As many of you will know by now, Yasmin Ahmad, ECD at Leo Burnett Malaysia, passed away at the weekend following a stroke last week. Very sad news.
In her honour, we thought we’d scour YouTube and dig out a few of her best ads, showcasing her ability to tell genuinely moving stories. We need your suggestions too.
First up, two Singaporean spots, both for the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports. First, the acclaimed ‘Funeral’ spot from earlier this year. This was described in Media as “funny, surprising and emotionally provocative”, and also as “simply brilliant”. It manages the rare feat of being both genuinely moving and funny.
Also for the MCYS was 2008’s ‘Family’ - it’s less of a tear-jerker than ‘Funeral’, focusing on the relationship between father and daughter, but a great story nonetheless.
The list wouldn’t be complete without ‘Tan Hong Ming’, the famous ad for Petronas that won Gold at both Cannes and the Spikes last year, marking a breakthrough for the Malaysian ad industry. Its virtue is the natural performance of the children being filmed.
The Petronas ads were a regular highlight, allowing the creative team to create what are in effect short films without too much ’sell’. Here’s one celebrating Chinese New Year back in 2001:
Yet some of this style comes through in the more overtly commercial ads. Finally, here’s a spot for AirAsia. More openly comedic than some of the others, but still with a strong sense of family underpinning it.
Of course, this list is far from definitive - please feel free to post your suggestions and links in honour of a creative who will be sorely missed.
Tags: Leo Burnett, Yasmin Ahmad
This entry was posted on Monday, July 27th, 2009 at 10:20 am and is filed under Advertising. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Editor's Blog
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July 27th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
I never met Yasmin in person but your articles have conveyed what a great contribution she made to the advertising industry.
My condolences to friends, colleagues and family.
August 5th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
I watched ‘Sepet’, my first exposure to Yasmin’s movies. My Chinese friends did too, some more than once. I watched only once, at the end of the movie, I cried like mad. Been a long time since I bothered with a Malay movie and been a really long time since I cried at movies too. Yasmin is really good at capturing the essence of people and stories. Even her adverts brings tears! I always thought of telling her how her movies were different but the usual one of these days brought lots of regret the day I read she was in come. Now I truly, truly, truly regret I never did show an appreciation. Better to live a short life of glory than a long life of mediocrity, wherever you may be Yasmin, may you always be well and happy.