bio

In 1986, Graham graduated with a BSc Honours Degree in Chemistry from the University of Edinburgh. This proved a surprisingly good preparation for his first job in advertising - copywriter for a Dutch business-to-business agency specialising in the chemicals industry.

Realising that doing ads for consumers was a bit more fun than writing for chemical engineers, Graham joined a mainstream Dutch agency that did both advertising and direct marketing.

In 1991, Graham moved to Singapore, joining O&M Direct as a copywriter.  After winning all the major awards in the field he moved above-the-line with O&M to focus on traditional advertising. Graham’s rapid ascent resulted in Executive Creative Director roles at Leo Burnett, then TBWA Singapore.

However, while at Leo Burnett, Graham was bitten by the digital bug. To scratch this itch he joined Ogilvy Interactive in July 2000 as Regional Creative Director, Asia Pacific.  Graham oversaw the build-up of the regional network and helped Ogilvy make the transition to digital.

In 2003, he joined Saatchi & Saatchi Singapore as Executive Creative Director. Aside from strengthening the agency’s traditional abilities, he launched their digital offering.  This was a role he continued in his next agency, BBH Japan. Here Graham lead the launch of Axe (“Lynx”) which was the most profitable product launch in Unilever’s history. The campaign went on to win a Gold at the Global Effies; a first for Japan.

Graham returned to Singapore in 2007, joining TBWA as Executive Creative Director, Singapore and “Creative Integrator” for Asia.  Six months later, he steered the agency to success by winning the Singapore Airlines account; Singapore’s biggest pitch in decades. In addition, the agency won their first awards at Cannes, One Show and D&AD in over 4 years.

On returning from an extended break from the industry, Graham founded GKIM Pte Ltd: an ideas company specialising in digital marketing.  While running GKIM, Graham also had the role of National ECD for OgilvyOne India.

After the sale of GKIM, Graham joined Isobar as Regional Creative Director in 2013; overseeing a network of digital agencies stretching from India to Australia.  Under Graham’s stewardship the agency won Huawei and P&G’s Ambi Pur portfolio - both regional wins.

In March 2015, Graham joined Bates CHI & Partners as Consultant Regional Executive Creative DIrector, overseeing the agency’s Asia Pacific network

In Dec 2017, Graham launched Originate. Using a virtual agency model to strip out overheads and keep operations lean and mean, Originate provides top creative and technology talent from around Asia.  The result: clients get high quality work at less than top-tier agency prices.

personal awards

Graham’s digital work has been awarded at The One Show Interactive, Cannes Cyberlions, Clio Interactive and Communication Arts.  Highlights include winning Asia's first One Show Interactive award, and Asia's first Cannes Lion for viral marketing.

Graham’s print and TV advertising has been awarded at shows such as: Asia-Pacific Adfest, Spikes, The One Show, Clio, Cannes, D&AD and Communication Arts.

Graham has also won a cross-section of all the major direct marketing awards: Caples, Echos and the Asian Direct Marketing awards (where he has won Best of Show twice).  

As such, he is the one of the few creatives to have achieved international recognition across all media.

creative profile

Graham has served on the juries of the world's most prestigious creative awards, including: Cannes, The One Show, Clios, Asia Pacific Adfest, LIA and The Spikes.

Graham is a regular speaker at key advertising events, such as Spikes, and The One Show (where he spoke in the Great Hall of the People). His most recent speeches have centred on ways to make digital advertising more creative, particularly mobile and social media.

To view more examples of Graham's work, please click here to visit his site.