Ogilvy and Mather has become the first ad agency both in US and Europe to appoint an Asian ad man as its worldwide creative director. Tham Khai Meng from Singapore is being promoted from the post of regional creative director (Asia-Pacific) to the top position of this renowned agency at New York.

This appointed has come as a surprise because previously an American, a Briton or an Australian was the usual preferred choice for the top post. One reason could be that Asia is gaining focus in ad business even in the times of recession. It is being predicted that ad spending across Asia-pacific will rise by 6 percent in 2009 while it may decline by one or two percent in US and Western Europe.

Tham has already proved his mettle at the job. The revenue at Ogilvy & Mather, Asia-Pacific has doubled to $500 million a year during his tenure as regional creative director. His Asian experience of working with small budget advertisers will be an added skill during this cost-cutting and economic slowdown era. Most importantly this man has both talent and experience and certainly deserves to be on top. Hope such appointments become a trend and Asian creative talent gets its due recognition in the world.

Via International Herald Tribune