Ideas, insights, and opinions
15 items
15 items
The future of global branding isn’t being shaped in London or New York. In this sharp take, Koto’s APAC MD Damian Borchok breaks down why the real creative edge now sits in Asia and what that means for brand leaders today. If you’re still applying Western playbooks, you’re already behind.

APAC isn’t the edge of branding. It’s where a lot of the next moves are happening. Borchok lays out a simple point: the old model of Western-led global branding is losing relevance. Large networks expanded across Asia, but too often delivered average work at premium prices. As they pull back, space opens for independent studios and local players who bring stronger craft and a deeper understanding of culture.
This isn’t just a regional story. APAC represents 60% of the world’s population and will dominate global growth over the next decade. But scale isn’t the interesting part, the shift is in ambition. The most exciting companies in the region aren’t trying to catch up to Western brands. They are building their own categories, with their own references, often rooted in local culture rather than global sameness.
What this means in practice: repeating what worked in the past won’t get you far. Strong brands come from a clear point of view, not recycled playbooks. For agencies and in-house teams, the job is to build with the region, not apply a template to it. Read the full piece in Transform Magazine.
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