Starr Seigle lays off
7 percent of its force

Star-Bulletin staff

The state's largest advertising firm has laid off six people, about 7 percent of its work force.

Jim Boersema, a spokesman for Starr Seigle Communications, said the layoffs from a staff of about 80 were due partly to the company losing the advertising account for Ala Moana Center, Hawaii's largest mall.

Another contributing factor, he said, was that other large clients have pared their marketing budgets because of the sluggish economy.

Boersema said the layoffs will bring Starr Seigle's staffing to the same level it was seven months ago before the company picked up two major clients, Hawaiian Airlines and Kaiser Permanente.

The six were laid off this week and came from various parts of the business. "It's a step you have to take to operate a business in a responsible manner," Boersema said.

Starr Seigle handled Ala Moana's advertising and promotions for nearly 20 years. The advertising account is considered one of the state's largest, with annual billings of more than $1 million. Ogilvy & Mather takes over that account next month.

Starr Seigle still handles Ala Moana public relations.