Meet the CEOs: Pontac's Anson Leung

Having started off as a project executive in a small digital marketing agency, Anson Leung (pictured), business director and co-founder of Pontac had developed his interest and passion in marketing due to the fun and challenging side of it.

Apart from brainstorming ideas and exchanging opinions with his teammates, Leung believed that being a team player is extremely crucial in delivering the best work with detailed planning and precise execution.

And now with his own agency Pontac, Leung has been reminding his staff that being bold is their greatest capital as a new blood in the market, while stepping outside of and expanding their comfort zone is their way to grow. 

Find out more about Leung's journey in advertising thus far and who inspires him.

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE: What was your first job?  

My first job was being a junior data analyst at an international research house. Pretty much a trial-and-error attempt as a fresh graduate with not much direction as in where it would lead me. 

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE: What was your first role in advertising?  

I started my career as a project executive in a small digital marketing agency, where I started picking up my project management skills. 

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE: What was your first impression of advertising?  

My first (and false) impression was that “marketing is just a bunch of people sitting together and brainstorming ideas, it’s going to be chill and fun, how hard could that be?” 

The “marketing is fun” part is true, but apparently, it’s no easy job. It requires detailed planning and precise execution to make things work. 

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE: Who was the mentor who influenced you the most and how?  

It’s hard to name just a few. I am lucky enough to be able to work with so many great leaders and talented teammates throughout the years, I would like to thank everyone who had provided help and guidance to me along the journey.

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE: What's the harshest criticism you've received and how did you cope with it? 

I once screwed up a project and the whole team stayed up late to fix that for me, I criticised myself so hard that time.  

The best way to cope with it is to absorb all the negative emotions, fix things first and cry later. It’s okay and normal to have bad feelings but learn to release it at the right moment.

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE: Describe your own management style now as a leader 

I see myself as a hands-off type of leader. I do not want to intervene too much as I believe everyone has their own style of working and way of thinking, which make each of them unique. I prefer making myself ready to support them when they ask for it and provide guidance when they get lost.

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE: What's one thing you wished employees understood about being a leader? 

A leader does not necessarily know everything better than you do. As an employee, do not be afraid to express your opinions; when you are in the position to lead, be humble enough to learn from your teammates.

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE: What do you do during your free time?  

My priority is to be with my family. Go out, wander around, have a nice dinner with my wife and dogs would just make my day.

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE: Where do you find your inspiration?  

I am inspired by people around me, my wife, my friends, my teammates, my clients. No one could learn everything all by himself, there are just too many things and always newer things to learn. I believe everyone has their own fields of interest and expertise, observing and learning from people around me helps broaden my mind.  

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE: If not in advertising, where would you be?  

Honestly, I cannot think of anywhere else to be. I majored in marketing and most of my classmates end up working in different marketing/advertising-related industries as well.

I think I would be in the same industry if I started over, maybe just in a different position.

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE: What advice do you have for someone looking to start a career in the industry?  

It might look fancy and glamorous on the outside, but not so much on the inside. Be prepared to go through the tough process before getting a taste of victory.

I’m not trying to sound discouraging, but one must understand every success comes from lots of routine and dirty work. It is true for every industry, even more so for marketing and advertising.

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE: What issue would you like to see the industry change in 2023?  

Too often people rush and want to deliver so many things in so little time, I do not think it is a healthy and sustainable way of working. Both brands and agencies must realise that quality work takes time, I’d rather spend more time and effort to execute a great project, than dispersing my energy on many mediocre ones.

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