BBDO Malaysia closes down.

After much speculation over the past week, and management keeping mum pending an official statement, BBDO Malaysia will now be closing down in the coming months. This will affect 21 staff.

Reportedly, the Chairman and CEO of BBDO Asia, Jean-Paul Burge, said they were moving forward instead. “It is clear to us China is growing in importance both as a market and as a regional hub, whilst Hong Kong and Malaysia are not.” 

So much for corporate ethos and vision/mission crap: The Work, The Work, The Work. 

When the going gets tough, stay out of the way. As the big bosses at HQ dictate destinies by remote.
 
“Cost savings (corporate speak for ‘cutting’) will be deployed across BBDO’s 12 other offices in the region.” 

Understandably, Ben Chew who joined BBDO Malaysia just seven months ago couldn’t be reached for comment. 

The agency’s recent work promoting the washing of hands was produced by BBDO Malaysia’s newly launched content studio Flare. 

Last week, the agency was said to be in busy pitching mode. But the writing on the wall became clearer yesterday. 

While we do not celebrate these developments as HOT NEWS, I fear this is only the beginning as more news of staff cuts become commonplace. 

BBDO Worldwide is the World’s Most Creative Agency Network, according to the latest WARC global Creative Rankings.