MAINSTAY PRESIDENT LEAVES AGENCY
By Adnews Staff
Jay Parkes, president and one of the three founders of Mainstay Communications Inc., sold his interest in the Toronto-based agency and left to "pursue other interests" earlier this month. Norm Gordner, Mainstay's public relations vice-president and one of the remaining founders, said he believes Parkes left because "he'd had enough of cold-calling and trying to get new clients. He wanted to take on other challenges." While continuing to service its current clients, largely concentrated in the information technology industry, Gordner said Mainstay would like to make some changes. He said the agency's strategy for the future is three-pronged: position itself to handle multimedia projects; pick up firms that have an affinity for high-technology, but aren't necessarily information technology firms, such as bio-tech and pharmacology companies; and look for more business in the U.S. where the market is expanding.