This week, the Salt Lake City office of IPG direct marketing agency MRM//McCann went through a round of layoffs due to unspecified business changes.
An agency spokesperson confirmed that the downsizing had occurred but declined to elaborate.
“Yes, our MRM//McCann Salt Lake City office recently made some adjustments in staffing levels and capabilities,” the spokesperson wrote. “Some good people will be leaving us and we are working with them to ensure the smoothest transition possible.”
According to the parties who alerted us to the news, just over 50 employees were affected. The reason for the move is unclear, though one source points to a change in the agency’s relationship with longtime client Sam’s Club. Reps for the retail chain have not yet responded to email queries regarding the account.
The office’s website includes several open job listings, and we do not have any specifics on who will be leaving.
The last major change at McCann’s direct division came about a year ago, when Verizon consolidated its FiOS work with indie shop Rauxa. MRM later parted with its CEO and several other top executives, and it has yet to name a new lead after naming McCann Worldgroup president of diversified agencies Bill Kolb to oversee its 40-plus offices around the world.