Further redundancies at the Singapore operations of Dentsu Aegis Network
The Singapore office of Dentsu Aegis Network has gone through a fresh round of redundancies.
Asked to comment on the scope of cuts, the roles affected and the reasons driving the staff reductions, DAN issued a statement which said: “We’ve made some changes to the business in Singapore today. While we are unable to comment on the number as it affects our people, it is limited.
“You might recall in March, we announced a new management structure in Asia-Pacific to enable markets in the region to react to changing client needs with speed and agility.
“As the industry continues to become more complex and fragmented, we need to focus on creating simplicity; delivering value for our clients while building long-term and sustainable growth in our business.”
An industry source speaking off the record to Mumbrella said about the cuts: “I think it’s been a big one, but it is probably the last one.”
DAN had first announced that 2% redundancies were in the offing earlier this year, the result of a restructuring exercise.
A further streamlining of the business announced in March saw the number of regional operations shrink from five to three, which resulted in the exit of Susana Tsui who stepped down as CEO of DAN China after just a year in the role.
Around the exit of former CEO of Asia-Pacific Nick Waters to take over as chairman of the UK and Ireland at DAN, there was yet another round of cuts which played out through the first quarter of the year, giving rise to speculation that the organisation was becoming more Dentsu than Aegis.
Among those who were let go were DAN Singapore and South East Asia CEO Phil Teeman, DAN North Asia CEO Rob Hughes, Amplifi Asia-Pacific president Sunil Yadav, Dentsu APAC chief client officer Kristian Barnes and Dentsu Aegis Network media chairman, and Posterscope and MKTG CEO, Sean O’Brien.
The round of cuts were supposedly initiated as far back as over a year ago, with the exit of senior personnel from group agencies last June in an attempt to move to what DAN called a more “streamlined structure“.
This is no shocking news at all. Holding companies should shed all heavyweights who don’t contribute to the business’s bottomline. Get talent who can do dual roles ie local and regional work where possible. Most networks should move to that direction and allow the savings to be reinvested in growth and not individual pockets.
ReplyThey apparently [Edited under Mumbrella’ community guidelines] even more people today!
ReplyOther than Japan, they’ve been [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines] so this is not surprising.
GroupM had a tough year, but they definitely have a good product (and some good people). BUT their supposed buying clout (the main reason any client works with them really) is no longer there, with most other media groups at par or cheaper now from a media pricing standpoint.
Publicis Media has [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines] leadership in Singapore, but they at least have won a few chunky businesses. Great year, but good luck next year.
IPG had a few interesting global wins, but totally [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines] product in Singapore.
OMG is basically [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines].
And is Havas still even [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]?
As we first read it here, it is indeed [Edited under Mumbrella’ community guidelines] here at Guoco Tower. Winter isn’t even here yet. These recent [Edited under Mumbrella’ community guidelines] are just part of the [Edited under Mumbrella’ community guidelines] affecting the company. Let’s see if anybody can get near the Iron Throne without [Edited under Mumbrella’ community guidelines].
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