Hong Kong's economic downturn has claimed its first advertising
agency casualty, Mason Manda, while others are chopping head count to
stave off red ink. Mason was one of the smaller 4As agency, with about
20 staff.
Meanwhile, Bates and TBWA have cut between 10 and 15 people from their
payrolls, however, both claimed redundancies were in administration and
support services. McCann-Erickson also cut two interactive specialists
from its Cathay Pacific team. The lay-offs at Bates occurred as the
agency consolidated its operations with Red, the unit set up to handle
HSBC.
A source at the agency said: "Anything that can be done to save money is
being done."