In 1997 Bozell Worldwide was acquired by True North, part of FCB Group, in the US, while the rest of its offices were merged with Lowe Worldwide in 2001 as part of the Interpublic Group.
Farah Salleh, general manager of Bozell Worldwide Malaysia, confirmed the news.
Farah Salleh, general manager of Bozell Worldwide Malaysia, confirmed the news.
"More than anything else its circumstances. There are many reasons. Bozell was in a very unique position since it had an international affiliation but was very locally run. The Malaysian market is very competitive and it was time for us to decide. The shareholders and partners decided to dissolve the partnership and go our ways. With IPG too it was a mutual decision."
Bozell's closure will 30 employees currently working at the agency.
When asked how the agency's clients had reacted to the closure, Salleh said: "Clients have been informed. They are a bit sad. We have made some recommendations to them and most already have a second agency so it has been easier."
Salleh emphasised that her personal focus was to wind up the operations smoothly and responsibly and help staff find new opportunities. "I will most probably be looking for something within this business. I have been in this industry for so long, but that's not the focus right now."
Bozell was a major player in the Malaysian industry at one point, with plum accounts including Malaysia Airlines, Tourism Malaysia, Carlsberg, Volkswagen, and Celcom.
An industry source said that the closure of Bozell is a reflection of how the industry has changed. “Bozell was a great brand and it has done some great work. It's sad to see it shutting down but the industry dynamics have changed in Malaysia.”
