Birger Linke

Birger Linke

Executive Creative Director, VML India

In two decades in the communication industry, I've worked on agency and client side as a creative and marketeer for Springer & Jacoby, Saatchi & Saatchi, JWT, Leo Burnett, Ogilvy, BBDO Interone, set up TBWAVietnam, am partner in headphone start-up Lynxsonic, and currently the Executive Creative Director at VML India.

Working across disciplines, I've picked up more than 200 national and international awards, incl. Gold at Cannes, the first ever D&AD for Vietnam, was named most awarded DM creative in Asia, "hottest" creative in Vietnam, and ranked in the Top 100 of “Hottest Creatives in Asia”.

 

Some highlights throughout the years:
• The "TransMariners” for the Republic of Singapore Navy became the 4th most awarded campaign in the world (Won Report), helping Saatchi & Saatchi Singapore to become the most awarded direct marketing agency in the world.
• The Coke "Olympic Beat" campaign garnered 400 Million views within the first month on air.
• The "Real Life Snake Game" for BMW became the world's first WeChat ad.
• Within a year of being set up, TBWAVietnam became the most awarded agency in the country.

 

I became a member of the advisory council of the University of Economics, Ho Chi Minh City, was ranked top in Creativepool's "Top 25 Inspiring & Influential Art Directors", and in the Top 10 of Lürzer's Archive's Creative Directors in China for 3 consecutive years.

 

With my own design consultancy, I focus on the healthcare industry. During the Covid pandemic, I helped to launch a reusable mask into the Chinese market, that eliminates viruses upon impact. The project picked up design awards worldwide and became part of the collections of the Design Museum, Essen, Germany, the "Neue Sammlung" of the Pinakothek der Moderne, Munich, Germany, and the MOOD Design Museum at Lake Como, Italy. I was ranked No. 1 Packaging Design CCO in China and Asia Pacific, my design consultancy No.3 Packaging Design Agency in China and No. 4 in Asia Pacific by ADC New York.

 

I'm a member of D&AD, Cannes Lions' 1954 Club, and The Design Society Singapore. I was a judge at D&AD, London International, New York Festival, Adfest, Award, Young Guns, AdStars, and A'Design Award a.o.

 

In my free time, I lecture on marketing and advertising and work on design projects.

I hold a Private Pilot License.

2:25 pm - 2:55 pm

Is a Request for a 5-Star 'System1' Ad Anti-Creative?

Can brands strike a balance between effectiveness and true creative risk-taking? Or is the pursuit of high ratings and the almost 'templatable' nature of modern advertising leading to a homogenised advertising landscape? Expect a lively discussion on the intersection of creativity, effectiveness and the future of advertising.