What to do about sacked advertising grandee Tham Khai Meng? Write a celebratory listicle of course
So dear readers, Dr Mumbo couldn’t quite believe his eyes when he woke up this morning and saw The Straits Times headline: “Ogilvy fires Tham Khai Meng: 7 things to know about the Singaporean advertising veteran.”
Yep, that’s right. You can imagine the scene in the editorial conference. The question on everyone’s lips – what shall we do as a follow-up on the story of Singapore’s highest achieving ad man, who got fired from his global role at Ogilvy in New York over allegations of misconduct?
Dr M assumes some bright spark must have then spoken up, saying something like: “Let’s put together a celebratory listicle.” Sheer genius.
Former Ogilvy worldwide chief creative officer Tham Khai Meng
So come enter the twilight zone with Dr M and just take a look at the seven subheadings they came up with, so surreal they could have featured in an Andy Warhol artwork (but more on that later):
- After university, he landed his first job in advertising
- He joined Ogilvy in 1999, rising through the ranks
- He believed that creativity was every employee’s responsibility
- Some of the world’s most influential brands are in his portfolio
- Bitten by the creative bug from an early age
- He served on numerous boards, including at three Temasek group companies
- Home is a 19th century firehouse, where Andy Warhol once lived
Now to the body content of the article.
The tribute starts with his university life at Central Saint Martins in London no less, where he was studying for a bachelor of arts degree. This apparently led to a scholarship to pursue a master of arts degree in film at the Royal College of Art London. Truly fascinating.
We learn how Tham Khai Meng worked his way up the agency ladder at Leo Burnett in Chicago and London as well as Batey in Singapore and then finally Ogilvy in New York.
“Through Batey’s work, the kebaya-clad Singapore Girl became an internationally recognised icon of SIA’s in-flight service,” the article gushes.
“And till today, it remains widely regarded in the industry as a textbook case on brand building. He continued to contribute to his alma maters by teaching several master classes.”
But the praise doesn’t end there, oh no. Check this out: “In 2009, he became the first Asian and Singaporean to assume the role of worldwide creative director. He oversaw the ad giant’s worldwide network, including all of its global offices. That year, he also received the Designer of the Year award at the 2009 President’s Design Award in Singapore.
“In his career spanning more than 30 years, Mr Tham has worked with some of the world’s greatest brands including American Express, Cadbury’s, China Mobile, Coca-Cola, H. J. Heinz, IBM, Johnson & Johnson, Kraft Foods, Mercedes-Benz, McDonald’s, Philips, Toyota, Unilever, among others. In January 2012, he was named film and jury president at the prestigious Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.”
And then we learn: “His brother is Singapore Press Holdings’ [publisher of The Straits Times] former senior executive vice-president of marketing, Mr Tham Khai Wor. He retired in 2005 at age 60, after 21 years in SPH marketing.”
Thanks ST, you’ve answered all of the questions people might have had in relation to what happened at Ogilvy. Job done.
Nothing to see here folks, move along.
The only people who read the Straits Newsletter are [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines] and this kind of rubbish proves it beyond doubt.
ReplyDamn, this is by far your best piece… Love it!
ReplySHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME ST
When is someone going to reveal what the misconduct was that got him fired?
ReplyHope he enjoys his post Ogilvy career and make a comeback ala Sir Martin!
ReplyBest piece ever!
ReplyWhich Mumbrella just perpetuated by reproducing it in full. Now, that’s irresponsible… and lazy
Reply[Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]….a puff piece celebrating this guys achievements instead of echoing the importance of appropriate behaviour regardless of one’s title.
ReplyHe sounds like he has the perfect resume to become Minister for the Arts.
ReplyDr. Mumbo – you’re awesome. Best piece ever, and shame on ST.
ReplySomethings not quite right inbox.
Whenever this guys memos landed everyone would LOL trying to [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]. Just as you filled an 80 hour a week timesheet and Sorell collected his 70MN bonus.
ReplyDr Mumbo needs to distinguish between Mumbrella (a trade publication) and the ST (a daily newspaper) and their different readerships (the industry, and the general public). ST did report, like the trade publications, that Tham was fired for misconduct that contravened Ogilvy’s corporate values and code of conduct. The general public, and the industry, are both naturally curious as to what this misconduct might be. But neither the ST nor the trade press are able to enlighten their readers. In addition, however, the general public would ask “Who’s Tham?”. The celebratory tone of the backgrounder need not imply condonation of Tham’s misconduct, the nature of which is yet unknown. No more than praise for Sorrell’s industry achievements condones his misconduct.
Replyas an outsider for me the biggest surprise was that he was [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]!
I am guessing my [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines] is badly off
ReplyGreat piece Mr. M. ST and the [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines] are disgusting. Both of them are [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines] Newspaper.
ReplyThought the same thing. Fired for misconduct and you get a puff piece written about you. So if it turns out to be for [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines] – the victims will see him praised. Isnt that awesome?
[Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]
More proof S’Pore is completely out of touch with engaging with the outside world.
Reply[Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]…just wait till a [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines] becomes a CEO of BMW or something and you’ll never hear the end of it…like it [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines].
This guy was [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines] exit can also be seen to have given the establishment a black eye. This is their attempt to mitigate the embarrassment [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]….by crowing about his resume….frankly, WGAF now?!
Imagine an article on [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines] citing out all the oscars he’s won….lol. Totally tone deaf, these buggers.
ReplyGrandee: a person of the highest rank or eminence.
LOL.
ReplyThere is a channel in India ET that has claimed that female employees complained about his behaviour (from the timeline I am guessing around Cannes)
which is what is surprising [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]!!
well I thought he was [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]
ReplyThis guy [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]. No respect for this [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]. At. All.
ReplyPut it this way. Khai did ads on [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]. Weinstein was a hopeless sexual predator.
ReplyHave your say