Lion & Lion appoints Desmond Ho as Group Director of Creative and Digital Experience

Lion & Lion Malaysia has appointed Desmond Ho as Group Director of Creative and Digital Experience. A veteran of the marketing and advertising industry, Ho will be based in Kuala Lumpur and brings with him 19 years of experience from both in-house, and in agencies.

His appointment is part of Lion & Lion’s growth plan to further expand their offerings in the digital space, especially with regards to new technologies and developments in the digital, Web3, and social media landscape. Ho reports directly to Cheelip Ong, the Regional Chief Creative Officer of Lion & Lion.

As the newest leader in the company’s senior lineup, Ho will head Lion & Lion Malaysia’s creative team while driving innovative digital experiences across the region. Prior to joining Lion & Lion, Ho worked internationally in China as Head of Digital Creative Solutions for the smart electric vehicle company AVATR. Part of the core creative team that developed the AVATR brand, he helped carry it to international recognition through the global launch of the firm’s vehicles and digital products. He also previously served as Creative Director for 180 China, as the e-Commerce Creative Lead for Apple, Nike, and Estée Lauder at Publicis Commerce, and was Creative Partner at TianYuKong, one of China’s fastest growing, public-listed agencies.

Ho is an all-rounded idea and digital experiences enthusiast, with a passion for building brands and running accounts globally and locally. The rapid growth of Web3, the Metaverse, and DeFi in Southeast Asia, motivated his return to the region to produce creative work that capitalizes on the next phase of the Internet’s evolution.

Ho said: “My passion is creating unique brand experiences through the combination of insights, technology, and creativity that come together to tell a brand narrative. I am very excited by the strategic, digital, and creative focus of Lion and Lion and having worked under Cheelip’s leadership before, seeing him transform agencies successfully both in China and now with Lion and Lion, I am confident in his vision for growth and am glad to lead new possibilities for clients in Malaysia and the region.”

Ong said: “As a creatively-driven, digital-first agency, it is hyper important for us to constantly move the needle forward and meet change where it happens. With the opportunities that are unfolding in the spaces of the Metaverse, Web3, social commerce, and e-Gaming, brands and consumers require new experiences that will engage them. Desmond will help accelerate our creative offerings across all digital frontiers to drive progress for our creatives and our clients.”

Ho’s appointment aligns with clients’ ever-growing need for new digital solutions as well as agencies who are able to work consistently and creatively across markets. Lion & Lion previously appointed Jimmy Sutanto as Creative Director for Indonesia as part of the agency’s digital-first growth strategy in that market.