CAREERS MEDIA: Industry optimistic about prospects for rest of 2000

<p>The advertising industries in Hong Kong and Singapore continue to remain </p><p>upbeat about their prospects for this year; however, concern among </p><p>agencies about staff poaching from dotcoms is growing. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>According to Morgan & Banks' quarterly job index survey, 60 per cent of </p><p>advertising agencies and departments stated they would likely increase </p><p>employee numbers in this year's second quarter. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The figure for Singapore was a bit more bullish at 69 per cent. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>However, the industry was worried about losing staff to Internet and </p><p>ecommerce-related companies. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>In Hong Kong, 60 per cent of respondents considered the new age </p><p>companies as a threat or a potential threat. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Morgan & Banks regional director Russell Yeomans said this was not </p><p>surprising given the dotcom fever sweeping through Asia-Pacific. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"Advertising agencies are suffering because they are now losing key </p><p>people to dotcoms," he told MEDIA. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"But as most are now picking up a lot of new dotcom business they are </p><p>themselves in the hunt for talent and we see this as continuing into the </p><p>third quarter of this year." </p><p><BR><BR> </p>