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

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