Kenichi Uchikura
Founder & CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc. (PSPINC)
Uchikura & Co., LLC.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
I was born and raised in Japan and have spent most of my adult life in the United States. Through this blog, I share Japanese culture, language, expressions, and wisdom. My goal is not to say one culture is better, but to explore different perspectives and what we can learn from them.
Your comments are always welcome.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..
Kenichi Uchikura
Founder & CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc. (PSPINC)
Uchikura & Co., LLC.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..
ABOUT THIS BLOG
I was born and raised in Japan and have spent most of my adult life in the United States. Through this blog, I share Japanese culture, language, expressions, and wisdom. My goal is not to say one culture is better, but to explore different perspectives and what we can learn from them.
Your comments are always welcome.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..