A funny Ericsson ad sparked Nutchanun Chiaphanumas’ path into advertising. Today, the We Are Social Thailand creative looks to people, stories and plenty of animals for ideas.
Creative Minds
11 questions answered by creative types across Asia, from serious to silly.
Creative Minds: From the Senate to adland, Jonel Revistual detoured his way to copywriting
The Dentsu Creative ACD spent years wandering through broadcast, activism, and spoken word poetry before finding his calling.
Creative Minds: Sophie Harper once hid her creative side, until she realised copywriting was poetry with a pay cheque
The Saatchi & Saatchi Sydney scribe channels her stage presence and poetic flair into every pitch.
Creative Minds: Suong Nguyen crashed a client lunch and turned it into a 17-year ad career
After spending over a decade cutting her teeth at Grey and Cheil, Nguyen founded the indie shop Bgency in her hometown, Ho Chi Minh City.
Creative Minds: A polar bear expedition and a David Lynch universe
Art director Hanna Grant talks about beautifully weird work, working under pressure, and why her bucket list involves bears (the actual ones).
Creative Minds: Why Lyndon Christie wants a store-closing stunt etched in the client hall of fame
Inspired by ideas too bold for the opening pitch, the Leo Sydney copywriter believes clients should champion campaigns that still resonate a decade later.
Creative Minds: Why Nonthaporn Ketmanee believes adland should think more like tennis stars
Inspired by athletes Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, the senior creative director at Publicis believes the industry could use more humility, respect, and beautifully crafted thinking.
Creative Minds: Naho Manabe on finding calm between skydiving and climbing Mount Fuji
A mother, marathoner, and Cannes-winning creative, the Publicis Groupe Japan group creative director finds meaning in balanced living.
Creative Minds: The copywriter who turned a cookware brief into a tribute to street chefs
She left her hometown without a concrete plan. Mi Nguyen now finds purpose as a storyteller who thrives under pressure, especially when spontaneity is involved.
Creative Minds: Bobo Wu on 32-hour shifts and learning when to stop
The creative partner at The 25s looks back on a 32-hour pitch, bad grades, good design and knowing when enough is enough.
The 2025 Wrap: 11 things APAC creatives taught us (none straightforward)
In this special edition of Creative Minds, this year’s cohort reminds us that creativity is seldom born of perfect CVs... it lives in the detours, the mishaps, and a cheerful disregard for sensible career choices.
Creative Minds: Ngoc Nguyen on crowdsourcing the ideal beer with Gen Zs
She grew up inspired by black and white TVCs. Now, the group creative director at Hakuhodo Vietnam turns bold, contemporary ideas into innovative campaigns, night owl hours and all.
Creative Minds: How Chang Wang made a comic book that responds to nature
Havas China’s senior art director and creator of the award-winning 'Book of Nature', draws storytelling inspiration from music and art and advises kids to swap Harry Potter for painting and guitar lessons.
Creative Minds: 'Carry that childlike wonder and curiosity through adulthood'
Whether he’s helping people send personalised Hari Raya songs or creating stories that simply make someone smile, Dentsu Malaysia’s creative director believes the work should feel real.
Creative Minds: Chris Brunner's journey from prolific Lego builder to crafting bold campaigns that make a difference
From door-to-door salesmen to a stint in journalism, the head of creative experience at Digitas New Zealand finds passion in customer storytelling that makes people feel things.