| In Creative Minds, we ask APAC creatives a long list of questions, from serious to silly, and ask them to pick 11 to answer. (Why 11? Just because.) Want to be featured? |
Name: Marvin Ramos
Origin: Manila, Philippines
Places lived/worked: Manila, Philippines; Saigon, Vietnam; Yangon, Myanmar
Pronouns: He/him
CV:
- Creative Director, Mango Media Group Myanmar (2025 – present)
- Creative Lead, Leo Burnett Vietnam (2019–2025)
- Senior Art Director, Publicis Jimenez Basic Philippines (2017–2019)
- Senior Art Director, Cheil Philippines (2015–2017)
- Junior Art Director, Publicis Manila, Philippines (2012–2015)
- Creative Trainee, Ogilvy Philippines (2011–2012)
1. How did you end up being a creative?
I've always been creative, even as a kid. I used to draw while my mum, an architect, worked on her projects. I joined poster and mural contests, and even earned a little from portrait sketches. Still, I saw art more as a hobby. I initially planned to study engineering, but my parents encouraged me to try Fine Arts, making me only the second student from our school to pursue an art course. Back then, I knew nothing about advertising and wanted to go into production. That changed when I met my advertising professor, who later became my boss.
2. What's your favourite piece of work in your portfolio?
In a campaign for Samsung, we used technology to revive an art form—the very device that once killed it. When pushing socially relevant ideas feels harder than ever, this work is a reminder of why what we do is still worth fighting for. It takes a brave team to champion an idea that goes against the grain, and even braver clients to back it.
3. What's your favourite piece of work created by someone else?
Recently, 'Three Words' by AXA gave me one of those —"It's so simple, why didn't I think of it?"—moments.
4. What kind of student were you?
I've always been the weird one —shy and introverted. Like what AI would generate if you typed in: "Kid who is into art and creativity".
5. What's on your bucket list?
Definitely watch all the tennis Grand Slams.
6. What career did you think you'd have when you were a kid?
I often daydreamed about becoming a pilot.
7. What advice would you give to 10-year-old you?
Life won't go as easily or as ideally as you imagine it will. So please be kind to yourself and don't forget to enjoy it.
8. How would your co-workers describe you?
I only recently found this out, but apparently I present like "an Apple product launch guy".
9. What would you do on your perfect day?
A full day at a tennis court, on different surfaces.
10. Tell us about a charity or cause you think needs more attention.
Anything cancer-related, especially involving children. My mum is a cancer survivor, so it hits close to home.
11. What app could you absolutely not live without? What app do you wish you could delete?
Messenger—it's what I use to keep in touch with my loved ones back home. Teams can leave the planet. 🤣
Source: Campaign Asia-Pacific
