Publicis is reviewing the agency operations in London as its starts a consultation with the current staff that could lead to shitcanning some staff. It is expected to lead to at least ten people will get the axe if it comes down to it -- which means it probably will come to that conclusion.

The London-based senior suits are meeting with Publicis Groupe worldwide chief executive Richard Pinder next week to discuss the situation. Pinder says there maybe some layoffs but adds that some of the jobs may be relocated abroad.

All of this comes after Publicis retained the $200 million below the line HP account in the EMEA region after a marathon six-way pitch. They lost the advertising account they had held onto for 12 years back in January 2006.

Apparently Publicis promised HP that they'd re-jig the account to make some savings & "streamlining of costs" (read: people reporting to the unemployment line) in order to retain it.

Publicis London suffered a series of losses last year including Asda, MFI and The Post Office, which was a third of its billing. It led to the departure of then chief executive Grant Duncan and UK chairman Tim Lindsay. It later appointed former Vodafone marketer Neil Simpson as chief executive.