THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, July 13, 1994 TAG: 9407130453
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: D2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: By GAGE HARTER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 42 lines
In 1988, Lee Stewart dined with Larry Phillips and Bruce Mansfield at a Virginia Beach restaurant. It was a casual gathering filled with shop talk by the three advertising professionals.
Little did the three men know that each would be reacquainted, not through promotional campaigns or industry conventions, but by taking over each other's job.
Mansfield replaced Stewart at Barker Campbell & Farley in January. On July 5, Stewart became Davis & Co.'s new senior vice president and creative director.
He replaced Larry Phillips, who had been with the agency for 15 years and owned 25 percent of it. Phillips left to pursue personal interests.
``Talk about a small world,'' said Stewart. ``When Jerry (Davis) told me Larry was leaving, . . . I immediately thought about that dinner.''
Stewart joined an advertising agency on the rise. Davis & Co., formerly Davis & Phillips, has set profit records three years in a row.
According to company officials, the agency's Washington office is approaching $7.5 million in billings while the Norfolk office has added more than $1.2 million in new billings since May 1.
Davis & Co. has also recently added new accounts such as General Growth Management, a mall management company, and the city of Chesapeake's Economic Development Department.
Phillips is leaving to establish his own agency. The timing, he said, is right.
``The economy is on the upswing,'' Phillips said. ``I think a lot of companies are looking for smaller agencies with experienced people because of the costs.''
Davis, president of Davis and Co., and Phillips said the parting of the three men was friendly.
In fact, Davis said, no lawyers were involved. by CNB