HONG KONG: Tony Tse has quit the Hong Kong Tourism Board only a
month after being promoted to general manager of corporate
communications and PR.
Tse, who left last week, declined to comment on the reasons for his
decision, but confirmed that he would return to his advertising
roots.
Katherine Ma, HKTB senior manager of PR, said a search would be
conducted both internally and externally for Tse's successor.
His remit at the HKTB included managing the newly merged 23-strong
marketing communications and PR departments.
The board's executive director Clara Chong will be taking over Tse's
responsibilities until a replacement is found.
Tse was named general manager of corporate communications and PR - the
most senior communications post at the HKTB - amid a major reshuffle
last month (PRWeek, August 24).
Twenty-seven staff were made redundant in the restructure, including PR
manager for long-haul markets Stephen Wong and manager of publications
George Wang.
Ma denied Tse's departure was related to the lay-offs and the new
structure of the department. 'I'd characterise it (his resignation) as a
personal decision,' said Ma.
'He indicated an interest in going back to his original profession in
advertising. It's something he's very fond of,' he added.
Tse joined HKTB as general manager of marketing communications in 1998,
leaving his position as managing director of Ogilvy & Mather advertising
in Hong Kong.
In May, the HKTB launched the second round of its 'City of Life'
campaign- which focuses on the city's heritage - with a global PR spend
of £2.8m (PRWeek, 11 May).
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