Billings decline claims HK shop Mason Manda

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."