Pampers loss hits D'Arcy as 50 staff are made redundant

NEW YORK - D'Arcy has laid off more than 50 staff, following the loss two weeks ago of the Procter & Gamble US Pampers account.

The swingeing cut represents about 14% of D'Arcy's New York staff, according to reports.

The loss of the account followed P&G's decision to consolidate its $75m (拢52.3m) global Pampers advertising account into Saatchi & Saatchi in New York. The US portion of the account was worth $30m.

It is understood that the redundancies are affecting all areas of the agency. The cuts follow the recent hiring of more than 10 staffers from Lowe & Partners to work on 拢35m Heineken account, which the agency won in February.

D'Arcy is part of the B|Com3 Group, which is being acquired by Saatchi's owner Publicis in a $3bn deal.

There has been speculation, which has not be ruled out by Publicis chairman and CEO Maurice Levy, that D'Arcy could find itself merged with sister B|Com3 agency Leo Burnett after the Publicis acquisition is complete.

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