Sung Chang
Sung has an education in architecture and has practiced and designed interiors. He’s a craftsperson having designed and exhibited custom furniture. He’s created broadcast graphics, designed album covers, designed interactive retail spaces and mobile apps. He’s created new brands, products, and services such as the first interactive TVs, video streaming services (OTT), and mobile payment systems. He's also led advertising campaigns, business practices, and organizational changes.
A leader's job is to paint reality but give hope.
Question and Answer
What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever gotten?
We had a very challenging client once and my former CEO told them to "see us as your energy, not your agency.” I always loved that notion that we’re the spark versus just another vendor.
What's something surprising most people don't know about you?
My online persona is ‘contempt’. It’s also the name of the agency I started decades ago. The name is inspired by Jean-Luc Godard’s film Contempt about the absurdity of language and societal behaviors.
If you weren't working in this industry, what would you want to be doing?
My dream job might just be closet organizer. The anti-Marie Kondo, all about how to optimize space.
Where would you love to travel in the world to gain inspiration?
I’ve always been obsessed with penguins so would love to go to Antarctica at some point.
What's your favorite thing about New York?
The Brooklyn Bridge. Every time I walk over it, I have fond memories of throwing parties on the Manhattan-side tower and attending art exhibitions inside the anchorage on the Brooklyn side.
What's the most-used app on your phone?
Evernote. I’m a convert and swear by it for everything.
What’s your favorite way to unwind in your free time?
I love films and watch on average about a hundred films a year. I started tracking my viewed films at CurrentlyWatching.com to avoid rewatching something I’ve already seen, which usually happens. Unfortunately, I haven’t updated that site in over a year so I have a backlog list building up on my phone.
Being such a film enthusiast, you must have some favorite directors. Who tops your list?
Jean-Luc Godard, Wong Kar-Wai, Pedro Almodovar, Agnes Varda, Jacques Demy, Stanley Kubrick and Reed Morano, to name a few.