New assignments see M&C Saatchi regain lost ground

The agency recently saw the end of its regional retainer agreement with travel portal Zuji, which is switching to a local project basis as part of a drive to localise marketing initiatives in each market in which it operates. Meanwhile, MobileOne -- for which M&C handles the prepaid and IDD business -- has yet to clarify the nature of its relationship with the agency, after restructuring its internal marketing function into three divisions: brand, consumer and enterprise. In addition, longtime client Kao has also switched its business with M&C to a project basis, while another client, Schroders, has chosen to consolidate its marcomms oversight out of Hong Kong rather than Singapore. In response, the agency has won new business from DBS Vickers and the Singapore Institute of Management, along with a regional project for Evian and Regent Motors' local business for Ford, Peugeot and Land Rover. "It's definitely a net gain," said M&C Saatchi MD Carolyn Kan. "Our new business totals S$4.2 million to $4.5 million (US$2.5 million to $2.7 million)." Kan also noted the new hire of digital business manager Lee Sheng Clarence, who joins from Upper Storey, where he was senior project manager.