Wildlife Reserves Singapore calls for media pitch

The Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) is on the lookout for a media agency. According to a document seen by MARKETING-INTERACTIVE, the appointed media agency will be tasked with media planning and buying duties for its four parks: Singapore Zoo, River Safari, Night Safari and Jurong Bird Park. The length of appointment is two years, with the option to renew for another two. MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out to WRS for additional information.

The incumbent on the account is Havas Media, which WRS last appointed as its media agency in 2017. The appointment was also for two years, and covered all attractions: Jurong Bird Park, Night Safari, River Safari and the Singapore Zoo. Meanwhile last year, WRS picked KRDS as its its digital creative and social content agency. That was the agency's fourth reappointment, having begun the partnership in January 2017.

In July 2020, WRS called for a pitch for PR duties. In a tender document, the appointed agency will be tasked with driving a combined communications plans for both WRS and Mandai Park Development that will build and strength the organisation's reputation, as well as generate excitement for its Mandai Rejuvenation Project. The appointment will be for two years, with the option to extend for another two years. 

WRS' pitches follow the appointment of its new CMO, Irene Lin, in May last year. Having been on the lookout since the start of 2020, WRS said its CMO would be responsible for the design, planning, and implementation of all marketing activities, as well as the tracking, measurement, and optimisation of outcomes. This spans digital marketing, social, events and programming, in-park and out-of-park activations, as well as design and creative production. 

Meanwhile, WRS has also been actively coming up with experiences for consumers to lure back footfall to its vicinity. Recently, WRS unveiled a glamping with the Manatees programme which combines a day out with a night of cozy comfort in the company of manatees at the Amazon Flooded Forest.

It has been actively inking deals with leading hotels such as Millennium Hotels and Resorts and Marriott International to offer wildlife staycation packages for its hotel brands. The staycation package will enable guests to have daily breakfast, along with the choice of any of the two Wildlife Encounter packages, curated by WRS. The packages are Singapore Zoo Family Experience with Orangutans or River Safari Panda Forest Family Experience. The participating hotel brands are St. Regis, W Singapore, Ritz-Carlton Millenia, Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel, Sheraton Towers, Four Points, as well as The Vagabond Club.  

In a prior conversation, Lin said that these collaboration will grow the nature-quotient in the community of holidaymakers and inspire more people to appreciate the world around them and care for nature. “Our parks are windows to the wild where families can appreciate the naturalistic habitats of a wide range of animal species. To enrich the experience, we are curating special interactions with our animal care teams whose stories will personalise the animal encounters," Lin said.

Lin also told MARKETING-INTERACTIVE that WRS chose to work with hotels for this package as a hotel stay and a wildlife adventure make a great holiday itinerary. "When partners come together to create something special, Singaporeans and local residents can choose from a fuller menu of vacation activities that include guided programmes with personalised interactions," she said.

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After Millennium Hotels, Marriott next to tie up with WRS for wildlife staycation packages
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Wildlife Reserves Singapore names new CMO