The Irvine, Calif. Office of Bates USA, which a year ago had $275 million in billings and roughly 150 employees, closed Friday with 20 staffers and no clients. The decision to shut the office follows
the loss of the Cordiant-owned shop's largest account, Hyundai Motor America. Earlier this year Bates lost creative and media duties on the client's corporate account, with creative going to The
Richards Group in Dallas and media moving to Carat in Los Angeles. Bates relationship with the car maker officially ended Sept. 30 when its contract for the dealer portion of the account expired.
