Recession stealing PR and ad agency jobs

Recession steals PR and ad agency jobs, But some firms are still hiring as downturn strikes uneven blows

David Ranii - Staff Writer
Published: Fri, Jan. 02, 2009

The recession is hitting Triangle public relations and advertising agencies, which have been cutting jobs as clients reduce their spending.

In the past month, Raleigh's Capstrat laid off six workers, and Durham's McKinney, the Triangle's largest ad agency, let go of eight. "The economy is affecting everybody, and we have to adjust for that," said David Chatham, senior vice president at Capstrat. The firm now has 87 employees.

Chatham said 2008 was Capstrat's "best year ever" in terms of revenue, but business slowed during the past three months as the economy soured and clients cut their spending budgets.

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