In Asia’s booming creative scene, it’s not the loudest voices that lead; it’s the ones that shift how we think, buy, and belong. These Creative Economy Voices in Asia aren’t just crafting content, they’re redesigning influence.
With every carousel post, brand collaboration, and bold campaign, they’re transforming LinkedIn into a living laboratory for creativity, culture, and commerce. This list celebrates ten standout trailblazers who are changing not just the conversation, but the entire creative game.
Highlights
Shantesh S Row
Shantesh S Row, Chief Creative Officer at Slant Advertising, stands as a commanding voice in Asia’s creative economy. With over 26 years in media and advertising, he has shaped narratives for more than 600 brands, including Toyota, IKEA, and BBC World.
Moreover, his influential LinkedIn presence, which has garnered over 10 million views in 2024, reflects his thought leadership. Ranked among the top global creators by Favikon, Shantesh also serves as a mentor and advisor to esteemed institutions like IIM Indore and the Miles School of Branding.
From ghostwriting for C-suite leaders to being a bathroom crooner and trivia lover, his multidimensional persona enriches his storytelling craft.
Audrey Chia
Audrey Chia, the founder of Close with Copy, is reshaping the content game by merging copywriting mastery with AI-driven strategies. Rather than sticking to conventional methods, Audrey equips businesses to sprint ahead with high-converting brand content.
Through her consultancy and bespoke workshops, she empowers teams to harness AI, build impactful personal brands, and streamline growth. With a rare blend of creative flair and strategic precision, Audrey helps clients transform content into a revenue-generating asset, consistently pushing the limits of what’s possible in today’s fast-evolving marketing landscape.
Prathap Suthan
Prathap Suthan, Managing Partner and Chief Creative Officer at BangInTheMiddle, has spent nearly four decades shaping Indian advertising. Despite his seniority, he approaches each brief with the passion of a newcomer, fueled by the creative tension of insecurity.
Alongside his storied agency career, Prathap is also a sharp and consistent voice on LinkedIn, where his posts spark industry-wide dialogue and reflection.
Previously, he held top creative roles at Cheil Worldwide and Grey Global Group, leading impactful campaigns like Samsung’s “Next is What?” While deeply rooted in the advertising world, Prathap remains selective, working only on brands he believes in, making his creative integrity a cornerstone of his leadership.
Abhinav Tripathi
Abhinav Tripathi, National Creative Director at FCB Kinnect, is currently leading the charge in building the agency’s North India office into a powerhouse for integrated advertising. He focuses on crafting creative ideas engineered to travel seamlessly across platforms and influencer ecosystems.
Previously at McCann Worldgroup, Abhinav worked on renowned brands such as Nescafé, Mastercard, and Coca-Cola. His work has been recognized on global stages including Cannes Lions, D&AD, One Show, and Spikes Asia. With a keen eye for culture and a sharp sense of creative engineering, he continues to shape narratives that resonate far beyond the brief.
Guan Hin Tay
Guan Hin Tay, currently the APAC Regional Director for The One Club for Creativity, Chairman of So Drama! Entertainment’s Advisory Board. He is a revered figure in Asia’s creative industry. Throughout his journey—spanning VML, Leo Burnett, and Saatchi & Saatchi—he’s helped brands like Shell and Unilever elevate their market presence through digital storytelling.
Notably, he served as Jury President for Outdoor at Cannes Lions and speaks regularly at top global conferences. He is also the author of the best-selling Penguin book Collide: Embracing Conflict to Boost Creativity, a mindset he applies through mentoring young creatives and championing brand authenticity, establishing himself as a creative compass in the region.
Namrata Arora
Namrata Arora, currently Content Lead and Creative Director at SuperYou, exemplifies creative versatility. From managing artists to leading campaigns at Ogilvy for Tata Salt and Amazon, Namrata has embraced diverse roles across advertising’s spectrum.
Additionally, her content creation across LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube reflects her storytelling agility. Whether shaping mass-market insights or performing stand-up comedy by night, Namrata’s work thrives on authenticity and multidimensional expression.
Anish Daryani
Anish Daryani, Founder and CEO of Moonfolks, has long been a pioneering force in Southeast Asia’s advertising scene. After acquiring and rebranding M&C Saatchi Indonesia, he launched Moonfolks with a bold mission: to make the audacious possible.
Named Southeast Asia Agency Head of the Year in 2020 and a finalist in subsequent years, Anish has consistently been recognized for leadership that fuses brand strategy, digital storytelling, and commerce.
Under his guidance, Moonfolks clinched Campaign Global’s Social Media Agency of the Year in 2021 and brought home Indonesia’s first-ever Cannes Lion in the Sustainable Development Goals category. With a relentless passion for ideas and innovation, Anish continues to set the pace for creative excellence in the region.
Binaifer Dulani
Binaifer Dulani, Founding Partner at Talented.Agency, is known for pushing creative boundaries with purpose. Her leadership of the Cannes-winning Unfiltered History Tour at Dentsu Webchutney positioned her among Asia’s top creative minds.
Beyond her accolades, including South Asia Creative Leader of the Year, Binaifer champions gender equity through Indian Creative Women and academic mentorship. With each campaign, she not only tells stories but also redefines who gets to tell them.
Alicia Souza
Alicia Souza, illustrator and founder of two joyful merchandise brands, brings happiness to life through art. In fact, she’s widely known as a “happiness illustrator,” having transformed everyday moments into products and books that people love. Moreover, her whimsical yet insightful style resonates across audiences — from corporate clients to Penguin publishers.
Moreover, her public speaking, including TEDx and INK fellowships, underscores her role as a cultural creator. Alicia’s playful energy continues to inspire a new generation of illustrators and entrepreneurs.
Merlee Jayme
Merlee Jayme, Chairmom and CCO of Jayme HQ, is a trailblazer for diversity and innovation in advertising. Having led award-winning campaigns and received global honors, including the ADFEST Lotus Legend and CEO of the Year, she blends insight with fearless creativity.
As a DEI advocate and founder of The Misfits Camp, she champions neurodiverse talent in the industry. Through her books and keynote talks, Merlee inspires women and underrepresented voices to break barriers and lead boldly in a male-dominated field.
Final Thoughts: From Feed to Future, Asia’s New Creative Architects
As Asia’s creative landscape accelerates into the future, the thinkers and doers spotlighted here represent more than personal success; they embody the collective rise of a region redefining global narratives.
In doing so, these Creative Economy Voices in Asia are blending art with analytics, pairing heritage with hustle, and aligning platforms with purpose.
Whether you’re a marketer, founder, or curious observer, following their journeys offers a front-row seat to where the future of branding, storytelling, and influence is headed. Now more than ever, their voices deserve to be heard and their stories shared.
Highlights
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