“Great ideas come from a childlike place—mine came from dodging homework”

Hello, I'm Kazhar Ali. My mates call me Azhar.

While I didn’t grow up dreaming of being a creative, I did grow up building makeshift lightsabers and sketching cartoons over doing my homework after school. Those daily brainstorming sessions with my twin, where we created our own cartoon characters, that was when the creative itch appeared. And it has since never left.
I joined the advertising industry after years of dabbling with graphic and web design. My first shot was with OgilvyOne, working on Singtel, Kleenex, and Huggies. Then came a big leap into a small startup, where I helped grow the team into a full-fledged agency. I wore many hats, above being an Art Director. I was deeply involved in growing the team at Societal, which led to us winning B2B Agency of the Year (Silver) at Marketing Magazine's Agency of the Year Awards. Over the years, I’ve worked on everything from regional to local campaigns—and picked up a few wins, like a Mumbrella Asia Award and a Kancil Award.
As Associate Creative Director, I’ve led our biggest accounts—Borneo Motors Singapore, including Toyota and Lexus—which became the No.1 Selling Car in Singapore multiple times. I’ve mentored younger creatives and pushed for fresh ideas that actually connect—across brand, digital, social, and film.  
Off-duty, I have a deep passion for first person shooter games, esports and film. On the side, I volunteer with Hope For Animals, where I serve on the Board of Directors. Making meaningful connections is what I love most—whether it's between brands and people, or people and their furry friends.
WORK EXPERIENCE

Societal / 2016 - Present
Associate Creative Director
Clients: Zeekr, Deepal, Toyota, Lexus, Suzuki, SMU, SG Enable, SPD, Kinto One

Art Director
Clients: Unilever—Sunlight, Breeze, Comfort, Pro Formula, Pepsodent, Surf, UFS—Knorr, Hellmann's, Lady’s Choice, BlueBand Margarine, Lipton, Anlene, CIF, Clear Shampoo, Fonterra, General Mills—Häagen-Dazs, Pernod Ricard—Glenlivet Malt Whisky, Epson, Beach Body Gear

Ogilvy Singapore / 2015 - 2016
Junior Art Director / Creative Intern (Art)
Clients: Singtel, Kimberly-Clark—Kleenex and Huggies®, BMW Automobiles

PHUNK, Art & Design / 2013 & 2014
Freelance Graphic Designer
Clients: Converse, Topos Design Studio, DJ Tony Tay

Tangoshark / 2010
Web Design Intern
Clients: DBS Bank, Bridgestone Tyres


OTHER APPOINTMENTS

Hope For Animals / 2023 - Present
Board of Director
Provided strategic and creative leadership to drive awareness and community engagement, while overseeing operations, programme development, and stakeholder partnerships, and collaborating with and inviting prominent public figures and guests such as Kumar, GRC MPs, and Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong.


RECOGNITIONS

Dragons of Malaysia Award / 2019
Gold - Best Small Budget Campaign

Mumbrella Asia Awards / 2018
Highly Commended - Mumbrella Award for Innovation

Mumbrella Asia Awards / 2018
Shortlisted - Best Use of Social Media Influencer

KANCIL Award / 2017
Bronze - Best use of direct & promo (Digital-led)

Malaysia's Marketing Excellence Award / 2017
Silver - Corporate Social Responsibility


LET'S HAVE A CHAT? (about anything really)

E: kazhar.work@gmail.com 
T: +65 96186084