Jane Leung
Aug 17, 2010

Creative Q&A: OgilvyOne's Natalie Lam is in the hot seat

Natalie Lam, regional creative director at OgilvyOne Asia Pacific and executive creative director at OgilvyOne Shanghai, on how she got into advertising.

Creative Q&A: OgilvyOne's Natalie Lam is in the hot seat

How did you get into advertising?
I started as a print designer of annual reports for Fortune 500 brands. Turning the same corporate stories sexy made me interested in ideas that change people’s perceptions.

What was your first ever ad?
I don’t think I’ve ever made an ad in the traditional sense.

Which ad do you wish you’d made?
Again, not in the traditional sense, but from recent work it would be Ikea’s Facebook Showroom.

What was your worst job ever?
None so far, you always learn something.

What qualities do you look for in a prospective employee?
Drive, naïve optimism, curiosity in life, dry/ offbeat humor and taste.

What does it take to impress you?
Anything with an unexpected twist.

Where do you go to be inspired?
The world around me.

Who do you consider to be a creative genius?
Many people, especially great film directors: Éric Rohmer, François Truffaut, Zhang YiMou, Alejandro González Iñárritu. The artist James Turrell is amazing.

If you were not working in advertising, where would you work?
Film or sports. I love film, and suck at sports.

What is your guilty pleasure?
www.cuteoverload.com and hazelnut gelato. I used to pick up a pint of ice cream on my way home whenever I worked late in NYC.

What would you like to be in a next life?
A second tier pro sportsman.

What is your favourite word?
Interesting.

Worst haircut you’ve ever had?
Whenever I’m at work past 9 pm.

What’s your favourite song lyric?
Sweet dreams

Source:
Campaign Asia

Related Articles

Just Published

14 hours ago

Agency Report Card 2024: Dentsu Media

Dentsu Media navigated a turbulent 2024, marked by financial pressures, leadership instability, and structural reorganisation, even as it pushed forward with AI investments and selective market successes.

14 hours ago

Agency Report Cards 2024: We grade 25 APAC networks

The grades are in for Campaign Asia's 22nd annual evaluation of APAC agency networks. Subscribe to read our detailed analyses.

15 hours ago

Google enhances ads portfolio with new AI-powered ...

The tech giant unveiled a series of updates to Google Ads, analytics and search, including launching agentic AI tools.