Digital agency Holler loses 23 staff and its largest account: ‘We have every reason to be terrified’
Digital agency Holler has announced the loss of its biggest account, Audi Australia, and let go 23 staff members as a result.
In a blog post, the agency’s new bosses wrote: “We just lost our biggest account. We had to reduce headcount from thirty-five to twelve people. And on top of all that, we just went through a seismic leadership change. We have every reason to be terrified.”
The agency, owned by independent holding group IPMG, went from 35 staff members to 12 after Audi moved its account.
I’ve not worked with Holler and don’t know any of the people but just wanted to say a genuine “good luck” rebuilding. These are tough times but you’re down, not out and you’ll hopefully come back wiser for the experience and do things differently and better. “what doesn’t kill you……”
… “Missed”.
Very honest blog post and usually you’d expect the news to be swept under the rug so owning the message so publicly is brave.
At least they acted quickly, I’ve seen too many agency CEOs hold on to staff after a major loss, its as if their ego prevents them from admitting defeat. Inevitably, it ends up leading to bloated staffing structures, causing much bigger problems for the agency later on.. not good for anyone
Best of luck to the staff let go.. hopefully your skills will be useful at other agencies
If a single client accounts for two thirds of your business (based on this headcount reduction, anyway) you’re not so much an agency, more a hostage …
Sad to see, though.
Unfortunately, in our industry, the dance of accounts is a zero sum game. I don’t know Holler’s people either, but I genuinely wish them and the agency good luck and hope that things turn for better.
Merran Morton and team hope you can keep head high and rebuild moral.
I’ve worked with Holler. There are some smart, talented people there (and who have since moved on as well). Business aside, it’s tough. Whether you’re staying or going, our industry tends to forget we are still people – all the best however you are being affected.
This is just plain stupid and completely irresponsible of the leaders, and dumb. It kills the brand by being so open about failure. They have just put the nails in the coffin of the brand – so incredibly irresponsible.
^Dave, what kills a brand is ‘bullshit’. you can smell it. I’d say 5 years is a good run with an account such as Audi – unfortunately, as pointed out by others, when you have 2/3rds of your revenue coming from one client, such a downsizing is inevitable. The smart thing is they acted early, didn’t go the way of many other agencies who held on too long after loss. Feel for the team made redundant- it’s the way of the Adland. If you’ve worked in the industry for any significant period and haven’t been a victim, directly or indirectly, the day will come.
Wishing you guys all the best in being able to turn this around.