(Porter Novelli client SoyJoy, big in Japan, not big in U.S., yet)

PRNewser checked with a number of sources following a tip about layoffs at Porter Novelli. According to the tipster, a first round of layoffs earlier this month hit partners and SVPs, with a second round hitting junior and mid-level staffers. Porter Novelli is a division of Omnicom (NYSE: OMC).

George Medici, VP of Media Relations and Christmas tree source has left the company.

I did reach Porter Novelli's Chief Client Officer Julie Winskie who told me "with candor and honesty" that this is not the case. According to Winskie, PN is in fact, hiring in some expected areas including social media, medical devices, and green tech to handle clients such as J&J, and Green Grid.

Porter Novelli is also looking for people to contribute to their work on the SoyJoy account in their Washington DC, and Los Angeles offices, though Winskie said the company is moving away from the traditional approach of staffing accounts and whole sectors regionally and creating an "agency without walls."

At press time, Porter Novelli lists 17 openings across 22 divisions and offices on its website.