Singapore – Digital agency Vertis has been appointed to lead the revamp of Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay’s digital platforms after winning a competitive public tender.
The tender drew eight proposals from regional and international firms across consulting and creative industries. Esplanade said the project was awarded to Vertis based on both creative merit and alignment with its broader digital strategy, which aims to build a connected ecosystem for audience insights, engagement, and scalability.
The revamp will cover Esplanade’s main website and its companion digital arts publication, Esplanade Offstage. The project is intended to create a cohesive, data-driven ecosystem to enhance digital engagement.
“This is more than just a digital facelift — it’s about crafting a future-ready platform that reflects the soul of Esplanade while making the arts more accessible to all,” said Birendra Balakrishnan, co-founder of Vertis. “It’s an immense privilege to contribute to the next chapter of one of Singapore’s most iconic cultural institutions.”
“Vertis demonstrated clear understanding of Esplanade’s vision as a performing arts centre for everyone and our strategic ambitions of building a connected digital ecosystem that enables more data-informed decision making, sharper targeting, deeper engagement and stronger outcomes. We look forward to a strong partnership with Vertis to better reach and serve our diverse communities through their thoughtful solutions for our digital revamp,” said Lee Kit Pui, marketing director at The Esplanade Co Ltd.
Vertis’ proposal offered four design directions, ranging from editorial-led approaches to immersive narrative experiences, with emphasis on accessibility, flexibility, and audience insight.
For Vertis, a relatively young agency, the project marks a milestone in its growth and highlights its ability to compete against established players. The firm has previously worked on digital projects for government, education, and cultural institutions.
The revamped Esplanade platform is expected to launch in 2026.
