Tribute: Gary Tse, three-decade Greater China advertising veteran

Tse (pictured), was former CEO and chairman of DraftFCB Greater China and has been with DraftFCB for 23 years. He joined DraftFCB from Bozell as a senior account director in the 1980s and resigned in March 2010.

He then joined Qin Jia Yuan (QJY) Media Group as executive director and chief operating officer for a year, and was most recently working as a consultant to Genesis China to capture the "golden opportunity in the consumer market in China".

Former colleagues contacted by Campaign Asia-Pacific remembered Tse as a demanding yet cheerful boss who loved to work hard and play hard, laughed a lot and brought many light moments into a highly demanding work environment. 

Simone Tam, president of DDB Group Hong Kong & Guangzhou, who was previously managing director of DraftFCB Hong Kong during almost two decades with the network in Greater China and the US, said that the news is heartbreaking. 

Tam first met Tse 20 years ago in summer 1993, when she interviewed for an account executive position. “Gary taught me a lot of things over the 17 years I worked with Bozell/FCB/ DraftFCB," Tam said. "I would not be where I am today in my career if it weren’t for him. Gary was an incredible man to work for. He was my source for guidance, confidence and unconditional support."

Tse represented the crazy and fun side of the advertising career, Tam added. "He worked hard, played even harder," she said. "We used to work till after midnight, partied until 4 am, and turned up for a 9 am client meeting. I will miss him not just as a former boss, but as my mentor and as a very, very dear friend."

Another former colleague, Brian Tucker, who is retired now but was president International of  Bozell Worldwide, was also deeply saddened to hear the news. “I knew Gary for over 20 years and considered him a friend," Tucker said. "We worked together for more than 10 years and during that time he displayed a liveliness and a deep appreciation of the finer things of life—who can forget his mad Ferrari?”

Irene Lee, managing partner of Magnet Consultancy, worked with Tse in the mid to late '80s when she was the CEO of Bozell/FCB, and Tse was a senior partner in the organization. "It is very sad as he still had much to offer to the industry," she said. "Gary was a hardworking individual; a good friend and colleague with a real heart of gold.  He made lots of friends in the industry.  Gary always rose to the occasion, and loved to reinvent himself."

"Very sad news, it really shocked me—so young," commented TH Peng, chairman and CEO of Grey Greater China. “Gary truly knew the industry and the Greater China market. He was one of the pioneers who built a strong network in the market and has nurtured and supported some excellent talents in the industry. His leadership and friendship will be missed by many who had the privilege working with him in the past.”