Andrew Lok started his career in Singapore as a journalist with United Press International. After he decided it was more interesting to create news than to report it, he joined the advertising industry. His first agency was Bozell, followed by DDB, Batey, Y&R and TBWA.

Then he left for China, where he was part of a team that won the nationwide BMW account. They set up an office in Beijing to service this business, after which he headed back South to helm Ogilvy Guangzhou.

In twelve months, he raised that agency’s creative ranking in China from nowhere to number eight. Following that, he was shipped back home to lead David Singapore (an Ogilvy boutique) as Management Partner. In a repeat performance, he raised that agency’s creative ranking in Singapore from nowhere to number eighteen in one year.

His stint in Ogilvy continued with a position as Creative Director of Greater China, based in Beijing. He launched two global campaigns for Motorola, and also nudged the agency up several notches to a number two creative ranking in China.

He moved to Shanghai as the Executive Creative Director of BBDO, overseeing a portfolio that included FedEx, Lay’s, Pepsi, Puma, Starbucks, Wrigley's, as well as Tiffany & Co.

Currently, he is leading a new agency, called CIVILIZATION, as its founding partner. In less than three years, his shop has grown to more than 50-strong and has landed a roster of clients including Pepsi, Lay's, Sedrin beer (part of AB-InBev), Master Kong bottled teas, and Mondelēz.

He continues to direct short films and commercials, and is also writing his first novel and feature film. Among industry peers, he is known as “The Loksmith”.

His anthology of poetry, "I am a tourist", is available on amazon.com and at selected bookshops.