Les Stern, the executive planning director of Bates Dorland, is being
appointed the agency’s second-in-command under its chairman, Graham
Hinton.
His promotion is partly in response to the extra burdens likely to be
placed on Hinton after his probable election as president of the
Institute of Practitioners in Advertising later this year. It was not
prompted, Dorlands sources insisted this week, by the high-profile
departure of the Dorlands group chief executive, Paul Twivy, who is
currently suing the agency for wrongful dismissal (Campaign, 18
October).
Stern, 47, will retain his planning responsibilities as well as his
title of worldwide planning director for the Bates network.
Hinton said: ‘I felt I needed a proper deputy and this appointment
recognises Les’s important contribution to Dorlands over several years.’
Stern will chair meetings of the Dorlands board and executive committee
meetings in Hinton’s absence and ensure the agency is responsive to
client needs.
Stern, who joined Dorlands from WCRS seven years ago, is regarded as a
driving force at the agency, and was one of the architects behind its
renaissance during the early 90s. He is also one of the most trusted
lieutenants of Michael Bungey, the Bates worldwide chairman.
However, it is believed Stern has not been comfortable with his
international planning role which is limited because of the few genuine
international accounts held by the network.
Stern commented: ‘It hasn’t always been plain sailing here, but Graham
is somebody who will make us punch our weight.’
