Next year's Beijing Olympics has improved employment
expectations in the media, public relations and advertising sectors
in Shanghai and beyond, a survey has shown.
Some two-thirds of the decision-makers in these fields in
Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan interviewed by Hudson, an
international recruitment and human resources services provider,
said they would increase their hiring because of the Games. In the
third quarter of last year, only 46 percent said they would.
These sectors saw the greatest increase in employment
expectations of all the industries covered.
Angie Eagan, general manager of Hudson Shanghai, told China
Daily that the closer Olympics Games is, the higher the
expectations.
"Much of this growth is driven by the demand for
Olympics-related marketing and publicity projects, which are now
moving into the implementation phase," she said.
Kellie Grimsley, managing consultant in advertising and
communications at the company, said that with the Games
approaching, sponsors, both international and local, are looking to
get the most out of their sponsorship dollars.
The growth in these sectors is mainly in China. But as many
companies in these fields are headquartered in Japan and Singapore,
the recruitment push has moved beyond national borders.
New media, such as digital and interactive advertising, which
have been expanding rapidly, have the strongest demand for
experienced candidates.
"Brands are now looking to leverage their marketing campaigns
through multiple channels, such as online, digital and mobile
platforms," Grimsley said.
"But there is still a shortage of qualified talent who can
understand the new marketing platforms."
Zhu Qingyang, secretary general of the Shanghai Human Resources
Consulting Association, said the Olympics is not the only major
event reflecting the city's economic strength and creating job
opportunities.
"The World Expo Shanghai 2010 is also bringing more and more job
opportunities too."
(China Daily July 27, 2007)