about
Michael Wong is currently working as an independent film director, after having spent 16 years as an ad agency art director and creative director. In the late 90s, he left his native Malaysia and arrived in China, where he's worked at such leading agencies as Ogilvy, BBDO, TBWA, Grey and Saatchi & Saatchi.
After more than a decade and having won over 50 creative awards, Michael decided to move onto the filmmaking scene as a writer/director with his directorial debut for Lenovo; a viral video campaign that was to be used in such markets as India, Russia, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Turkey, South Africa, South East Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Since then, Michael has been making the truth appealing for brands such as Unilever, Mercedes-Benz, Citroën, IDO Jewelry, Johnson & Johnson, Foton Daimler, Samsung and Mengniu, just to name a few. He is the kind of collaborative thinker who's especially good at expanding on little thoughts and turning them into big ideas, with a strong and steady eye on making the work look and feel fresh.
In 2015, his directorial debut short film ‘The Story of 90 Coins’ picked up multiple awards at international film festivals. But most notably, he won the Best Director accolade and 4 Official Selections at Whatashort India International Film Festival 2016.
Michael's works have been featured in Shots, Trendwatching and Graphis magazine. He has judged at the New York Festivals International Advertising Awards and Ad Stars Festival.
Michael returns to Malaysia once a year to see his old graffiti, bizarre sketches and antique toys. He currently resides in Beijing with his wife, two adorable cherubs and a puppy named Macho.
the journey
Independent
2010 - Present
Film Director
Saatchi & Saatchi Beijing, China
06.2009 - 11.2009
Creative Director
Euro RSCG Beijing, China
12.2008 - 05.2009
Creative Director
Ogilvy & Mather Beijing, China
03.2006 - 08.2008
Creative Director
TBWA Shanghai, China
03.2005 - 12.2005
Creative Director
Grey Beijing, China
10.2002 - 09.2004
Associate Creative Director
Grey Beijing, China
05.2000 - 09.2002
Group Head of Art
BBDO Beijing, China
02.1999 - 03.2000
Senior Art Director
Bozell Worldwide, Malaysia
09.1997 - 01.1999
Art Director
Spider Network, Malaysia
10.1994 - 08.1997
Junior Art Director
Tony R. Reid Photography
10.1993 - 10.1994
Deputy Photographer
DY&R, Malaysia
1993
Graphic Designer
The Story of 90 Coins
Short Film
'The Story of 90 Coins' unfolds through a special promise of love and happiness made by one male passionate lover to a seemingly reluctant girl. Ninety coins symbolize ninety days the guy gives himself to convince the girl to marry him by showing her his true color and prove his intentions.
Everything seems to go quite well as the two, in fact, fall in love. But time passes and the romance bubble deflates as reality breaks in with its daily routine, ambiguity, and incomprehension. Will they be able to overcome this critical passage or will they put an end to what it started so pure and beautiful? Without spoiling the finale, the short film reminds: “Don’t let a promise just be a beautiful memory” which somehow invites to not surrender to the hard moments of love but to try trusting its capacity of resilience and re-launch it in a greater perspective. In sum, try not to kill something beautiful as you may regret for the rest of your life.
This is the story of a promise, misunderstanding and regret. The story of 90 coins.
Haier 'Crystal' Washing Machine
TV Commercial
Haier, one of China's largest white goods manufacturer wanted a product launch video for their flagship high-end 'Crystal' washing machine. A state-of-the-art masterpiece that is aesthetic in design, full intelligent with Wifi connectivity and heat drying function.
Well designed masterpiece for modern living.
Translation:
525mm super large diameter.
Pincushion internal cylinder for extra protection.
Accurate smart detergent dispenser.
Cradle-type gentle wash.
Washing and heat drying combo.
Comfort 'Embarrassment'
TV Commercial
For their new advertisement campaign, Unilever wanted to harp on the product benefit that Comfort Fabric Conditioner brings. In this series of short advertisement, we feature some tongue-in-cheek situations in a consumer’s daily life.
'Office' Translation:
This is embarrassing!
Be more smashing with zero shrinkage!
Comfort Fabric Conditioner.
Care for your fabric.
'Shopping' Translation:
This is embarrassing!
Be more smashing with no static cling!
Comfort Fabric Conditioner.
Care for your fabric.
'Wedding' Translation:
This is embarrassing!
Be more smashing with less wrinkles!
Comfort Fabric Conditioner.
Care for your fabric.
Comfort 'Office'
Comfort 'Shopping'
Comfort 'Wedding'
Mercedes-Benz After Sales ‘Transparent’
Brand Film
As China became the largest automobile market in the world, the after sales service category expands accordingly. Authorized dealers and after sales service centers are mushrooming while dodgy service and repair outlets are competing against each other.
Mercedes-Benz wanted to streamline and effectively manage their after sales services, hence the relaunch of Star Emblem Maintenance Menu. It offers total transparency in their services that include standardized pricing, genuine spare parts and professional technicians.
This film depicts the mind's journey of our protagonist the moment he picks up the Star Emblem Maintenance Menu.
Foton Daimler 'Vision'
TV Commercial
Foton Beijing and Daimler-Benz recent joint-venture represents the latest step in the evolution of China’s automotive industry. Daimler is one of the world’s largest truck manufacturers and aims to improve on that position through the creation of outstanding value and quality. Foton, on the other hand, is China’s leading manufacturer of commercial vehicles and the largest manufacturer in Asia.
Combining Foton’s proud tradition in China and Daimler’s long tradition in commercial vehicles, Foton Daimler is destined to have a bright future in China and beyond.
This brand film sets the pace for a magnificent partnership.
Signoff:
Technology is always evolving; let's come together to build a better tomorrow. Driven by Vision.
NQ Mobile 'Carousel'
Cinema Commercial
NQ Mobile, a mobile Internet platform company, needed a commercial to promote their 3 products; mainly mobile games, mobile music search and interactive wallpaper. The 3 products are different in nature and needed to be brought forward rather straightforward.
We devised a method to put all three together in a rather entertaining way; plus summarized the brand with a nice ‘revolutionary’ visual ending.
Signoff:
NQ Mobile. Enjoyment of carefree mobile lifestyle.
Lenovo 'Extra Time'
Lenovo, one of the world's largest laptop brands, has developed a series of online viral videos for their latest flagship product - the ThinkPad T420s. It comes with a powerhouse of proven features such as faster graphics performance, faster boot up, faster wireless connections, faster data transfer, etc. To further enhance its credentials, these features are inherited from its forefather - the T410s model, ranked the '2010 Fastest Notebook of the Year' by Laptop Magazine.
This is a good attempt for Lenovo's emerging marketing team to utilizes viral marketing on their high-end product range, with aims to gradually shift consumer perception from an older image to one that is younger, more vibrant and unorthodox.
In these videos, the office executives are seen enjoying the benefits of their superbly fast laptops.
These virals are specifically developed for use in the emerging markets such as India, Russia, Middle East, Eastern Europe, Turkey, South Africa, South East Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Lenovo 'Copier Room'
Lenovo 'Parking Lot'
Lenovo 'Washroom'
BinHu 'Revelation'
TV Commercial
In conjunction with the urbanization strategy of Wujiang City, approved by the People's Government of Jiangsu Province of China; the municipal government needed a promotional film to raise awareness of its comprehensive project known as Wujiang BinHu Lakeside development. Strategically located at East TaiHu Lake, this urban ecological development will be a focal point for regional and foreign investors.
The film builds up to an impending climax that leaves viewers asking for more.
CCTV 'Evolve'
TV Commercial
Due to China's rapid economic progress, the overall civic mind of the people needs to evolve as well. China Central Television (CCTV) developed a PSA campaign to instigate civilized behavior among the populous.
The campaign depicts various slice of life situations and poses a thought-provoking question to the viewers towards the end.
Signoff:
Were you civil today?
CCTV 'Subway'
CCTV 'Lift'
CCTV 'Railing'
CCTV 'Street'
CCTV 'Cinema'
DaBao UV Protect 'Sunshine'
Online Film
Summer can be quite brutal in China with scorching sun and temperature hitting the high 40ºC. For this season, Beijing Dabao Cosmetics Co. Ltd. needed an online video to make aware the DaBao UV Protect product. With DaBao UV Protect, one can embrace the sunshine and enjoy the summer without all the heavy clothing.
Using a combination of time lapse, stop motion, and anamorphic perspective illusions, this melodious video shows the metamorphosis of a woman as she embraces the sunshine.
This video also doubled up as an interactive piece, whereby visitors to the DaBao micro site can upload (or snapshot using their webcam) a still photograph to be inserted into the video and the site generates a personalized video to be share among the friends; thus helping to disseminate the idea further.
SanQuan 'Sweet Moment'
TV Commercial
TangYuan is a kind of traditional Chinese dessert consumed mostly once a year during the Chinese Lantern Festival. Instead of the traditional fillings, SanQuan wanted to extend the consumption behavior by reposition the product as a modern dessert indulgence with the introduction of real fruit pulps filling.
The commercial shows the new concept of TangYuan and how one can indulge in the sweetness of it.
Signoff:
Inspiring sweet moment. SanQuan Fruit TangYuan.
Zespri 'Undivided Love'
TV Commercial
As the leading kiwifruit brand in China, Zespri wanted to celebrate the happy moments of family sharing and togetherness. It is a universal understanding of the undivided motherly love and care in giving the very best to the children. Riding on this notion, we depict the love of a mother through the imaginative eyes of her child.
Signoff: You are my other half; I'm your other half. Together, we are one.
Mengniu 'Morning'
TV Commercial
A bright day begins with a healthy breakfast. For active people on the move, Mengniu High Grain Breakfast Milk provides the complete nutritious to kick start the day.
Signoff:
Mengniu High Grain Breakfast. A good morning begins with a balanced diet.
Accolades
Film Direction
Creative Direction
Let me hear your thoughts...
Please fill in this form or you can also reach me at:
wongchanchou@yahoo.com
Subscribe
I'll keep you posted whenever there's a new work released.
Copyright © Michael Wong. All rights reserved. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials on these pages are copyrighted by their respected creator. No part of these pages, either text or images may be used for any purpose, unless explicit authorization is given. Therefore reproduction, modification, storage in a retrieval system or retransmission, in any form or by any means - electronic, mechanical or otherwise, is strictly prohibited without prior written permission.