Directors quit IMP to set up shop

Sales promotion agency IMP is losing two of its top directors because they are leaving to set up their own agency.

IMP creative director Stew- art Rose and board director Richard Church are establishing their own operation within the DMB&B Group. The rationale is to enable the as yet un-named new agency to pitch for business which IMP cannot take on because of client conflict.

Rose and Church represent the old guard at IMP. They have been at the agency longer than any other staff members.

The agency has suffered a high turnover of staff recently. It is understood that during the last year there has been a 60 per cent turnover in account management employees.

Sources close to IMP say the new operation will not be taking any IMP clients. The agency will initially work on below-the-line business that IMP is unable to handle.

With the departure of Rose and Church, the IMP structure will become less top heavy. Rose reported to executive creative director Andy Blackford and Church to managing director John Quarry, chief executive Alan Thompson and chairman John Farrell.

Earlier this year, Farrell was promoted to DMB&B Group chairman.