A survey has shown next year’s Beijing Olympics have improved employment expectations in the media, public relations and advertising sectors in Shanghai and beyond.

Hudson, an international recruitment and human resources services provider, said some tow thirds of the companies interviewed that worked in these fields in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan interviewed, said they would increase their hiring because of the Games.

Angie Eagan, general manager of Hudson Shanghai, told China Daily that the closer Olympics Games come to happening, the higher the expectations.

She said, ‘Much of this growth is driven by the demand for Olympics-related marketing and publicity projects, which are now moving into the implementation phase.’

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.

Kellie Grimsley said, ‘Brands are now looking to leverage their marketing campaigns through multiple channels, such as online, digital and mobile platforms. But there is still a shortage of qualified talents who can understand the new marketing platforms.’

Our illustration is of a person who has apparently had his body tattooed with Olympic pictograms. It is not clearly known what area of employment he currently seeks.

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.

He said, with great truth, ‘The World Expo Shanghai 2010 is also bringing more and more job opportunities too.’ At the moment the Olympics over-shadow the World Expo but shortly after the Olympics finish, interest in the World Expo will boom.
Source: China Daily View