06/04/2025

theSunday Special XII ON SUNDAY APRIL 6, 2025

I never planned on a career in advertising – I more or less sneaked in through the back door. In fact, I gatecrashed the industry thanks to a classic case of mistaken identity (and an opportunistic streak). One day, a friend of mine, Malkeet, mentioned that a big agency was interested in hiring him. Rather than remind them which turbaned Sikh they had actually approached, I decided to show up to the interview as if I were him. Gutsy? Yes. Ethical? Debatable. But sometimes, in advertising, you create your own luck – or in my case, your own identity! To my surprise, the agency didn’t bother checking my non-existent advertising credentials. Four years of tending bar and singing folk rock didn’t exactly scream “future ad exec”, but nobody asked – and I certainly didn’t volunteer that information. I was hired on the spot as a “Creative As VLVWDQW´ D IDQF\ WLWOH IRU FRɣHH EUHZHU DQG VOLGH SURMHFWRU operator) for the princely sum of RM250 a month. Once inside, I played the role with gusto. I lugged DURXQG WKH EXON\ PP VOLGH SURMHFWRU IRU SUHVHQWDWLRQV PDGH H[FHOOHQW FRɣHH D YLWDO VNLOO LQ DQ\ RɤFH DQG OHDQHG in on every discussion I could. I began volunteering snappy headline ideas to any creative who would listen or even within earshot. Most importantly, I soaked up knowledge OLNH D VSRQJH DW HYHU\ RSSRUWXQLW\ ,I , ZDV JRLQJ WR EOXɣ my way in, I needed to back it up with real skills – fast. Rising to the occasion Luck favours the bold (or the audacious impostor). A few months into my “undercover” gig, fate threw a curveball: D PDVV H[RGXV RI FUHDWLYH VWDɣ $OPRVW RYHUQLJKW WKH creative department went from bustling to practically EDUUHQ 6XGGHQO\ LW ZDV MXVW WZR KDUULHG DUW GLUHFWRUV DQG yours truly left to hold down the fort. In the ad world, when you’re thrown in the deep end, you either sink, swim, or learn to walk on water. I paddled like mad. With too much work and not enough people, I had WKH FKDQFH WR VWHS XS IURP FRɣHH MRFNH\ WR LGHD JX\ , poured my energy into every brief, brainstorming as P\ MRE GHSHQGHG RQ LW ± EHFDXVH LW GLG :KHQ DZDUGV season rolled around, I found my name listed on over 20 FUHDWLYH DZDUGV 1RW EDG IRU D QHZELH ZKR¶G EOXɣHG KLV way through the door! Legend has it that my old friend Malkeet (remember him?) came over to congratulate the team’s success on that awards night. Our managing director made a double-take – rumour has it that was the exact moment he realised I wasn’t the guy they intended to hire. But it was too late to toss me out; I’d already made myself indispensable (and That wild entrance into advertising taught me a lesson: sometimes, opportunity doesn’t knock – it tricks someone else into opening the door, and you dash in behind them. Unorthodox as it was, my start in the industry proved that breaking the rules (or at least bending them) can pay Rɣ SURYLGHG \RX¶UH UHDG\ WR GHOLYHU UHVXOWV ,Q KLQGVLJKW , ZRXOGQ¶W UHFRPPHQG LGHQWLW\ WKHIW DV D MRE KXQWLQJ strategy for everyone – but I have to admit, it gave me one heck of an origin story (and a career I wouldn’t trade for anything). moderately famous in our small circle). Opportunity makes the Rainmaker

How a mistaken identity launched my career! Key takeaways: • Don’t wait for permission to pursue your passion – be proactive to get your foot in the door. Waiting for the perfect opportunity or an official invitation can lead to stagnation. Instead, take the initiative to create your own opportunities. This might involve unconventional methods and bold actions that demonstrate your enthusiasm and determination, which are highly valued qualities in any industry. • Once you’re in, work like crazy to prove you deserve to be there. Hustle, learn and contribute beyond your job title. Securing a position is just the beginning. To truly excel, it’s essential to go above and beyond the basic requirements of your role. This means continuously seeking new learning opportunities, volunteering for additional projects and consistently demonstrating a strong work ethic. By doing so, you not only enhance your skill set but also position yourself as an invaluable team member. • Turn lucky breaks into lasting success by making yourself valuable. When opportunity lands in your lap, grab it and run. Luck can present unexpected opportunities, but it’s up to you to capitalise on them. This involves recognising these moments and taking swift, decisive action. You can transform a fortunate break into sustained success by aligning your skills and passions with these opportunities. Moreover, maintaining a positive attitude and being open to new experiences can increase the likelihood of encountering such lucky breaks. BY HARMANDAR SINGH

This series is based on Harmandar Singh’s Rainmaker book. A seasoned advertising veteran and marketing expert, he has spent decades making brands and people famous (and sometimes furious). This s decad