MANILA, OCTOBER 12, 2012 – “The next position I’m going…no one knows. Can I create award-winning work? But I know what I’m good at. [I’ll] focus on that,” said Ogilvy & Mather outgoing executive creative director Eric Yeo at Raw School held in Ogilvy & Mather Philippines office Thursday, October 11, 2012.
Raw School students gathered in a cozy conference room and sat around Yeo as he talked about his journey in the ad world and the struggles he went through – and go through every time he creates something new.
The longest time he allotted for a certain work took 11 months. But Yeo is not in a hurry. “If you think something is going to be good, be patient. Don’t rush it,” he said.
But being a multi-awarded creative means a lot more to him than just getting the award and recognition. Yeo illustrated his point by talking about a man who won one award and, after a long time, didn’t win any more awards. “You have to keep on creating. Prove that you’re a long-time marathon-runner and not just some lucky guy.”
That night also revealed him to be a perfectionist. When asked which one of his work he considered golden, he replied, “Every work that I do is golden. If I’m not happy about a certain work, I will never let it go out.”
As Yeo packs his bags and gets ready to leave the Philippines, he gives a piece of heartfelt advice, “Filipinos should be a bit more aggressive. Be passionate about your work and remember that if rifts the issue is about work, not the person.”
Before ending his talk, he left the students with piece of useful advice, “Filipinos should be a bit more aggressive. And if in the middle of creating a great piece of work, remember that the issue is about work, not the person.”
Yeo will soon be starting his journey as a new ECD in Lowe Thailand.
Raw School is a series of classes presented by the Creative Guild of the Philippines, providing a platform for thought leaders to pass on what they know to a younger batch of creatives.
