TBWA Singapore resigns Resorts World Sentosa account

Kenny Lim Financial Times 28 Apr 09;

SINGAPORE – TBWA Singapore has resigned the Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) account with immediate effect, citing "creative and strategic differences".

“Much progress was made in RWS’s branding and marketing since TBWA’s appointment in 2007, most notably the launch of a new logo and tagline for the resort last year,” said Angela Lam, head of marketing, Resorts World at Sentosa.

“TBWA has a fantastic team, but both companies have decided that this would be the best move at this point in time. We thank the TBWA team for their contribution, and we hope to have the opportunity to work with them again someday.”

In a statement, Dan Paris, managing director of TBWA Group Singapore, said: “We have been working with Resorts World Sentosa for two years now and we have reached the point where it is time to move on and let someone more appropriate pick up from here.”

He added: "Resorts World Sentosa will be a tremendous experience when it opens and we wish the team at Resorts World Sentosa all the best for their launch."

The city-state’s second integrated resort operator is on course for a soft opening in the first quarter of 2010.

Resorts World at Sentosa to seek new agency
Kenny Lim, Financial Times 29 Apr 09;

SINGAPORE - Resorts World at Sentosa (RWS) is to launch a search for a creative agency after parting ways with TBWA yesterday.

According to a spokesperson representing the integrated resort, RWS is currently “looking at options” and would be “on track” to hiring a new agency given that it would be opening its doors in the island-state early next year.

Other sources have suggested that “several” agencies have already held talks with the client, while one argued that a pitch consultant could be brought in to invite agencies to pitch in time.

TBWA Singapore resigned the RWS creative business after two years, citing "creative and strategic differences".

Angela Lam, head of marketing at Resorts World at Sentosa, said: “Both companies have decided that this would be the best move at this point in time.”