Rabbit's Tale’s Post

Love everything about this story from HORIZONT, the headline says it all: “Creativity as a recipe for success.” Check it out here: https://bit.ly/3CccXDd It highlights the importance of a trusted partnership between creatives & clients and how it leads to business impact. “Dan’s ability to listen and understand both strategic and commercial objectives was critical to building trust and ensuring our creative work was aligned with business objectives,” Alessandro Manfredi, the former CMO for Dove at Unilever, said about his relationship with Daniel Fisher, who led the creative teams at Ogilvy working on Dove for several years, and currently serves as the Global CCO of INGO. Dan and Ale also made a critical point about balancing the intelligence that technology brings and the imagination that comes with creativity: “Brands that will be successful in the future are those that do not lose the human understanding and use technology as a tool and not as a substitute for creativity,” Ale said, with Dan adding: “It will be harder to differentiate, but creativity will become even more important to stand out from the crowd with relevant, well-thought-out ideas.” Ale made a final point that stood out to me: “In a world in which humanity is increasingly being lost, it is the task of creative minds to put humanity first again.” Such a great read! #ClientWork #BorderlessCreativity #WeekendReads

Managed to sneak into the end of the Agency or the Year awards last night to see Dentsu Singapore defend the Agency or the Year title yet again with maybe the biggest trophy haul I've ever seen! (I'm hiding at the left edge of this photo). Congrats to Prakash Kamdar and the entire Dentsu leadership, and to Sanchit Mendiratta, Trishe Goh, Terrence Quah, Vishal Thakur, Shaun Au Yong, Shushanta Guha and the entire #happytribe at Merkle for dominating every category we do work in. Incredibly proud of Jiani Han for showcasing the work from this generation of Merkle Singapore heroes and taking case study and award deep work to new heights! It was 2016, when some of us at Happy Marketer pulled an all nighter, managed to find $1200 for 4 submissions and put in our first entry to the Agency or the Year awards. While we didn't win, we did get a backchannel message from the Marketing Interactive team and Rezwana Manjur that they were proud to see local homegrown companies do great work and submit to compete with the bigger firms. That spark turned this into an obsession. Over the next 4 years, we changed the way we scoped work, planned deliverables, documented results, set project goals. This focus didn't just change our work, it changed our self worth in the industry. Doing work like this made the #MisfitsOfMarketing feel like they had their own place, and encourage new talent to join us. and that crescendo'ed in 2019 when we swept the award and won the Local Hero Agency of the Year in the year of our acquisition. The usual story at this point is then to give up the spotlight, get sucked into post M&A integration and growth. But Prantik Mazumdar kept the pressure on for new heights, Awadesh Madhogaria and Emily Han kept going for new heights on delivery and client management and in 2022, right after our rebrand, Merkle Singapore won the overall Agency of the Year - dominating across media, martech, CRM, consulting, analytics, search, social, programmatic and so many other categories. Last year, the team continued dominating with another haul last year which led to the Dentsu Singapore family winning the overall Agency of the Year. And this year, Merkle submitted all its work as Dentsu. And all that work lined up with Dentsu Singapore's own 5 year reinvention journey. Happy Marketer starting, surviving, scaling and getting acquired will remain highlights in my entrepreneurial career - but creating a team, culture and organization that has outlasted and outgrown me is probably my proudest achievement. For everyone else working on something different, unexpected and entrepreneurial ... I hope this story is a reminder that with time and intent, your goals are just over the horizon ❤️

Divya Karani has been appointed as an Independent Director at Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited, bringing over four decades of expertise in advertising and media across India, South Asia, the UK, and Asia Pacific. With a career marked by leadership roles, including her tenure as CEO of dentsu Media, South Asia, Karani has been instrumental in shaping the media landscape. Her experience also includes serving as Chairperson and Executive Director on the Board of Kulfi Collective and as an Independent Director at Jagran Prakashan, along with key contributions to the MRUC Radio Committee and Media Research Users Council. Zee Entertainment’s decision to appoint Karani underscores its commitment to strengthening corporate governance and driving strategic growth. Her deep understanding of media, advertising, and innovation will support the company in navigating the dynamic entertainment industry while delivering value to stakeholders. Karani’s appointment is set to enhance Zee’s ability to harness content, technology, and creativity for long-term success. #DivyaKarani #ZeeEntertainment #Leadership #CorporateGovernance #MediaExpertise #Advertising #ContentInnovation #BoardOfDirectors #StrategicGrowth #EntertainmentIndustry #LongTermValue #cxolanes

TBWA\HAKUHODO welcomes Wataru Uchida as its new president and chief executive officer. 🏴☠️ A long-time pirate already, Wataru has been an integral part of TBWA\HAKUHODO's journey since its inception in 2006. Speaking about the agency’s commitment to innovation and societal impact, Wataru says: "In this era of rapid change, where the role of advertising and AI’s influence is hotly debated, we see an opportunity not just to adapt but to lead with joy. “Our creativity, powered by the Disruption methodology, is far from reaching its limit." 🚀 Read more via Campaign Brief Asia: https://lnkd.in/eTYMGMKS

Connect fore!

10 Things I Learned After 10 Years as CEO of Dentsu Kenya As I close this incredible chapter at Dentsu Kenya, I’m reflecting on a decade that shaped me as a leader, a thinker, and (occasionally) as a referee in client-agency debates. Here are 10 lessons I’m taking with me: 1. “Complex ideas don’t sell. Simplicity isn’t dumbing down—it’s smartening up.” The best campaigns are clear, memorable, and so simple you can explain them in one sentence. 2. “If you want to stand out, avoid committees. Consensus is where big ideas go to die.” Trust individuals to own ideas. Great creative doesn’t come from endless compromise. 3. “Sad dogs don’t hunt. Surround yourself with winners or risk becoming the pack mule.” Energy, optimism, and determination matter just as much as talent. 4. “Advertising isn’t a sermon to the faithful; it’s a grab for the doubters marching by.” We’re in the business of turning skeptics into believers, not preaching to the choir. 5. “Greatness is never polite. Genius will annoy you, challenge you, and sometimes insult you—but it will never bore you.” Managing brilliance means embracing a little chaos—it’s worth it. 6. “The truth sells better than a polished lie—but only if you make it irresistible.” Authenticity matters, but storytelling is what makes people care. 7. “Your product isn’t boring. Your story is.” Even the most unsexy brands have a story worth telling—find it and amplify it. 8. “Pay for talent, or pay for your mistakes. Cheap labor is always the most expensive line item.” Invest in the best people, and they’ll build the best business. 9. “Stop aiming for approval. The best ideas offend the comfortable before they inspire the bold.” Great work divides opinions before it unites them in admiration. 10. “Don’t bunt. The graveyard is full of safe players no one remembers.” Take risks, make bold moves, and leave a legacy worth talking about. To all the brilliant Dentsu staff I’ve worked with over the years—thank you for making this a journey filled with creativity, resilience, and endless laughs. To our clients, partners, and suppliers—you trusted us to shape your brands, and for that, I’m forever grateful. Here’s to everything we built together—and to everything that lies ahead!

What an inspiring reflection! Lessons that resonate deeply, especially on simplicity - it really is about ‘smartening up’ if you think about it - reduce barriers to entry on all fronts. Wishing you all the best in your next chapter Christopher!

"Pay for talent, or pay for your mistakes. Cheap labour is always the most expensive line item" - Christopher Madison 10 succinctly put lessons from 10 years at the helm of managing creative teams. A worthwhile read... Makwande

Great tips

I am thrilled to share that as I celebrate 12 incredible years at Mindshare SG, my journey continues with a new chapter as I step into the role of Business Director. Over the years, I've had the privilege of working alongside some of the most talented people in the industry, dedicated to delivering stellar work that they truly believe in; and having their contributions recognised by their clients and peers, alike. As I reflect on the past 12 years, I am grateful for the many opportunities to grow, and challenges that have strengthened my perspectives. And of course, the unwavering support of our Content+ team. This new chapter is not just a personal achievement for me, but a testament of the collaborative spirit and culture for innovation, here at Mindshare. Inspired by the many bosses I have encountered, over the years. To my ex-bosses, you might not have known this, but your impact is still felt: - Chen Sands - I came in bright-eyed and all keen to pioneer social media back then in 2012, and you welcomed me warmly into the team. - Christopher Smith - still one of my main go-to creative inspirations, where I recall the team always saying "do as Chris does". Your belief in me back then to helm SilkAir's pitch, gave me the courage to lead. - Jakeena Malli - one of the most brilliant innovators, I learnt to think and act quick on my feet; and of course that awesomely hectic HK disneyland work Trip together. #workisfun - Roxanne Vure - your wit and sardonic humour always made serious client situations, a little less intense. And those ramen/ dim sum meals...unforgettable - Laura D'Ambrosio - a sharp-shooting lead who practises agility in real-time, you have led the team by example- fleeting through projects and managing workloads. Here's a snapshot of our team Xin Hua Kon, Grace and You Sian, and to the next 12 years and beyond- let's stay awesome! #NewBeginnings #MindshareJourney #ContentMarketing #SocialMediaMarketing #Leadership #WomenInBusiness