5 Questions With: Stephanie Foong, Head of Orion Malaysia

In this month’s 5 Questions With, Stephanie Foong, head of Orion Malaysia, shares her thoughts on opportunities for growth, motivation, and finding balance.

What’s the most exciting aspect of your role as Head of Orion, Malaysia?
What gets me excited most is that my role is no longer the typical media role. I work with potential partners to help them grow their businesses while still ensuring that they are the right partners and solutions for the agencies. I also have opportunities to explore untapped assets or platforms and fresh ideas with these partners as part of the innovation that agencies bring to their clients.

What do you feel is the biggest opportunity for growth in Malaysia?
We have tripled the partners on our list in the past 12 months — even amidst the pandemic. The growth is tied to the changing media landscape with a focus on digital. And we’re planning to scale OPEN, our addressable media offering, here in Malaysia with Matterkind.

How is Malaysia different from, and like, other markets in APAC?
Every market is unique in its own way, but the values that we deliver to our clients remain the same. Being a multiracial country with several subcultures, we have a long list of vendor partners in the market cutting across various categories, interests, and ethnicities to address the challenging target audiences in Malaysia.

What’s your best tip for finding balance?
Well, I have a few suggestions. One, you need to be good at prioritizing and managing your work schedule. Two, keep others updated and manage their expectations. Three, follow the old adage: Work smarter, not harder. Honestly, things are sometimes difficult because we overthink and complicate matters. When we’re at this point, let’s stop, take a step back, and look at things from a different perspective — it may be actually quite simple.

How do you motivate yourself and others?
Personally, I am focused on goals and results. And, I encourage others to share their goals and challenge them to make it better. Take every failure as a lesson and opportunity to be better. Don’t beat up yourself too much for failing. Stay positive, always.