Jazzing to the top: Malaysian creative director among Forbes 30 under 30 in Asia

Forbes released its 30 under 30 in Asia list for 2021 this morning and among the list of impressive change makers is Ogilvy creative director, Jaz Lee, under the Media, Marketing and Advertising category

From an aspiring footballer to a professional adman, Jaz stumbled into advertising at the age of 19 when he started working as a junior copywriter for Leo Burnett. He was promoted to Associate Creative Director in 2019, before he left to join Ogilvy as creative director in the same year. Now at 25, Jaz may just be the youngest Creative Director in Asia right now.

“Every year, I watch in awe at the people who make it into the Forbes 30 under 30 list and tell myself ‘maybe one day’,” Jaz told MARKETING Magazine. “So, to actually make the cut and stand amongst some of the most talented and inspiring youths in the world today hopefully proves to myself (and my mum) that maybe I am doing something right.”

Despite his age, Jaz’s work and experience in leading some of the world’s biggest brands such as Samsung, Petronas, Guinness, Cadbury, Coca-Cola and Nestle speaks volumes. With a little naivety and a whole lot of crazy, Jaz strives to create work with ideas that bring a little more meaning and connection to people’s lives. 

His work for brands has been recognised and awarded by some of the world’s most prestigious award shows such as Cannes Lions, The One Show, London International Awards, AdFest, Spikes Asia, AdStars, Effies, Appies and the Kancil awards. In 2017, Jaz was ranked Campaign Brief Asia’s Top 5 Most Awarded Creative in Malaysia of that year.

Last year, Jaz participated in the annual Malaysian Media Conference 2020 as a panelist, discussing content fashioning for the next decade. Skip to 39:20 (video below) to watch his presentation during the panel, on the 6 career highlights from his last 6 years in the creative industry.

Other Malaysians who made the Forbes 30 under 30 in Asia list include co-founders of UNDI18 Tharma Pilla, 27 and Qyira Yusri, 26 (Social Impact).

For the full list of Forbes 20 under 20 Asia, class of 2021, visit: https://www.forbes.com/sites/ranawehbe/2021/04/19/meet-the-30-under-30-asia-class-of-2021/