Meet the CEOs: Leo Burnett China’s Danny Mok

Danny Mok, a seasoned marketer with more than two decades of agency and client-side experience across Shanghai and Hong Kong, has spent eight years at Grey, leading the agency to achieve multiple business and creative successes.In 2013, Mok decided to jump out of the agency industry and took up a new challenge joining CSL as chief marketing officer.Two year later, Mok returned once again to agency side, taking up the position of CEO for Leo Burnett China.“China is the world's most exciting market, albeit the most complex one, and I hope to bring along my energy, knowledge and experience to unveil the true potential of Leo Burnett in China," he said.Mok shared his journey with Marketing and the secrets to success.How would you describe your management style?Direct. We are in communications business, there is no time to waste and no room for “miscommunication”.Who was the mentor who most influenced you and why?Hard question. I have many mentors - ex-bosses, clients and business partners. Honestly, I learnt things from different people at different time.But the one I learnt much from is someone I don’t know in person. Alex Ferguson. I found a lot of commonalities in managing a football team and advertising agency. I have been a Manchester United fan since I was eight and I am highly inspired by the way Fergie managed the club and the spirit injected to the team.What was the proudest moment in your career?At the year I left Grey, we finally won the Agency of the Year award, good payoff after eight-years of hard work.What’s the toughest part of your job?Telling truth.What keeps you inspired?New technology, new ideas, new people, anything new and surprises me.When you’re not at work, where could we find you?Home.What’s the craziest thing you have encountered working in the ad business?After working 36 hours non-stop for a pitch without even a nap, we all decided to go to karaoke! This happened when I was 25.What’s one piece of advice you would give to someone just starting out?Be a horse with goggles. Run as fast as possible, ignore distractions, do not compare with peers.What’s the best thing about living in China?You save the time travelling to China!What issue would you like to see the industry change in 2015?Talk less about “traditional advertising agencies are dying”, talk more about “how agencies revamp themselves”!