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Andrew Stracey, a founding partner of the direct marketing agency

Payne Stracey, which merged with Tequila in November 1998, has

resigned.

His exit had been expected for some months, with speculation fuelled by

the resignation last year of his long-time business partner, David

Payne, to become chairman of the Institute of Direct Marketing and a

freelance consultant.

Stracey, the vice-chairman of Tequila Payne Stracey, was the last

remaining senior manager to have come from the Payne Stracey side. Since

the merger Ben Stephens, the joint managing director, has joined Rapier

as its managing director and Mike Cavers, the joint creative director,

has left to become the European creative director for Nissan at TBWA in

Amsterdam.

A prepared statement read: ’During the last year, as vice-chairman of

Tequila Payne Stracey, Andrew has made a valuable contribution to the

agency in helping to develop the strategic areas of client service, in

particular the Weight Watchers account and deputising for Tom Wass.’

Jane Asscher, the chief executive of Tequila Payne Stracey, added:

’Andrew has put a tremendous amount of hard work and effort into the

agency and he leaves the company in great shape for 2000. We wish him

well for the future.’