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Rita Clifton, who quit her long-standing role as executive planning

director at Saatchi & Saatchi last week, is to become the chief

executive of Interbrand Newell & Sorrell, the new brand identity

consultancy.

Clifton will be responsible for developing the new UK company, formed

earlier this month by the merger of the brand consultancy, Interbrand,

with design specialists, Newell & Sorrell.

’This is a perfect job for a planning director,’ Clifton said. ’The

Saatchi brand is so addictive that I was never tempted to go to another

agency, but Interbrand and Newell & Sorrell are fantastic companies, and

the new job will enable me to use my analytical and creative skills in

bringing brands to life.’

Looking after a staff of 200 and a turnover of pounds 20 million,

Clifton will report to the company’s chairman, John Sorrell, in the UK,

and internationally to Charles Brymer, the US-based chief executive of

the Interbrand group.

Brymer said: ’Rita stood out for her experience, intuitiveness and

vision for the future. She will have to wear a number of hats - as an

inspiring motivator, a day-to-day manager, a quality controller and a

contact for clients.’

Clifton, 39, who started as a graduate trainee at D’Arcy-MacManus &

Masius, joined Saatchis as a strategic planner in 1986.