Hong Kong – Sheung Yan Lo, most recently the chief creative officer for Asia-Pacific at Wunderman Thompson, has announced that he is leaving the marketing industry after over three decades of service. In his announcement, he notes that in the next chapter, he plans to spend more time with his family, while continuing to explore his creative passions, including writing for musical theatre and studying.
Lo, aptly named ‘Ma Yan’ by his colleagues, started his career in 1996, joining China’s advertising industry as a copywriter for JWT Shanghai. An illustrious career saw him quickly shooting up the ranks, eventually becoming the Chairman of JWT’s Asia-Pacific Creative Council in 2013, before being appointed chief creative officer for APAC for Wunderman Thompson in 2019.
A well-rounded creative, Ma Yan has also more than 15 years’ experience writing, directing and acting in stage plays, and writing lyrics for Asian pop songs and musicals, as an active member of the Composers and Authors Society of Hong Kong. In 2009 the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce also honoured him as one of the Outstanding Hong Kong People in Shanghai.
Speaking on this move, he said, “As I retire from this thrilling 36-year journey, I reflect with profound gratitude on all my years of creativity, growth, and camaraderie. I am reminded of the wise words of Mao Zedong “The world is yours, as well as ours, but in the last analysis, it is yours.” To the fearless, passionate souls who now carry the torch, I offer my sincerest blessings.”
Meanwhile, Audrey Kuah, co-CEO for APAC at VML, commented, “Today, we bid farewell to a creative visionary whose impact on the APAC advertising industry is immeasurable. Ma Yan’s innovative spirit, dedication, and unwavering passion have left an indelible mark on us and the entire industry. As he embarks on this new exciting chapter, we wish him a retirement as vibrant and inspiring as his career has been.”
