The Hong Kong 4As has issued a public apology over a controversial
entry kit for the Creative Awards, that triggered a storm of protest and
charges of racism (media July 20).
The move, in a letter to members, appears to have appeased critics
including DDB - the second-largest agency in Hong Kong which had
threatened to quit the association unless an apology was made.
DDB Greater China president and CEO, Aaron Lau, said: "This incident is
a wake-up call for the association to rethink its mission and to uphold
like-minded values."
The decision to issue the apology comes as Bates Asia president Jeffrey
Yu was re-elected to a third term as chairman of the 4As.
"We have always positioned ourselves as an association that promotes
equal opportunity employment, but this situation has caused us to
re-examine our systems and processes," Yu said.
