Eugene Cheong

Ogilvy´s Worldwide Chief Creative Officer, Tham Khai Meng, is the most famous name of Singapore. But the real talent from the Southeast country lies on Eugene Cheong. From the many Neil French´s Asian Pupils, he was, definitely, the one who shined most.

Cheong is working at Ogilvy since 1981, from the time David Ogilvy himself was still there, and has also spent a brief time in some hot shops in the middle of the 90s. Eugene has worked in London´s office, which puts his thinking much closer to West than East. His ideas are usually very high-class, always using the combination great copy + long text, instead of visual puzzles.

Respected as a big talent, Eugene finally got a well deserved recognition at Ogilvy and was named Top Creative of the office in Asia. Neil French refers him as the world´s second best writer and some say he can write speeches better than Obama. From his more than 300 awards around, we will highlights the ones he has won in Cannes.

Ad Genius 13: Eugene Cheong.

Countries: Singapore and UK.

Agencies: Ogilvy, Bates, the Ball partnership.

In Cannes: 14 lions, 6 gold.

Strong Points: Long Copy.

David Droga

He is the man. No one in the business has won so many awards and is still on top. David Droga started at Omon in Australia and after winning a few lions, he became creative director and partner at 22. He was, then, hired to lead Saatchi & Saatchi operation in Asia, as Creative Director in Singapore. The agency rapidly became the best in the world, promoting Droga as the Executive Creative Director in the original Saatchi & Saatchi in London. Of course, the agency became the best in the world some years after, promoting him once again as Worldwide Chief Creative Officer of the whole Publicis group. Naturally, he realized it was boring to be chairman and not creativeman. Finally, he escaped to open his avant-garde Droga5 in New York and Sidney.

If you are already jealous after seeing his curriculum, check out some of his awarded works...

Ad Genius 2: David Droga.
Countries: Australia, Singapore, UK, USA.
Agencies: Omon, S&S Singapore, S&S London, Publicis Group, Droga5.
At Cannes: Over 50 lions, 3 GPs.
Strong points: Unconventional advertising, stunts.