IPG parts with SG CEO David Haddad and Initiative APAC president Will Anstee

IPG Mediabrands Singapore has parted ways with CEO David Haddad. Haddad (pictured left) has been with IPG Mediabrands since 2010, when he joined UM Australia, and moved to Singapore in 2016 as managing director of IPG Mediabrands Singapore. He took on the role of CEO role in 2018. 

Haddad brings with him 16 years industry experience across multiple categories; spanning roles in agencies such as Zenith Media and Bellamy Hayden. The agency said then that Haddad has aided the in the launch of several new specialised digital capabilities including programmatic, social, search and mobile.

Meanwhile, Will Anstee, president Initiative APAC has also been part of the layoffs within the agency. Anstee (pictured right) first joined the IPG Mediabrands unit in 2013 as client managing partner, Asia Pacific. He was then handed the CEO remit for UM Japan for a year, before returning to IPG Mediabrands as chief growth officer. Anstee took on the regional president of Initiative APAC role in January 2018.  

Confirming to Marketing, an IPG spokesperson said while planning for the mid-to-long term financial impact to the business, the network has implemented company-wide operational cost reduction measures designed to help withstand the economic impact, protect as many jobs as possible, and provide continuity of service excellence to its clients.

"An element of re-organisation has seen the departure of a small number of roles within the business. This includes Will Anstee, president initiative APAC, and David Haddad CEO IPG Mediabrands Singapore," the spokesperson added. 

According to the spokesperson, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic the IPG Mediabrands network has acted swiftly and decisively over the past months to implement measures that first and foremost aim to safeguard the health and wellbeing of its people. "As a business we have faced some tough decisions, but the steps we are taking now will allow us to continue to deliver for our clients and for the future," the spokesperson said. 

The news comes not long after IPG announced that in its first quarter 2020, net revenue decreased 1.6% to US$1.97 billion, compared to US$2.00 billion in the first quarter of 2019. Michael Roth, chairman and CEO of IPG said in a statement that “the uncertainty and anxiety as a result of the devastating COVID-19 pandemic have generated significant challenges.”

“Our top priority continues to be the safety and well-being of our people, as well as fully supporting our clients and communities. It’s too early to predict the duration and extent of macroeconomic pressure on marketers and our business, but it is heartening to see that our talented workforce has proven adept and comfortable at leveraging technology and collaborating virtually to continue to work effectively. Unfortunately our solid results in the first quarter cannot be indicative of the remainder of the year,” Roth had said.