Ogilvy's creative chief Melvyn Lim leaves after 13 years to join Apple

Ogilvy's chief creative officer, Melvyn Lim (pictured), has left his role at the agency. Marketing understands that he has joined Apple in a regional creative director role. Apple has declined to comment on the move, Marketing has reached out to Ogilvy for information about Lim's replacement.

Lim leaves the agency after 13 years with Ogilvy. He first joined OgilvyOne Worldwide back in 2007 as senior art director, and subsequently rose up in ranks to take on the role of creative director in 2008 and executive creative director in 2011. After the merging of Ogilvy, Lim continued to helm the role of executive creative director of the agency, and eventually got promoted to co-chief creative officer in 2018, along with Nicolas Courant.

As chief creative officer, Lim focused on building a diversified creative capability that extends beyond the traditional creative department and includes specialists in all forms of digital, including social, customer experience and technology. Lim's works include the recent Changi Airport Group's short film titled "While You Were Home", as well as its "Luck is Everywhere" campaign in 2018. He was also involved in Jewel Changi's brand film which offered first glimpse of the attraction. In his role, he reported to Chris Riley, chairman, Ogilvy Singapore. Previously, Lim also reported to Eugene Cheong, chief creative officer, Ogilvy Asia who left after over 20 years with the company. 

This is not the first time Apple has hired a senior leader from the agency side. Last year, it hired Avtar Ram Singh, as head of marketing, SEA and India, content and services. Singh was previously head of strategy at digital marketing agency FALCON, and senior manager, social media and content at Publicis Singapore. Singh has also held stints at Circus Social for Ogilvy Mather, Rocket Internet and the International Data Corporation.

Apple has also been placing focus on the Singapore market, having recently launched its new store located at Marina Bay Sands. The store, which seemingly floats on water, is Apple's third retail outlet in Singapore, with its two other stores located along Orchard Road and in Jewel Changi Airport.

Meanwhile, Ogilvy saw a shuffle in its leadership board earlier in May. The agency promoted Lucy McCabe to global lead for Ogilvy’s customer engagement and commerce capability. McCabe reports to Ogilvy's worldwide CEO John Seifert. Additionally, Ogilvy Consulting promoted Pierre Robinet to managing director for Southeast Asia, and Christopher Brewer to managing director of North Asia. 

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