After Coke Loss, Berlin Cuts 40-50% of Staff

NEW YORK WPP Group’s Berlin Cameron/Red Cell has let go of nearly half its staff following the loss last week of the $200 million North American Coke Classic account to Wieden + Kennedy, sources said.

Berlin Cameron here had about 100 employees, and the business accounted for roughly 40 percent of its revenue. About 35-40 staffers were notified that they were being laid off last week and cleared out on Friday, sources said.

In February 2003, Berlin Cameron wrested the Coke Classic account from Interpublic Group’s McCann Erickson in New York with which it shared the business.