OMD’s talent wins Malaysia’s first Young Spikes

This year, Malaysia launched its first-ever national Young Spikes competition to recognise, nurture and celebrate the industry’s budding talent under the age of 30, who will ultimately shape the future of the trade.

OMD Malaysia’s Sher Ren Tam and Raymond Liew have won the country’s first Gold in the media category, having impressed judges with their media strategy in response to the 24-hour competition’s brief for a broadband provider.

Speaking about their experience winning the inaugural competition, Liew comments: “While the task was challenging and stressful, we managed to turn it into a success for both the brand and ourselves! I can’t wait to take part on the regional stage.”

Tam adds: “It was both exhilarating and fun – tackling the task from inception to finish, and nailing the presentation as a team. I am thrilled that the judges loved our idea and of course, awarded our strategy a Gold!”

While the Gold is the result of Liew and Tam’s exceptional talent, both have acknowledged that the win wouldn’t have been possible without the encouragement and support from Anisha Iyer, Managing Director at OMD Malaysia.

Iyer says: “More and more, what will define an ‘agency of the future’ are the millennials shaping its strategic approach – and therefore, it is our collective responsibility to nurture and encourage them to lead our industry forward.

“Sher Ren and Raymond pulled off an exceptional response to a challenging brief in just under 24 hours. I admire their passion and talent and look forward to seeing more of our talent’s ideas and perspectives, through such platforms and otherwise,” Iyer adds.

The winners will receive an all-expenses-paid opportunity to compete on a regional level at the APAC Young Spikes competition, held during the Spikes Asia Festival of Creativity in Singapore next month.