Chief creative officer at O&M Malaysia, Gavin Simpson, exits after a 20 year career with Ogilvy

March 31 2018, 1:11 pm | BY Lynchy | 2 Comments

Gavin Simpson_Ogilvy.jpgGavin Simpson, chief creative officer at Ogilvy & Mather Malaysia, has announced that he is leaving the network. He has enjoyed a stellar 20 year career at Ogilvy, having left and rejoined the network twice before.

Following the recent network restructure that installed Ajab Samrai as chief creative  officer for Ogilvy South East Asia and Reed Collins as chief creative  officer for Ogilvy North Asia, the network has announced that they will not be replacing Simpson’s CCO position.

Eugene Cheong, Chief Creative Officer, Ogilvy & Mather Asia Pacific & Singapore told Campaign Brief Asia: “Gavin has been with Ogilvy for so long, he has become more than a colleague to me. I am sad that he is leaving. I wish him the very best as he embarks on his next chapter.”

Simpson originally joined Ogilvy & Mather Malaysia back in 1991. After a 3-year stint at Naga DDB, Gavin returned to Ogilvy in 2000 and went on to win Malaysia’s first Gold & Silver One Show Pencils. In 2002, Ogilvy Kuala Lumpur was ranked the 10th most Creative Agency in Asia by in the Campaign Brief Asia Creative Rankings, and he was ranked the No.1 local creative in 2002 and 2003. After 3 years with Ogilvy & Mather Malaysia, Gavin had stints at Y&R Malaysia and Leo Burnett Indonesia where he transformed both agencies’ creative products. In 2005, Gavin joined Ogilvy & Mather Philippines and led the office to win 4As ‘Creative Agency of the Year’ in 2006.

Simpson then moved back to Malaysia in 2010 from the ECD role at Ogilvy Hong Kong to take up the role of Group Executive Creative Director of Ogilvy Malaysia and within 6 months they pick up a Bronze Lion in Cannes.

In 2011, Ogilvy KL picked up a Gold, Silver & Bronze Lion. They were also awarded Agency Of the Year at Spikes Asia in 2011. In 2012 the agency scored a rare ‘Nomination’ and Yellow Pencil at D&AD and in 2013 Ogilvy KL picked up 2 Silver Lions and 2 Bronze Lions.

 

In 2013 Ogilvy KL was ranked 2nd most creative office among all Ogilvy offices worldwide. Over the past two years the agency – and indeed, the whole Malaysian Ad Industry – has struggled creatively at award shows.

Campaign Brief Asia unsuccessfully reached out to Simpson for comment on his plans going forward but, given his creative record, we are certain he will make a great success of the next chapter in his career.