Malaysia – To advance its vision of delivering comprehensive marketing solutions, Naga DDB Tribal has strengthened its creative leadership team with key appointments: Vix Chandra as executive creative director, Loo Swee Mei as senior creative director, Alicia Hew as creative director, and Ong Poh Jet as associate creative director.
Leading the series of new hires is Chandra, who steps into the role of executive creative director. With 18 years of diverse experience, Chandra brings a unique global perspective on creativity, content marketing, brand strategy, and pop culture.
Chandra has held key roles at Red Bull Media House, Austria’s LOOP, and On in Switzerland, where he excelled in integrated marketing, strategic collaborations, and content generation. Notable achievements include elevating Porsche’s brand persona, launching On’s entry into pop culture, and leading major social media moments for Red Bull.
His creative leadership and talent for blending entertainment and culture into marketing strategies will be crucial in advancing the agency’s creative offerings and enhancing its digital experience and content studio services. He will drive the agency’s creative direction alongside chief creative officer Alvin Teoh and executive creative director Nik Radzi, further diversifying and strengthening the leadership team.
Following Chandra’s appointment, Loo also joins Naga DDB Tribal as its new senior creative director. With nearly two decades of experience in both agency and client roles, Loo has worked with leading agencies, including FCB Malaysia, Ogilvy, Dentsu, and Spin. Her career also includes leadership roles at Dentsu Shanghai and the Shanghai Disney Resort.
Her personalised approach has driven successful campaigns for brands such as Canon, Toyota, Malaysia International Airports, KFC, Playstation 5, and Nespresso.
In her new role, Loo’s expertise in creative ideation, art and design, creative tech, and new media will play a pivotal role in strengthening the agency’s creative leadership and driving its mission to deliver world-class creative solutions.
The agency has also brought on board Hew as its new creative director. She will leverage her expertise in strategic communication and creative direction to help the agency create impactful and resonant campaigns.
Recognised as one of Malaysia’s “Most Awarded Creatives in 2021,” Hew brings a robust background from Ogilvy, McCann, BBDO, and Dentsu Creative. She has also led successful initiatives for prominent brands, including Guinness, Maybelline, Nike, Snickers, Wrigley’s, and Mamee Monster.
Rounding out the new creative leadership team, Ong will also join the agency as associate creative director. His talent for leading and inspiring design teams will enhance the agency’s visual and design output, helping to deliver captivating and inspiring experiences for audiences.
Ong brings over a decade of design and art direction experience from renowned agencies including M&C Saatchi, Ogilvy, and Bonsey Jaden. His work has significantly contributed to brands like Pizza Hut, Coca-Cola, Astro, and KFC.
The addition of these creative leaders marks a pivotal moment in the agency’s journey, as their diverse expertise and global perspectives are set to elevate Naga DDB Tribal’s ability to deliver impactful campaigns for its clients.
Speaking on these new appointments, Kristian Lee, group executive director at Naga DDB Tribal, said, “At Naga DDB Tribal, we have strong ambitions for growth and a vision of what we can evolve into in the very near future. As such, we are currently actively on the lookout for talent that can not only contribute towards that vision but also display ownership by stamping their own imprint on our direction as a company.”
“As an agency that constantly has an eye on the future while striving to improve for the present, we are conscious of the immediate benefits of bringing on board fresh perspectives, capabilities, and leadership to inspire powerful, effective, and strategic creative output. Having said that, it is also essential for our young and emerging talent to have access to a multitude of leaders with diverse skill sets to aid in the growth of their burgeoning careers. Naga DDB Tribal has had a storied and proud tradition of serving as a springboard that grows careers within the Malaysian marketing industry by promoting a culture of learning for our talent, and we have every intention of continuing and promoting this culture from within,” he added.
Naga DDB Tribal is enhancing its creative leadership team to drive its growth and mission as an agency. The agency is committed to delivering innovative, technology-driven creative experiences, leveraging advancements in AI, VR, and emerging media platforms.
“With our on-going investment in talent, creative stewardship, and inspiration brought about beginning with the additions of Vix, Swee Mei, Alicia, and Poh Jet to the agency, we are confident and excited about the impact they will have in charting the future of our agency as well as in achieving our commitment of delivering even higher standards of excellence across various creative disciplines to the benefit of our current and potential clientele,” Lee concluded.
