±±¾©Èü³µpk10

Adam Kirby is quitting as Bates Dorland’s top account man on its

Heinz and Superdrug business after just 15 months because of what he

says is his growing disillusionment with the state of the ad

industry.

Hired by Dorlands in November 1997 from Lowe Howard-Spink, where he ran

the high-profile Stella Artois account, he is leaving to spend a year

travelling the world with his girlfriend ’to refresh myself and get some

perspective on things’.

Kirby’s place on the Heinz account is being taken by Nick Gutfreund,

another former Lowes staffer, who joined Dorlands four months ago and

already runs the agency’s Center Parcs business. Responsibilities for

Superdrug have yet to be reassigned.

Kirby, 37, who told Graham Hinton, the Dorlands chairman, last year of

his intention to take time out, stressed his departure was not the

result of any problems at the agency.

’They’re a terrific bunch of people,’ he said. ’This is a personal

decision. I used to love my job. Now I don’t.’

Kirby, who has worked in marketing and advertising for 15 years, cited

what he claimed was a breakdown of trust between agencies and clients as

the reason for his decision to go.

’There needs to be a change in the way we do business with each other,’

he explained. ’Where are the relationships built on mutual trust?’

Kirby claimed advertising had become a commodity. ’It’s very dispiriting

when clients are not interested in what we’re saying. It’s become like a

World War One battle.’

He added: ’Clients have to understand that the vast majority of their

brand equities have been added by the skills of their agencies, which

need to be better rewarded. Everybody is at fault - but the industry

needs to sort it out.’

Kirby said he was undecided about a future return to the business.

’Maybe I need a year to make myself realise what I like about it.’