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Martha Greene, the managing director of Stark Films, is leaving the

company after eight years to pursue other business interests.

Rumours that Greene is poised to join Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO as its

head of television have been denied by sources at the agency.

However, it emerged this week that Greene has been in conversation with

the agency about a broad production role encompassing AMV’s possible

expansion into television and radio production and post-production, but

nothing has been confirmed.

AMV’s current head of television, Frank Lieberman, who has been in the

post since 1987, is expected to continue at the agency until he retires

in two years’ time and a decision on his successor will not be made

until next year.

Lieberman was appointed with a brief to improve the reputation of AMV’s

television department and, under him, the agency has produced a stream

of award-winning work for clients including the Economist, Famous

Grouse, Alka Seltzer and Volvo.

Greene’s departure makes room for the promotion of two existing staff at

Stark - Stephen Gash and Cathy Green - who will be joint managing

directors.

Jeff Stark, the director and founder of the production company,

commented: ’This is an amicable parting. Both Martha and I felt it was

time to move on.’

He added: ’Stephen will look after sales and administration, Cathy will

be the head of production and I’ll be more closely involved, especially

over the next few months.’

Greene - a high-calibre former Saatchi & Saatchi television producer

whose reel includes Hugh Hudson’s ’global’ epic for British Airways -

has been interested in returning to the agency scene for some time.

In 1995, she was due to rejoin Saatchis as the head of TV, replacing Jim

Baker, but the agency instead opted for an internal candidate, Mark

Hanrahan.

At the time, it was suggested that Greene’s close connections with key

figures in the Saatchi brothers’ breakaway agency counted against her,

as Charlotte Street managers were keen to appoint someone of proven

loyalty to ensure continuity.

Greene was unavailable to comment as ±±¾©Èü³µpk10 went to press.