Spirit W | Men and Women can be equally brilliant in the media industry: Draftfcb's Pully Chau

An often heard statement says, "Time and patience will bring out the best in an individual". We at Adgully believe and imply this to our offerings as well. Thus, after a passage of time, Spirit W is back and back with some of the best stories of the 'women brigade' in the media industry.

Pully Chau, Chairman and CEO of Draftfcb Greater China, is currently leading the Greater China region in building a world-class, performance-driven organisation committed to creating brilliant ideas that truly matter to consumers and help change their behavior.

Pully is a trained TV journalist graduated from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. She says, "My presentation was found at times too lively and out-of-the-box (back in 1983) by the chief editors though my fans really welcomed that. To continue my creative path I switched to Advertising."

According to Pully a 'proud work' is the work that are based on great insights into consumer aspiration (introduce something that consumers didn't even know they need it yet) that effectively uplift brands reputation measured by business results. They are not single piece of work but effective holistic campaigns.

Speaking about the work she is proud of, Pully said, "A few examples: Crest China go to rural school program 1995-2000; Olay China "Amazement starts from skin love" 2000-2009; Kraft Oreo work across Asia; Semir T-shirt design competition viral and interactive campaign that generated 6.8 million clicks within 7 months (2011) and got reported on WSJ."

She aspires those (regardless of gender) with charisma, wisdom and innovative spirits like Steve Jobs; Malcolm Gladwell; Gaudi; AG Lafley; Sylvia Ann Hewlett.

When asked the most inquisitive question: Does she feel women have an edge over men in the media space, she said, "I think men and women can be equally brilliant in media industry."

Speaking about whether the media industry lacks something organizationally, she told us that right now in China they focus on fast growth (numbers). "Stepping back to create a happy culture actually can be more effective in generating fast growth. Motivated, united communities are the most powerful forces in new business pitches and in leading recovery from any difficulties."

She says, "When you know that you got an ace team, trust and empowerment are crucial to sustainable success. In creating bigger success for all, women do not constantly pay attention to our age, gender, or perceived ceilings. This has given me relentless power to counter challenges. I have come across situations that some men peers expected oriental women to be less outspoken and competitive. I felt sorry to have disappointed them."

Pully loves reading and truly enjoys the peace of mind and happiness during meditation. Pully has worked in the advertising industry for 27 years. Her last job was CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi China where for 10 years she tripled the agency's revenue and aggressively expanded its digital and integrated capabilities. She also helped the agency win its first Bronze and Silver Lions and its first Gold APAC Effie Award.

Pully previously worked for Ogilvy&Mather, Bozell, BBDO and D'Arcy where she was Managing Director for Hong Kong and Southern China, and Regional Director for the P&G business in Asia Pacific. | By Aanchal Kohli [aanchal(at)adgully.com]