Global PR firm lays off 7% of S’pore team amid rising competition

It says there is a growing trend of clients moving PR functions in-house

- Timothy Goh

Global public relations firm We. Communications has laid off eight employees or 7 per cent of its Singapore team.

In an email to its staff here on Sept 25, it said it is grappling with rising competition and a growing trend of clients moving public relations functions in-house over the past six to 12 months.

This has created “significant budget gaps for the agency”, according to the email seen by The Straits Times.

In response to ST queries, a spokesman for We. Communications confirmed on Sept 26 that the US-headquartered company cut a small number of roles as part of a business realignment.

He said the company will support affected workers with care and respect, including providing strong references, optional reduced-capacity contracts and access to job search resources through government initiatives.