PR bloodbath just around the corner?

An article in PR Week is warning that the UK PR industry could see headcount reduced by 1,164 people over the coming 12 months.

Now, that's just over one per agency surveyed by Plimsoll Analysis. And when put like that it doesn't sound much.

Clearly Plimsoll has punted out this headline stat in an attempt to stir interest in its report which it claims has analysed the chances of survival of each of 1,000 UK PR agencies.

Of course if this comes to pass it won't be spread evenly, certainly the tech PR sector seems in fairly rude health at present. Most agencies still appear to be recruiting as far I can tell.

In attempt to tease out some sales, the report adds: "Plimsoll also claims that 116 companies need to consolidate immediately, or their survival is in question. Some of these firms could see 30 per cent of their workforce go as they try to stay in the market."

So 11 per cent of businesses in the sector could run into trouble this year and their struggles would represent the bulk of the lay-offs in the sector? So that's not really all that worrying then in the grand scheme of things.

But for anybody who is worried, I'd suggest shelling out your hard-earned cash for pretty speculative reports would definitely be an expenditure worth reining in.