Ogilvy China CCO Graham Fink leaves as agency axes position
One of the world’s most recognised creative leaders Graham Fink is leaving his role as Ogilvy China’s chief creative officer after seven years.
“The world is our oyster” – Graham Fink leaves Ogilvy China
Fink, who was previously the executive creative director for M&C Saatchi in London, will officially leave the role at the end of February as the WPP-owned agency axes the CCO role for good in China.
Instead, Ogilvy China’s creative team will be led by three group ECDs: the recently hired Chee Guan Yue and Thomas Zhu in Shanghai and Adrian Zhu in Beijing.
They will report to Eugene Cheong, the CCO of Ogilvy Asia Pacific, and Chris Reitermann, CEO of Ogilvy China.
Fink said: “I have had six wondrous years at Ogilvy. Now I need a new challenge. My ‘Eye-drawings’ have opened my eyes to the great new opportunities of VR, AR and AI: creativity is at such a pivotal point.
“I will also continue to teach and develop the creative talent our industry needs. The world is our oyster.”
Fink has had a career spanning more than two decades on the London agency scene, working at CDP, WCRS and Saatchi & Saatchi.
In 2005, he took over as ECD of M&C Saatchi, the same year as when the agency lost its iconic account with British Airways to BBH.
Six years later, he moved to Shanghai to take over as CCO, after which he won Ogilvy Asia’s first ever Cannes Grand Prix.
Cheong said: “Graham has played an extraordinarily successful and valuable role for us in a big and challenging market. He was also an important ingredient in our Worldwide Creative Council. We have only thanks and praise as he makes his next move.”
Eleanor Dickinson is the editor of Mumbrella Asia. Eleanor joined the Asia platform from Dubai, where she acted as senior reporter for Campaign Middle East.
you have one world class creative in Asia
and you decide to allow him to leave, while allowing Neil French’s copy checker to run the show?
WTAF?
ReplyYour idea of world class obviously means “dated, jaded, old-school creative resting on his laurels”. You’re probably one of those who thinks Snapchat is for naked selfies.
And you obviously haven’t heard of Asia’s actual world-class creatives like Yaya Furukawa, David Guerrero, Suthisak Sucharittanonta, Joji Jacob, Piyush Pandey, Prasoon Joshi, Juggi Ramakrishnan, Aste Gutierrez etc.
ReplyDo you really think that the people on that list are World Class?
Based on what work?
ReplyEugene Cheong, master of print ads for hospices, God, and assorted frivolities giving a godfather-like statement to Finky…a guy who’s built his career on some stunning real adverts….now I’ve s seen everything.
ReplyGF was good in the UK days…then he came to asia and fell under the sway of [Edited under Mumbrella’s community standards]….next thing you know embarrassments like dodgy coke print ads taken from students books appeared. I think this is a blessing for him, hope he makes something positive out of it.
ReplyWhat has Eugene Cheong done?
ReplyHave your say