Billings decline claims HK shop Mason Manda

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