But the findings will not bring relief to newcomers considering an advertising career.
Close to 15 per cent and 38 per cent of respondents in Hong Kong and Singapore respectively said they intended to add to their head count in the three months to June, TMP Worldwide Job Index Survey has found.
The latest figures are triple the 4.4 per cent rate of Hong Kong companies planning to hire staff in the first quarter and double Singapore's 18.4 per cent. Despite the optimistic findings, TMP eResourcing North Asia sales and marketing divisional manager, San Lee, described the situation as being balanced on a knife's edge.
She said that most ad agencies were looking for people who were either experienced or familiar with the China market. Those with less experience, Lee said, were still finding it difficult to secure jobs in the ad industry.
"The situation in Hong Kong and Singapore is quite similar. The two markets suffered greatly after the terror attacks on the US. In the past two quarters, most advertising agencies were busy restructuring and controlling costs.
"Although most said they do not have plans to lay off staff in the current quarter, there is no room for newcomers to enter the industry because agencies are searching for experienced staff."
Lee expected recovery in the industry to firm up only by the end of this year.
Hong Kong Independent Advertising Agencies Association chairman, Anthony Lee, echoed Lee's sentiments.
"I am still not so optimistic and there is no indication that agencies are going to hire more people. But no firings are good news for the industry.
However, if people can help their companies to develop their potential in the mainland, it would be one of the major reasons for hiring them," he said.
Leo Burnett Greater China and Hong Kong chief executive officer, Dennis Wong, said: "We are adapting to an economy which is still not great. The general trends are that retail spending is down, the stock market is sluggish and unemployment is higher. Our current and future plans must take account of these."
