However, Asia-Pacific chairman Guillaume Levy-Lambert dismissed the observation, saying Lau resigned to return to his family in Shanghai. "We could not provide him with an opportunity there. He will not join the competition and will become a client," Levy-Lambert said.
Lau, who was due to leave at press-time, himself declined comment on his resignation or his next job, but his expected move to a client position underlines the serious difficulties mainland 4As agencies face in retaining talent. At press time, at least six MNC agencies were struggling to fill China leadership roles. Lau has 12 years' China agency experience, nine of which were spent at BBDO as its longest-serving CEO.
With Lau's exit, Neil Hardwick, Publicis' China CEO and Shanghai MD, will serve as acting head, with support from Beijing office MD Marian Koa, said Levy-Lambert.
Lau's departure comes at a critical juncture for Publicis China. Agency sources said Lau was instrumental in leading the China team to win HP's Asia-Pacific pitch earlier this year against McCann Erickson for its personal systems group business.
Levy-Lambert said Koa would lead the HP account following Lau's departure. See Opinion 2, page 19
