Founding leaders and partners exit M&C Saatchi SG

After nine years, M&C Saatchi Singapore’s leadership team namely Tanuj Philip, Anthony Khoo, Toh Han Ming, Sangram Sengupta, Katherine Teo and Nicholas Leow, have decided to exit the agency to take over ownership of female-focused, subscription-based online platform Dayre, and focus their time on growing it.  Dayre was acquired by M&C Saatchi and relaunched in 2019 as a  platform where women could come together to express themselves in whatever way they choose, free from judgment, prying eyes and trolls.

In a press statement, CEO Philip said, “We are looking forward to investing our time in building Dayre.” He added that the team has been working on it for the past two years and now looks forward to taking this exciting new initiative to newer heights.

“M&C Saatchi has been a wonderful adventure for the past nine years and we are proud of the business we have built, the teams we have grown and the awards we have won. We carry with us M&C Saatchi’s entrepreneurial spirit and look forward to building a modern-day solution that will add value to women around the world,” said Philip (pictured).

Philip was the founding partner of M&C Saatchi Worldwide when it started up in 2012. The 2012 start up of M&C Saatchi in Singapore was the network’s second go in the country having shut down operations first in 2008 and moving regional headquarters to Hong Kong.  By 2012, the former group CEO of Y&R (now part of VMLY&R), was already a firmly established advertising veteran in the Singapore market with over 18 years of senior experience in the region. 

During a 2012 interview with MARKETING-INTERACTIVE, Philip had said, "M&C Saatchi Singapore is not set up as a foreign company with local managers; we have local ownership with the backing of an international network.”

The hybrid ownership structure led by Philips was a first for Singapore, following in the footsteps of neighbouring markets such as Malaysia.  Not long after the brand bagged several notable clients such as MOH and STB. 

With regards to the current departures, Richard Morewood, CEO of M&C Saatchi, Asia said, “We’re extremely grateful to Philip and the whole team for their leadership. We understand they see the huge potential in Dayre and want to do everything possible to make it a great success. We wish them nothing but the best.”

When asked by MARKETING-INTERACTIVE on the future of the agency in Singapore, a spokesperson added: 

M&C Saatchi is committed to Singapore as we see it as a regional hub. We have a number of successful businesses and a wide range of valued clients. We have exciting plans for the future which we’ll share soon.

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out for additional information to both Philip and M&C Saatchi. 

Morewood was put in place as regional CEO by M&C Saatchi in 2016 to look over offices in Singapore, Malaysia, New Delhi, Tokyo and Shanghai markets. Based in Singapore, Morewood previously worked in the M&C Saatchi Australia and London team.  Morewood was also previously with DDB for five years holding roles such as regional business director and managing partner.