Driving Growth,
Crossing Cultures.

International digital marketing and growth, cross-cultural insights and expert network for companies expanding across Europe and East Asia.

50+ clients · 30+ industries · 15+ markets

Patric Sawada, founder of Silkdrive cross-cultural growth marketing agency

Patric Sawada·Founder, 2015·Amsterdam, NL

Services

As a full service cross-cultural growth marketing agency we provide a variety of services, including cross-cultural training, to support our clients in the best possible way.

International Digital Marketing

Full-service international marketing execution, SEO, paid media, social, and performance campaigns across Europe and East Asia.

We plan, run, and optimise campaigns in local languages with local channel expertise, so your brand builds real traction in each market.

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Cross-Cultural Insights

Cultural adaptation, localisation, and training that help your team and campaigns connect authentically in unfamiliar markets.

We go beyond translation to understand how your target audiences think, decide, and buy, then adapt your messaging and campaigns to genuinely connect in each market.

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Growth Marketing

Market entry strategy, growth experimentation, and fractional leadership to turn international expansion into measurable results.

From entry planning and channel testing to embedded advisory alongside your leadership team, structured programmes that move the numbers.

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Training & Coaching

Cross-cultural training, executive coaching, and market entry webinars for teams operating between Europe and Japan.

Eight programmes covering culture, sales, negotiations, 1:1 executive coaching, mixed-team communication, DEI, and market entry webinars in both directions.

Browse Programmes

Explore our service catalogue

Dive into the same focus areas that appear in our navigation to see how each programme supports your international growth plans. Click through to learn more about each service and how we can help you succeed.

International Digital Marketing

International digital marketing services and localisation support for Europe and East Asia.

International Growth Marketing

International growth marketing programmes for scalable expansion across Europe and East Asia.

Market entry planning, experimentation, and measurement built to support long-term growth.

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Cross-Cultural Marketing & Advertising

Cross-cultural marketing localisation and creative adaptation for international campaigns.

Ensure brand stories resonate across cultures with localisation expertise and market insights.

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Cross-Cultural Communication & Training

Cross-cultural training, coaching, and webinars for teams working between Europe and Japan.

East Asia Market Entry

Market entry strategy and support for European companies expanding into Japan, South Korea, and China.

Cultural adaptation, channel selection, and partner connections for successful East Asian market entry.

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Europe Market Entry

Market entry support for Asian companies expanding into the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium.

Regulatory guidance, cultural adaptation, and marketing execution for European market entry.

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Fractional Head of Growth

Part-time strategic marketing leadership for international companies.

Embedded advisory between your leadership team and marketing execution, strategy, auditing, and agency management.

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Clients

We have worked with many different clients in a great variety of industries across Europe and East-Asia.

Exact
Opel
DSM
Nationale-Nederlanden
K.K. Orchard
Ridder
30+
Industries

Our experience spans over 30 different Industries and we are always eager to learn more.

50+
Clients

Silkdrive has worked for more than 50 clients all across Europe and East-Asia.

Patric enables us to exceed the goals of our LinkedIn Ad campaigns. […] extensive knowledge of tooling and data-driven work.
Christian Crauwels
Christian Crauwels
Marketing Coördinator
A nice guy who integrated smoothly in the team, being pro-active and delivering much more than expected. Patric is data-driven […], not doing stuff for nothing, and a strong advisor. […] we made a lot of improvements during this 4 months.
Petra Vunderink
Petra Vunderink
Head of Marketing Communications, Exact
Patric's creative way of thinking is really inspiring and […] results with Linkedin (one of the hardest marketing channels to use out there) are absolutely staggering!
Simran Singh
Simran Singh
Head of Growth, Recruitee

Principles

We have three principles at the core of our business. This is how we deliver value to your business.

Connect

Connect with our network of experts and partners around the world, to establish your brand in any country with ease.

Adapt

Adapt your product, go to market strategy and campaigns to be culturally relevant and enter new markets with success.

Grow

Grow by expanding beyond borders, improving return on investment and achieving sustainable business growth.

Our Story

Our name is inspired by the legendary Silk Road, a symbol of connectivity, cultural exchange and commerce.

Silkdrive aims to channel the spirit of the original Silk Road, transforming it into a digital force that drives sustainable growth, across Europe and East-Asia.

Cross-Cultural Insights

Latest thinking on EU ↔ East Asia growth marketing, cross-cultural strategy, and international expansion.

Cross-Cultural Training for Japan: What Actually Changes Behaviour
May 21, 202614 min read

Cross-Cultural Training for Japan: What Actually Changes Behaviour

The working method behind cross-cultural training for Japan that produces behaviour change, not just awareness. Four features that separate programmes that stick from programmes that fade by month three.

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Japan Webinar Marketing: What the Query Actually Means (and How to Approach Each)
May 18, 20269 min read

Japan Webinar Marketing: What the Query Actually Means (and How to Approach Each)

Japan webinar marketing is three different things to three different buyers: webinars about the Japan market, webinars as a channel to reach Japanese buyers, and Japan-based event-marketing agencies. Honest guide to each, with platforms, tactics, and named providers.

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Cross-Cultural Training for Japan: Providers Compared (2026)
May 17, 202614 min read

Cross-Cultural Training for Japan: Providers Compared (2026)

Honest comparison of cross-cultural training providers for Japan in 2026. Scores Japan Intercultural Consulting, Shinka, ICPA, Inventure, Rudlin, and Silkdrive on seven criteria: trainer depth, dual-direction, customisation, measurement, credentials, format, EU-corridor fit.

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