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WPP orders hiring freeze – Clients Freezing and Decreasing Budgets – all hell breaks loose – Enfatico not staffed to levels promised

October 17, 2008

WPP has ordered a freeze on all hirings until further notice. JWT, Ogilvy & Mather, Young & Rubicam and Grey are all affected. WPP group plc , chief executive Sir Martin Sorrell, has stated that any job offers made but not accepted must be withdrawn immediately…. meaning there are a bunch of people that just quit their jobs hoping to go to WPP… and now find themselves unemployed. WPP has also banning its operating companies from using resources such as headhunters and has ordered managers to get a firm grip on the employment of freelancers and temporary staff…. meaning freelancers are getting canned as well. Sir Martin Sorrell has pledged to crack down on any operating company caught trying to poach staff from another. These draconain measures will not be reappraised until after next February’s budget reviews, and applies to EVERYONE Brand Republic has the story as well…

Now how will Enfatico fair in this.. they are still at 20% benchmarks in hiring with some divisions… Dell isn’t going to be happy with this one…

WPP will be handing out pink slips for Christmas… mark our words..

Written by TheFounder · Filed Under Advertising Agency News 


Comments

  • panicbutton
    "any job offers made but not accepted must be withdrawn immediately…. meaning there are a bunch of people that just quit their jobs hoping to go to WPP… and now find themselves unemployed."

    who quits a job BEFORE they've accepted another one, at WPP or anywhere else?

    it just means people who've been sitting on the fence hoping for a better offer won't be getting one.

    settle down, beavis.
  • Settle Down? You think there won't be layoffs around Christmas time? This is a disaster unfolding in front of everyone's eyes... and WPP isn't the only one feeling it.
  • ondownlow
    Yay me for the tip.... GP gave you the shout out for it too
  • ondownlow did hand me the tip everyone :)
  • art blizzard
    One more reason why the Dwarf doesn't understand the business. I predict WPP will go the way of Lehman in the next year by having it's business broken apart and sold off. Maybe they can keep Enfartico as the sole entity of WPP with an infamous client driving the train to nowhere except to his bank account.
  • Andrew Trovaioli
    I truly believe for all of us that work for brand & identity that this tzunami will persist in all sectors of the business and will continue to extend to further horizons for quite some time.
    I suggest to deversify accordingly & elsewhere where our real talents are requested.
    All clients as of today are looking for low cost "easyjet" communication methods and strategies. I believe we can move in this direction. The're keen on giving you the budget if you can comply to creativity before profit methods. Im open to suggestions, and let not the freeze halter you.
  • RJ
    Well said Andrew, know your dilemma very well. Love your work by the way, keep it up, and if they lay you off, I know your talent and philosophy will be most welcome elsewhere.
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