Publicis says no need for new GM

Malaysia - Publicis Malaysia will not be looking for a substitute for its former general manager Miguel Mercado, says CEO Shukri Rafaie.

Expressing confidence that it will not leave the agency feeling a pinch, Shukri said, "Our restructuring efforts late last year, in anticipation of his departure phased out slowly and smoothly so there is no need for a replacement."

Publicis is the sixth-largest Malaysian advertising agency and is a subsidiary of the French communications group Publicis Groupe SA.

After 11 years with Publicis Groupe in the Philippines, Thailand and Malaysia, Mercado recently hopped on board with independent agency J Romero & Associates as its managing director.

He will report to Andre S Khan, chairman of the agency.