From ‘CIAO’ to ‘CHEERS’: The philosophy behind an award-winning agency

Winning bronze in the Boutique Agency of the Year category at the Agency of the Year Awards 2026 marks an important milestone for CIAO AND CHEERS. But for the team behind the boutique experiential marketing agency, the award represents far more than recognition. It reflects years of building trust, embracing challenges, and creating experiences that leave a lasting impression.

Founded by Austin Woo (pictured right) and Paco Wong (pictured left), CIAO AND CHEERS has built a reputation for combining creativity with meticulous execution. While the agency has delivered projects for some of Hong Kong's most recognised brands and destinations, the founders believe their greatest achievement has always been the relationships they build with clients and partners.

Recognition that inspires the team

For Woo and Wong, winning Boutique Agency of the Year is not a destination - it is a reminder of the responsibility that comes with every project the team takes on.

"We're incredibly honoured. For a team of our size, this recognition means a great deal because every project carries our name and reputation."

Unlike larger agencies with multiple layers of management, the founders remain closely involved throughout every stage of a project, from the first client meeting to the final execution. Every team member plays an active role, ensuring each event reflects the agency's standards of creativity, precision and care.

Rather than treating the award as a finish line, the founders see it as motivation to continue raising the bar for both themselves and their clients.

Agency of the Year Awards 2026

The story behind "CIAO AND CHEERS"

The agency's distinctive name is often one of the first questions clients ask. While simple, it perfectly captures the philosophy that has guided the company since day one.

"CIAO" represents the beginning of every client relationship, while "CHEERS" symbolises the shared celebration at the successful completion of a project. Between those two moments lies the experience Woo and Wong strive to create, one where clients feel supported, confident and genuinely cared for from start to finish.

For the founders, every collaboration is about far more than delivering an event. It is about building trust, solving problems together and creating meaningful experiences that everyone can celebrate in the end.

Swire Properties White Christmas Street Fair 2025

Staying calm under pressure

Experiential marketing is often judged by what audiences see on event day, but much of the real work happens behind the scenes. During peak season, the team may move between installation sites, client meetings and overnight setups, often working across multiple venues within a single day.

Over the years, these demanding schedules have shaped the agency's approach to problem-solving. Rather than trying to eliminate every challenge, the team focuses on remaining calm, adapting quickly and ensuring every guest enjoys a seamless experience.

WestK Christmas Forest 2025

Creating big impact through meaningful experiences

For CIAO AND CHEERS, impact has never been measured by the size of a production alone. Whether transforming a public space, bringing communities together or overcoming complex production challenges, the goal is always the same: to create experiences that people genuinely remember.

As Woo explains, "Impact is not always defined by scale. It can mean transforming a familiar space into something audiences see differently."

That philosophy can be seen across projects including WestK Christmas Forest, Swire Properties White Christmas Street Fair and Times Square x Minions & Monsters.

The next step for CIAO AND CHEERS

After years of creating memorable brand experiences, the founders are beginning to explore a new direction that is deeply personal. The inspiration didn't come from market research or industry trends, but from everyday life inside the CIAO AND CHEERS office. Dogs and cats have naturally become part of the agency's culture. Conversations frequently revolve around new puppies, funny moments with cats, and the lives of beloved furry family members.

For Woo and Wong, the idea gradually became clear. "We've spent years creating unforgettable experiences for people. What if we could create something just for the ones who bring us so much happiness every day?"

That shared passion has inspired the agency to explore opportunities within the pet industry, not simply as a business expansion, but as a chance to create something meaningful for fellow pet lovers.

Pet-friendly office culture

Start with "CIAO", end with "CHEERS"

Although industry recognition is appreciated, Woo and Wong hope the agency will ultimately be remembered for something far more meaningful. “Awards are wonderful, but they're never our destination”, they shared. Instead, they hope every collaboration leaves clients with the same feeling.

"If every client begins their journey with confidence, ends their project with a smile, and genuinely feels we cared about every detail along the way, then we've achieved exactly what we set out to do."

After all, that has always been the philosophy behind CIAO AND CHEERS.

This article is sponsored by CIAO AND CHEERS.