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Following the passing of ad industry giant Jimmy Lam on October 30, ADFEST pays tribute to Jimmy Lam, a legendary figure in Honk Kong’s ad scene and a driving force behind the making of ADFEST into what it's become.
His passing has triggered an outpouring of tributes from creatives around the region who spoke of his impact on the industry both in Hong Kong, the Asia-Pacific, and the world.
Born and educated in Hong Kong, Jimmy graduated from the School of Communication at Hong Kong Baptist University, majored in Advertising. He started his career as Chinese language copywriter, rising through the rank in six international advertising agencies in Hong Kong to become Executive Creative Director & CEO, and Asia Pacific Executive Creative Director & Greater China Chairman.
Over the years, Jimmy earned his reputation as one of the most awarded home grown creative, took four years sabbatical to get his fix as TV commercial film director, and was the first Hong Kong creative invited to judge at Cannes International Advertising Festival, after winning a Cannes Lion the year before.
Frequently invited to speak at industry forums and university seminars, Jimmy has been appointed as visiting professor of the Shanghai Tong Ji University and the Shanghai Communication University; curriculum advisor to the Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Design, the Hong Kong Baptist University School of Communication.
In 2008, Jimmy was honoured by the Hong Kong Baptist University School of Communication as one of the 40 most distinguish alumni at its 40th anniversary.
Since his third relocation to Shanghai in 2008, Jimmy worked for local and International agencies at senior creative management positions.
Jimmy never forgets his enjoyable days as a TV commercial Director for blue chip clients such as P&G, Unilever, Johnson & Johnson, S.C. Johnson, Coke, McDonald, Pizza Hut, Pepsi Food, Nestle and LKK condiments. He used to use his weekends and holidays to build his own IP, writing food blog about his favourite noodles and hotpot places across Asia. And, shot 18 episodes of web programmes in Shanghai, Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong and Bangkok as the travelling foodie.
In 2015, Jimmy joined the Shenzhen listed LEO Digital Network Group as Chief Creative Officer. In order to focus his time and energy, doing what he likes and is good at, Jimmy ended his job at LEO Digital Network, on September 1, 2018.
Author of three Chinese books on the lighter side of advertising creativity, Jimmy has been dedicating his free time to run the Longyin Review magazine to showcase outstanding Chinese language advertising. He is one of the four founders of the LongXi International Chinese language Creative Awards, and President of Asia Pacific Advertising Festival (ADFST), the awards show that both celebrates and nurtures creativity.
To honor his memory, AdFest has put together a 2-minute film that celebrates Jimmy’s inventiveness, determination, energy and camaraderie over the twenty years he spent with AdFest team.
Also in a release AdFest wrote:
‘His vision and foresight were integral in establishing this Asian festival of creativity. Jimmy’s enthusiasm, perseverance and skill brought us forward year after year and he will be missed, not only by ADFEST but by the creative community throughout Asia.
‘Jimmy was a pillar of strength and worked tirelessly to make ADFEST a reality; he was the groundforce that shaped it into the success it is today and the advertising industry in Asia Pacific is richer for his effort.’
