FutureBrand tipped to scale back Singapore ops

FutureBrand is tipped to be scaling back its Singapore operations.In a statement to Marketing, Susie Hunt (pictured), chairman of FutureBrand APAC, said that there will not be a closure in FutureBrand operations in Singapore but rather the agency will be “refocusing its operations as a regional strategy hub for key regional and global clients such as Unilever and Nestle.”Marketing understands that a majority of staff have already left the agency. However, Hunt declined to comment further on the departures.She added that the agency will retain its commitments to current clients using a smaller team and will be engaging its offices in Melbourne, Hong Kong and Shanghai.The agency first hired Hunt in May last year to take responsibility for its offices in Singapore, Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, Melbourne and Sydney.Patrick Smith, CEO at FutureBrand had then said that the position and its particular responsibilities had been created to better deliver FutureBrand’s company vision in the region and raise its profile.Earlier last year, Asia president Sarah Reiter exited the company, with Futurebrand appointing Dan Dimmock and Karine Uehara as of managing director, Southeast Asia and managing creative director, Southeast Asia roles respectively.