SHANGHAI, CHINA – As the world continues to change drastically — thanks to the widespread impact of the COVID-19 pandemic — the creative industry is also settling into a new rhythm. adobo magazine has been checking in with some of the world’s best, award-winning leaders in the communications industry to find out how they are doing.
Today, we peek into the mind of Sheung Yan Lo “Mayan,” chief creative officer of APAC Wunderman Thompson, as he reflects on the state of society in the middle of a pandemic: How should we move forward as a people? Where can we draw our creativity?
When asked how to cope as a creative at work, he playfully suggests: “keep changing your virtual background so that your team and yourself won’t get bored.”
Lo has seen advertising through time since he first entered the Chinese industry in 1996 with J. Walter Thompson (JWT). He joined Wunderman Thompson in 2019, after helping JWT garner many regional and global advertising awards.
JWT Asia Pacific was named Network Agency of the Year by AdFest in 2008, then went on to be named Network Agency of the Year by both Media Spikes and AdFest in 2009. JWT Shanghai, meanwhile, was named Agency of the Year in 2009 by Adfest, and Agency of the Year by Campaign Asia in 2011.
Lo accomplished many firsts in China’s advertising industry, from winning China’s first Gold Clio to leading the country to its first Grand Prix at Cannes in 2011. At Adfest 2016, Mayan was named a “Lotus Legend.”
But right now, he has his mind on the bigger picture.
“That video seeing different kinds of animals having a good time without the interference of human beings keeps looping in my mind. The pollution maps that compare the before and after of total lockdown for different cities is sending a similar message. What a mess we have done to the world.”
“After the pandemic is over (hopefully it will be), let all of us do the planet a favor. Let’s give back to mother nature at least one-tenth of every year a full rest. How can we do that? Let all of us stay home and don’t mess around so that nature can have time to breathe. Let’s make it into a movement.”
“These images [have been] flashing in my mind for the past few weeks.”
“Well, on a serious note, since we are all discussing work in virtual meetings, unable to meet in person, we need to be even more human in this crazy time. Care beyond work, be extra patient, and express how much you love seeing, working and meeting your partners (even virtually). Creativity needs to be borne out of warmth in a time like this.”
This article is part of a series by adobo magazine exploring “Creative Minds in Lockdown,” a look into how industry experts are coping with the COVID-19 pandemic and the implementation of community quarantine in select parts of the world.
