MEDIA CAREERS: Hong Kong agencies in bullish mode as talent hunt begins in earnest

The advertising sector in Hong Kong has reaffirmed its bullishness for this year by indicating that it is embarking on a hiring drive. According to a Morgan & Banks Job Index survey on the first quarter of this year, 47 per cent of respondents have indicated that they will increase staffing levels, compared with 37 per cent for the previous quarter. The most telling point underlining the current optimism, however, was that none said they were planning to cut back on employee numbers. This is in stark contrast to 12 months ago, when the ad industry was in the midst of a regionwide recession and bracing itself for further layoffs and pay cuts. The bullish sentiment is being fuelled by the on-going phenomenal growth in the Internet and telecom industries. The Internet industry, especially, is responsible for greater demand in personnel skilled in advertising and brand building. Morgan & Banks North Asia consumer group manager, San Lee, said there was a shortage of staff who have both business and Internet skills. The result, she noted, was that some dot-com companies were beginning to hire people with a "passion" for the Internet business. "Some companies are now looking at potential candidates who don't have Internet experience but who believe in the future potential of ecommerce," she said.

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