Posted on by Vishnu Devarajan
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Margaret Lim, Dame of Malaysian Media and Former Executive Chairman of Dentsu Aegis Network Malaysia, passes away
15 Nov
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Margaret Lim, a true icon of Malaysian media and advertising, often hailed as the “Dame of Malaysian Media.” Margaret passed away on November 14, 2024, after suffering a stroke late last week. She leaves an irreplaceable void in the hearts of her family, friends and the entire advertising community.
Margaret’s legacy is monumental, with a 46-year career that has left an indelible mark on the industry.
She was an advertising and media giant, standing alongside contemporaries such as the late Gerald Miranda, Larry Yuen, Shirley Thong, Betty Tan, Khairudin Rahim, Margaret Auyong, Charles Chew, Dato Seri Shazalli Ramly, Ronald Quay, Rishya Joseph, Joe D’Silva, Mark Stradling, Henry Tan, Greg Paull…
Her influence extended well beyond her accomplishments; Margaret also led the development of many stellar careers, mentoring figures like Bala Pomaleh, Roy Tan, Darren Yuen, Fan Chen Yip, Sivanathan Krishnan, among many others.
Margaret began her journey in advertising as an account service trainee at Ogilvy & Mather (O&M) before moving into media planning for the Nestlé account. Her talent and determination were quickly recognized, and by the end of her first year, she had been promoted to media manager.
This early success paved the way for a remarkable career. Margaret went on to lead media departments at some of Malaysia’s most prominent agencies, including Lintas, Bates, and Leo Burnett, as well as a stint at JWT (then PTM Thompson) as an account director for major clients like Tourism Malaysia and Malaysia Airlines.
In 1992, Margaret founded Media Base, a pioneering media agency that would later be acquired by the Aegis Group in 1998 and rebranded as Carat Malaysia.
Her visionary leadership was instrumental in the agency’s growth, and her dedication to elevating the media landscape led her to eventually take on the role of CEO of Dentsu Aegis Network Malaysia.
She later became its Executive Chairman, overseeing a robust portfolio of agencies including Carat, Vizeum, Posterscope, Isobar and Pakar Media.
Margaret’s contributions to the industry went beyond agency leadership. In 2004, she founded the Media Specialists Association of Malaysia (MSA), where she served as the pioneering Chairman.
In those early years, she dedicated herself to elevating media standards in Malaysia and established the MSA Awards, a platform to celebrate excellence in media planning and strategy.
Her passing is a profound loss to the industry, her colleagues, and her many mentees who credit her for their own successful careers.
Margaret Lim will be remembered not only for her professional accomplishments but also for her mentorship, her dedication to integrity, and her visionary spirit that shaped the future of media and advertising in Malaysia.
Margaret Lim’s legacy will live on, both through the industry she transformed and in the lives of those she touched and inspired.
Wake and Funeral details…
VENUE: No. 1, Jalan SS1/31 Kampung Tunku,
Petaling Jaya, Selangor 47300.
FRIDAY (Nov 15) – family and close friends.
3pm – 10pm: Wake
8pm: Church service
SATURDAY (Nov 16)
10am – 10pm: Wake
8pm: Church service
SUNDAY (Nov 17) – family and close friends.
10am: Church service, and travel to Gui Yuan crematorium PJ.
