News

Singapore ad agency The Local to close

The Local Independent Singapore agency The Local is closing after five years in business.

Founder Shaun Quek, a former DDB, Bates and McCann copywriter confirmed the news this afternoon, telling Mumbrella that operations would cease by the end of the month.

Ten of The Local team will be joining Y&R, including ECD Kirsten Ackland. Key clients Popeye’s and Al Futtaim Group are also moving across, Y&R has confirmed.

On his plans for the future, Quek, who set up The Local as a “non-conformist” agency that understands Singapore better than its rivals, said it was early days and he would be taking “time to reflect”.

Melvin Kuek, MD of Y&R Singapore, said in a statement: “We are delighted that Kirsten and her energetic team have joined us to further strengthen Y&R’s burgeoning talent pool. Together with newly-appointed Chief Creative Officer Komal Sonal Bedi, Planning Director Yousuf Rangoonwala and Y&R Labstore we have added depth and expertise to every department in the agency, to better service existing and new clients, including retail giants Al Futtaim Group, Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen, Lend Lease and Shiseido.”

Ackland added: “It’s great to be returning to the Y&R family and to continue The Local’s essence and winning mentality within Y&R’s global boutique ethos – the strength of a global network combined with remarkable in-depth local understanding.

The news come less than a year after The Local was named Rebel Agency of the Year at the Singapore Hall of Fame Awards with campaigns for MediaCorp, Goods of Desire, Endeavours Documentary Film Festival and The Local Shop.

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