Omnicom Blocks Merkley Exits

Three partners at Merkley Newman Harty & Partners nearly left last week for senior roles at Grey, but Merk ley parent Omnicom Group refused to release them from their contracts, said sources.

Andy Hirsch, an executive creative director at Merkley, would have become president of Grey’s New York office, reporting to current president Steve Blamer, who was to become CEO, said sources. Alex Gellert, co-managing director at Merkley, would have steered client services, and Randy Saitta, another ecd, would have filled the top creative post, sources said.

Instead, the trio most closely associated with Merkley’s Mercedes-Benz business will stay at the New York shop, with the promise of what they sought at Grey: the opportunity to shape and lead the agency, sources said.