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The production company Blink is parting from its off-shoot Stink and is losing one of its award-winning directors, Ivan Zacharias.

Blink has represented the Czech director since 1995 through an agreement with Stillking in Prague.

It is understood that Zacharias sees Stink as a younger, more creative company and now wishes to be represented there. There has also been increasing internal competition between the two companies as Stink seeks work in the UK market and Blink abroad.

'Separating the two companies allows us to take Blink internationally and allows Zacharias to concentrate on Stink and so raise its profile in London,' James Studholme, Blink's managing director, said.

Zacharias has picked up several awards for his Land Rover 'born free' ad for WCRS, including a gold lion at Cannes. He also directed the 'catisfaction' campaign for Whiskas and more recently, the VW Beetle 'smile' ad through BMP DDB.

Blink was co-founded in 1987 by James Studholme, a former production manager for Tony Kaye, and the director Bob Lawrie. Its roster of directors includes Dominic Murphy, who directed the latest Johnnie Walker and Rolling Rock ads, the comedy director Mark Denton, Doug Foster and Trevor Melvin.

Stink was co-founded by Blink and Stillking to secure international work for its own and Blink's roster. It is managed by Daniel Bergmann, who is a partner in the company along with Zacharias and Studholme.

Some of its recent work has included eurosport.com through Laurence Hamburger and Bahlsen and Fiat through Pep Bosch.