Shaun Tay
Co-Owner & Chief Executive Officer
The Shout Group
Malaysia
Determined. Defiant. Decisive. Three words etched into Shaun Tay's 25-year advertising career.
From interning at a tiny media shop to owning Malaysia's most admired locally owned creative agency, Tay has often been ranked as the best Malaysian agency head by trade publications. But that hasn't always been the case.
Cutting his teeth as a ‘creative suit,’ Tay was one of TBWA's rising stars, recognised as Campaign's Southeast Asia Account Person of the Year runner-up in 2013 and selected for Campaign's 2014 ‘40 under 40’. Frustrated by inconsistent decision-making and limited growth opportunities, he joined FCB after being headhunted to take over their ailing Malaysian operations. What followed was the resurrection of a failing business into The Shout Group — now among the best Malaysian-owned and operated agencies, with 600-plus awards to show for it.
The agency has become known for developing enduring brand ideas. RHB's ‘Champions of Progress’, now in its ninth year, is widely considered among the best ongoing brand campaigns in Asia. Clients including Desaru Coast, Spritzer, Resorts World Genting, and MR DIY have called on The Shout Group at crucial junctures in their brand journeys.
Tay's success has become a lightning rod for Malaysia's local agency scene. It used to feel suicidal going toe-to-toe against network-owned shops; but The Shout Group proved otherwise, and the local agency scene has been thriving as a result.
To Quote: "His positive energy is highly infectious, he will make a non-believer a believer in producing triple-A-grade creative solutions for any challenges that they face." -Sani Abdul Murad, Group CMO of RHB Bank
