The five, which also include account director Jerome Lau, and art directors Brice Li, Norman Lai and Ng Kok Choon, have joined Splash Productions, where they assume corresponding roles. Lee -- who also doubled as FirstMedia managing partner -- stated that his own departure arose out of a "difference in views" with First Media CEO Mark Phooi, but said that the other four left of their own volition.
Phooi declined comment pending legal action against the five.
Lee said the conflict arose from the timing of FirstMedia's mooted initial public offering., with Lee believing a longer run-up is required to listing, rather than Phooi's target of three years. Lee also added that he was concerned over varying service levels within FirstMedia. "I was concerned I was not able to make changes within the group, until certain dichotomies had been dealt with."
Firefly previously numbered eight staff members, before the departures. At Splash Productions, Lee will neither be a company director nor a share- holder, in contrast to his FirstMedia position. The company is headed by Daniel Wee, but has been largely dormant in recent times.
Firefly Studio MD Lee quits to take up role at Splash
Five senior members of Firefly Studio, including managing director Terry Lee, have departed the FirstMedia-owned design agency.