• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, October 31, 2012

Like many sectors in the Eastern U.S. hit by Hurricane Sandy, Adland was slowly getting back to work Wednesday. But it was far from business as usual.

Some agencies were open, while others remained closed. Just about all shops were encouraging staff to make their own calls about working from home, based on safety issues and transportation realities. Most mass transit lines in the New York metropolitan area remained closed Wednesday.

Interpublic Group sent a memo to employees Wednesday stating that corporate offices would re-open Thursday after being closed the first three days of the week. But the holding company stressed: “We encourage employees to work from home if they can and only come into the office if it is necessary,” noting the numerous traffic issues and transportation modes that remain suspended.

An IPG rep said agencies have different policies case by case, but are also encouraging caution.  Some shops located in Lower Manhattan, where electrical power is still out, will remain closed.

The same is true for MDC Partners agencies. “Most are up and running” with many employees working from home, a holding company rep confirmed. But a few shops  in the power outage zone remain closed. However, the company’s corporate headquarters in New York is open and some agency personnel are camped there for the time being.

Sibling agencies that are open are providing some work space for shops that remain closed, the rep said.
Reps at WPP’s GroupM and Publicis Groupe’s MediaVest said their agencies were open Wednesday, but that many employees were also working from home.