Web agency Grey Interactive UK will see Simon Rule quit as managing
director following a new round of job cuts. Ten staff are being made
redundant from the business's 37-strong London-based team.
In addition, the agency is moving offices to share space with sister
shop Joshua, which is also part of the Grey Global Group.
Dwain Thomas, head of e-marketing at Joshua, told Revolution: "We wanted
to keep Simon, but he wanted to pursue other interests. He will act as a
consultant for the time being during the changes."
Grey Interactive employed 115 people last year, but it has been hit by a
series of redundancies over the course of the past 12 months.
A round of cuts in March saw 34 staff go across three divisions in the
agency (see Revolution UK Online, 7 March 2001), while 19 more were made
redundant the following month. Simon Rule, then chief operating officer,
replaced chief executive Brian Lee (see Revolution UK Online, 19
April).
Thomas hoped that the move to Joshua's Wells Street offices in London
would be completed this week. He said the job losses and the move both
reflected current business activity. "One of the reasons behind what's
happening is a change in the marketplace," he explained.
He added that more clients also wanted more services from a single
agency and that, while Grey Interactive UK and Joshua would remain
separate companies, they would be offering clients an integrated
service.
"Grey Interactive's clients will now get access to a service that
includes direct marketing, promotional marketing and email marketing,"
said Thomas.
Grey Interactive UK's clients, which include Mars and Proctor & Gamble,
were currently being told of the coming changes and new service
offerings, he continued.
The agency lost out on redesigning the web sites for Fiat and Alfa Romeo
in the UK earlier in the year to rival Blue Marble (see Revolution, 11
July, page 7).
Joshua employs 220 staff and has billings equivalent to £95
million. Clients include Mates, Nike Town, ntl and British Airways.
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