From working at one of Europe’s most prestigious agencies to opening a new agency in Shanghai, Mike has a wealth of experience and insight, which helps bring a unique creative expression and effectiveness to every campaign.

Originally from South Africa, Mike has run global and local accounts in Africa, Asia, and Europe, for clients including Nikon, Huawei, Adidas, Nestle, Alibaba, Oppo, Shangri-La Hotels, and many, many more. Building these brands across every medium from digital to traditional, to social, to search has resulted in more than 100 international advertising and effectiveness awards. Today, as Group Creative Director for Ogilvy Shanghai, Mike works with local and global clients including Alibaba, Coca-Cola, Sprite, Korean Air, Perrier, and more.

Career highlights include working with Oscar-winning actor Jamie Foxx to reposition the brandy category in South Africa, creating the campaign which helped outlaw the ivory trade in Hong Kong, and creating award-winning advertising in 4 languages (and counting…).

‘Where are you from?’ It might seem a simple question, but for Jon, it’s one of the most difficult. Born in Hong Kong, he moved to New York at an early age, and then after studying and working in the Big Apple for more than a decade, found himself in Mainland China where he’s spent the last 12 years. For Jon, home is a matter of being drawn to wherever the most interesting creative challenge lies.

As Sir Issac Newton put it, “we build too many walls and not enough bridges.” Living abroad from an early age made Jon appreciate just how crucial communication is in unlocking and removing boundaries and differences between people. Language is key to dissolving differences so it stands to reason that Jon is trilingual - working in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin.

In a modern world, however, language is only half the battle and understanding maybe the other. In his near 20 years in the industry, Jon has become famous for championing the insight behind his work, looking first and foremost to understand the ‘why’ before the ‘where’ and ‘how’. Jon firmly believes that today we have more tools than ever before to interact with people in meaningful ways and in China the opportunity to wield them.
Jon currently acts as Executive Creative Director of AKQA Shanghai where he works with a multidisciplinary team to create the future with clients.

Nils took the bold step of founding his own branding company in 2018.

One positioned as the best of the east, and the best of the west. Working at the intersection of marketing and technology.

He is also launching his own fine fragrance and cosmetics brand.
A believer in ‘never settle,’ he is one of the best known and celebrated marketing and advertising specialists in the Asia region. And one of the most awarded creatives in the world.
Over the last 5 years, he has consistently been the No.1 most awarded creative person in the Chinese advertising and marketing industry.

His list of Cannes Lions wins is over 70. And most recently he was awarded the accolade of Asia Pacific Creative Person of the Year for the second year in succession, according to Campaign Magazine.

He was educated in England where he discovered a love for sport and art, having achieved early success as British fencing champion and a member of the Olympic fencing squad.
Beginning his career in London as an art director and a commercials director, he moved to Asia in 2001, joining TBWA Japan as Executive Creative Director. There he spent time living between Tokyo and LA.

His next move was to China where his reputation for being a trusted partner for many of the world's known brands grew, having consistently produced world-class work for many.

He is still the only creative person in the region that has created marketing campaigns that have consistently run across global markets out of China.

Beginning his China journey at Ogilvy Greater China as Executive Creative Director, he then moved to Y&R Greater China as CCO, followed by a return to TBWA Greater China, as President and CCO.

In all of his roles, he has taken every agency to the No.1 position ‘in country’ ranking in the industry.