The San Francisco office of McCann Erickson will be laying off 40 staffers, an agency representative confirmed today. The cuts, which come as a result of diminished client spending, will be different this time, according to the agency. They’re giving staff 60 days notice in hopes that some (if not all) can find work in that time. The positions will be eliminated in December. We aren’t sure how many people will remain at the SF office (Update: we hear less than 50 200).
For those inside McCann’s SF office, this news is a long time coming. Staff reductions last occurred in July, when 40 were let go. Reductions in client billings to blame, it’s laudable that the company has kept as many employees on this long and will give them another 60 days. A statement from the agency:
“Today, McCann Erickson in San Francisco is taking the difficult step of notifying approximately 40 employees that their positions will be eliminated in December 2009. By providing affected employees 60 days of notice, we hope to give staff members time to transition, and the chance to seek new job opportunities.
“The San Francisco offices of McCann Erickson and T.A.G. have recently been awarded several new assignments. However, due to significant client revenue reductions in the last year, this decision was required to bring agency size in line with current business levels.”
Microsoft Loss Hurt
The final Microsoft blow came after a 6-month battle, was the Windows mobile account — now with Crispin.
A source familiar with the ins and outs of the agency informs us that this is probably the last round for the shop, which still has work for XBOX, HP and others. As mentioned in the statement, the T.A.G. unit is busy, we hear working on project Pink.
There’s also the addition of former TBWA North America president Robert LePlae, who joined McCann as head of North American operations. And Curt Detweiler, newly minted EVP ECD of McCann Erickson North America. Both are based out of San Francisco, despite their North America leadership roles (SF, LA, Detroit and Canada — New York has its own structure).
More: “McCann SF Sings Out of Tune”