=LONDON (Brand Republic) - Advertising workers in the US and Canada are bracing themselves for a fresh wave of job cuts as three US agencies tighten their belts in the face of further evidence of an industry slowdown.
Internet consultancy Giant Step, part of the Leo Burnett USA unit of Leo Burnett Worldwide in Chicago, is laying off 52 of its 227 staff, citing 鈥渢he current economic climate鈥 as the reason. Burnett, owned by the B|Com3 Group, has already laid off 200 staff -- around 9% of its US workforce.
Ogilvy & Mather, part of the WPP Group, has shut its Atlanta office and merged it with its cross-town agency J. Walter Thompson. O&M Atlanta was launched in 1980 to serve client C&S Bank. Current clients include Shoney鈥檚 and the Food Lion supermarket. Jeff White, JWT鈥檚 general manager in Atlanta, said the move will 鈥減reserve鈥 the majority of the 26 Ogilvy jobs and employees will continue to work out of its office.
Also shutting up shop is direct marketing network Rapp Collins Worldwide in New York, part of the Omnicom Group, which is closing its Minneapolis office and consolidating its accounts with those of its Chicago office. Of the 27 Minneapolis staff, Rapp Collins said 鈥渕ore than five鈥 who are part of the senior management would be offered the chance to relocate to Chicago. Minneapolis office president Patrick Furey will help with the transition in the short-term.