Ex-C27 lead launches ZERO ASIA with global ambitions

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Amid Malaysia’s ever-evolving advertising landscape, a new player has entered the fray— ZERO ASIA, a boutique creative agency founded by former C27 group account director Farez Khan.

Positioning itself as a nimble, culture-first agency, ZERO ASIA will focus on digital and social media strategy, brand storytelling, and creative direction, with a particular eye on music festivals, youth-centric brands, and campaigns rooted in cultural relevance.

In conversation with A+M, Khan shared that ZERO ASIA aims to distinguish itself through a global ambition and the ability to operate with a lean, agile team.

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While many boutiques excel in craft or culture, ZERO stands out for fusing cultural insight, regional relevance, and contemporary storytelling into work that feels fresh, intentional, and sharp.

"It’s not just about being clever or cool. It’s about being clear, considered, and impactful," added Khan.

He added that the agency will emphasise interdisciplinary collaboration across creative, strategy, production and client servicing teams to forge a more integrated and future-forward way of working.

The decision to launch ZERO ASIA stems from a shift Khan has observed in the advertising space. “There’s a move away from big, polished campaigns towards work that feels more authentic, agile, and culturally attuned,” he said. “Brands are now leaning into local relevance, faster turnarounds, and deeper digital-native thinking. That means, less broadcast, more conversation.”

Reflecting on his time with C27 and his previous agency experiences, Farez noted that he has gained a deep appreciation for the balance between creative ambition and strategic clarity. "I also developed a habit of questioning briefs. Not to challenge for the sake of it, but to uncover better insights and clearer angles," he explained.

He hopes to bring this hybrid of creative rigor and strategic sensibility in ZERO ASIA, along with a mindset that’s constantly looking to push the boundaries on ideas, while staying grounded in the real-world context of each brand and audience.

"As I wrap up my time as a client partner at C27, I’m incredibly grateful for the relationships, trust and creative journey I’ve had the privilege to be part of. It’s been more than just managing projects. It’s been about building partnerships that pushed ideas further and brought real impact to brands and audiences alike," he told A+M.

"I’m excited to carry those principles and knowledge forward into what’s next with Zero. We’ll continue collaborating closely with C27 on several upcoming projects," Farez added.

Khan had spent three and a half years with C27, first joining as account director in late 2021 before stepping up as group account director. During his time there, he led creative and servicing teams across major clients such as McDonald’s Malaysia, United International Pictures, Netflix, and Good Vibes Festival.

Before C27, he had stints at Global Atelier (Fred Perry Malaysia), Dentsu LHS, and experience incubator Livescape Group. His career spans 20 years in film, music, branding, content and digital strategy.

Earlier in March, C27 announced that it secured the social media remit for United International Pictures Malaysia under Khan’s leadership, following a pitch in September last year. The two-year contract covers social management in the Malaysian market.

The agency is also currently servicing Lotus’s Malaysia, Calpis, Ryze and EPIC Homes, alongside returning as the creative partner for Ombak Festival, which will take place this September at Desaru Coast.

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