Changing the face of Ayer

The face of Ayer is about to undergo change as the influence of Richard Humphreys, the leader of the international investment group that bought a major stake in the 124-year-old private agency in March, begins to be felt.
Sources familiar with the situation said Humphreys is currently looking for high-powered executives in the U.S. and abroad to assume top management positions at the $1.5-billion agency.
Meanwhile, change has already come to the agency among the rank and file as last week Ayer laid off roughly 5% of the staff–or about 30 employees–at its flagship New York office.