Where has all the excitement gone?

Come on Malaysia, we can do better than this!I’m starting to wonder if people in the industry are still excited about creating genuinely inspiring and creative ads and campaigns. Looking back on the few months I’ve been reporting on the industry, the biggest stories were a copy-cat scandal and a government-related super sized order for GLCs to advertise with non-preferred media.I grew up in New York City. I admit to being westernised, but in that I was also blessed with the good fortune of being surrounded by some of the most creative and innovative advertisements in the world. Stepping off the subway onto the triangle of Times Square, I was enveloped by the magic of visual communications and thought provoking copy writing. As a journalist, copy writing isn’t my forte, but honing on that skill has always been an aspiration of mine.Given a decade ago, Malaysia was on the path of defining its own identity and leaving a dent in the advertising world. But now it’s all short-term campaigns with belly churning (not aching) bad humour, horrible English (proof read, please), and print ads that look more like a coupon pamphlet for the local pasar malam.What happened?Please take no offence.I know we as a nation, as a country filled with talented, creative, innovative and bold thinkers, can do better. It took a while for me to find my written voice for the industry, but I, too, plan on doing better.Won’t you join me?Going into the New Year, we will be producing more localised content. I will be looking into every crevice, no matter how uncomfortable, challenging or intrusive, in order to fulfil my goal of localising Advertising + Marketing. I am inspired to share the many creative and amazing works of agencies and brands to our readers, whom needless to say, are shaping the Malaysian culture.That being said, our office will be closed from 23rd of December until the 3rd of January 2014.We resume work on the 6th of January – ready, refreshed and with a brand new team.See you next year!P.S. Thank you to all our readers, sponsors, delegates, contributors and agency friends, for the years of continuing support and for making A+M what it is today.Truly,Vivian Chong + Team