Ogilvy’s Tham Khai Meng named film and press jury president for Cannes 2012

Tham started his career with Leo Burnett London, and then moved on to Batey Ads where his work as creative director for Singapore Airlines is regarded as a textbook case of brand building. He joined Ogilvy in 2000 as regional creative director and co-chairman of its Asia-Pacific network. He was promoted to his current role in 2009.

Over the course of his career, Tham has served as a Cannes Lions juror and has himself won awards and grand prix from Cannes Lions, D&AD, The One Show and the Clios. Outside the industry, he has worked with the UN Secretary-General and served on the Singapore Prime Minister’s Economic Review Committee. He is a faculty member at Steinbeis University, Berlin, and a board member of Agencies in Action, a non-profit organisation that helps feed the hungry in New York City.

Commenting on his appointment, Tham said, “Our role (as Cannes Jurors) is not only to champion industry ideals, but to celebrate the brave ones who have deployed the highest creativity in the service of business."

While chairing two juries is “no easy task”, Philip Thomas, CEO of Cannes Lions is confident that Tham’s experience will stand him in good stead. “Tham has been a big part of Cannes for a number of years now. Whether as a jury member, a speaker or simply picking up numerous Lions, his stature within the industry is undisputed.”