Lemon in last-minute rescue of Mercatela

<p>HONG KONG: Lemon has acquired digital marketing agency Mercatela's </p><p>Hong Kong operation, a move which will allow the former to expand its </p><p>business base with its competitor's clients. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>With the 11th hour rescue, Mercatela clients will continue to be </p><p>serviced, while its former employees will have the opportunity to seek </p><p>employment at Lemon, said Neil Runcieman, chief executive officer of </p><p>Lemon. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>He explained that it would also help Lemon, which was a direct </p><p>competitor to Mercatela, to expand its customer base. Mercatela clients </p><p>included British Airways, Procter & Gamble Hong Kong and Sony Music </p><p>Asia. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>According to Rupert Purser of Baker Tilly, the provisional liquidator of </p><p>Mercatela, other companies had expressed interest in Mercatela, but "for </p><p>every reason - ongoing business, employee opportunities and the </p><p>potential to realise assets - it was critical to act swiftly". "From day </p><p>one of the liquidation it was apparent that a rescue of the business was </p><p>the only prospect of any recovery to creditors. In the space of five </p><p>working days we had entered into six non disclosure agreements and </p><p>entertained intensive negotiation." </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The closure of the Hong Kong office would have resulted in 50 people </p><p>losing their jobs. Mercatela's Singapore, Malaysia, Tokyo and Taiwan </p><p>offices will not be affected by the closure of the Hong Kong operation, </p><p>but the offices will be restructured. </p><p><BR><BR> </p>