Hull close to quitting new job at The Square

Janet Hull, former Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA) advertising effectiveness director, is on the verge of leaving the advertising agency she joined only six weeks ago (MW February 11).

Hull, who joined integrated agency The Square at the beginning of April as managing director, is currently in New York in crisis talks over her future with the heads of parent agency Earle Palmer Brown (EPB). It is unclear whether Hull is in dispute over her lines of reporting, or the business targets set by EPB.

Hull left for the US last Monday and is scheduled to return on Friday. She is in talks with the agency’s group chief executive Jeb Brown and his number two, partner for business affairs Peter Schelfhaudt.

Schelfhaudt said on behalf of all three: “Together we are reviewing Janet’s role.”

In the UK, The Square deputy managing director Paul Sutton adds: “Janet is in talks in the US about her future with the company.” However, one senior figure in the agency says: “If I was a betting man I wouldn’t bet on her coming back.”

Hull replaced Garry Walton as managing director, and Sutton is tipped to replace her.

EPB bought The Square last September. The agency has billings of 30m. Its clients include British Steel, Rimmel, and Michelin.