We are very proud of GIS Alumna Cassandra Ng (Class of 2003) who recently won the award for Communications Strategist of the Year in the Singapore Media Awards 2019.
After completing her A Levels at Garden, Cassie completed an undergraduate programme in Business Administration (Concentration in Marketing) at San Jose University. She now works at PHD Media in Singapore.
Cassie, could you tell us more about this award?
This award was presented to me at the Singapore Media Awards 2019, which are annual awards organised by the Singapore 4As (Association of Accredited Advertising Agents). My category was Communications Strategy, which basically means I advise my clients on how to communicate different messages and information about their brand to consumers. It’s a discipline which falls under both advertising and marketing. It was an absolute surprise that I won this, as competition in Singapore is huge given that this tends to be the regional hub for the industry in Asia.
Tell us about your job at PHD Media?
I’ve been at PHD Media in Singapore for 4 years now, but originally started off in the Malaysia office. I spent about 4 years there before transferring into my current role in Singapore.
I work on both global and regional accounts. I work particularly closely with my client, Singapore Airlines, to develop their marketing plans across the world. I also work with over 30 different countries to make sure they have the right advertising plans in place in order to achieve their business objectives.
In my time working at PHD Media Singapore I’ve worked with several blue-chip clients including GSK, Volkswagen and PropertyGuru. While I was in the Malaysia office, I worked on other brands as well, including McDonalds, Resort World Genting, Toyota, Carlsberg and Watsons. The variety of categories my clients have been in has always kept things interesting! Additionally, because I’m in a dual global & regional role, I find myself learning about different market landscapes, cultures and nuances, which I find incredibly fascinating.
What is your goal in life?
I’ve just got married, and I’m looking forward to this new chapter of life! I do have personal and career goals, but as I get older, I’ve realised those aren’t as important to me as enjoying every moment and every new experience. I’d love to continue traveling and seeing the world.
Share with some of your fondest memories at GIS…
I always enjoyed PE the most! Anything sports related, like Sports Days, FOBISIA, being part of the girls’ soccer team… I often think about how much fun it was to be part of these teams, to laugh, and run around together. When I reflect on our trainings and matches after school, at 2pm or 3pm in the blazing heat of the sun… honestly, I don’t know how we did it!
I also loved being a part of Sixth Form, when classes were smaller. I was in the second batch of Sixth Formers at Garden School, so there were only around 15 of us at the time – and with classes that small, we got really close. In one of my A-Level classes at the time, there were only 2 of us! So you can imagine after 2 years, the group had some great memories together.
One of the greatest memories I have is when GIS moved from Cheras to our new location in Mon’t Kiara. It was like an instant upgrade! All of a sudden we had a beautiful grand hall, a swimming pool and a huge field… not to mention, it was MUCH closer to my house. I haven’t been back to GIS for a while – I’m definitely due for a trip back! – but I understand the upgrades have continued since I’ve graduated.
Would you like to thank anyone along your journey? Someone who had created an impact on you?
Honestly there are far too many people! I was at GIS all the way from Year 1 up until Year 13. Mrs Cheah and Mr Ellis, the Head of the Prefect Board and the Head of Sixth Form, both had a huge impact on my secondary school life. And of course Mr Fulton, who was our soccer coach and always made us laugh! I also had a Year 5 teacher, Mr V, who I remember fondly from our days in Cheras. We’d end each school day singing while he played on his guitar. I clearly remember the favourites at the time were a bunch of Bon Jovi songs!
I would also have to thank all the friends that I’ve met along the way and grown up with – many of whom are still great friends of mine. That’s one of the things I love about GIS – we are all from such different walks of life and have all ended up in different countries, but we will always have a common bond because of GIS. It seems that no matter where I go, there will be fellow GIS Alumni not too far away!
What would be your advice to the current GIS students who may want to follow your footsteps?
I didn’t know what I wanted to do as a job until I was in my mid 20s. I often felt a little worried as I felt the rest of my friends knew they wanted to be doctors or lawyers or accountants – and I didn’t have a clue! I did a lot of different types of classes when I was at Uni – everything from Philosophy to Statistics – and somewhere along the way found something that I kind of enjoyed, which started me down the path to where I am now. If you know what you want to do at an early age, great! But if you’re like me and have no idea, don’t worry. Just keep doing something. Try everything. You will find something you enjoy!