Strategy chief Ling leaves I-Level

by Andrew McCormick Media Week 19-Feb-08, 17:50

LONDON - Digital media agency I-Level’s strategy development director Ed Ling is set to leave the agency after nine years.

Ling was the first member of staff to be employed by I-Level founders Andrew Walmsley and Charlie Dobres in 1999.

Since then Ling has built up a reputation as an expert in digital media, driving the strategy of I-Level as other media agencies have increasingly moved into the digital sector.

Ling is a member of a six-strong senior management team at I-Level, along with group managing director Faith Carthy, managing director Mark Creighton, non-executive chairman John Bartle and the two founders.

I-Level also brought PHD’s David Pattison in last year as chief executive.

In recent months the agency has lost high profile accounts including Sky and the AA but retains major clients including P&G, Orange, The Sun and Next. Another client, COI, is set to review its digital media relationships later this year.

Speculation has mounted about a sale of the independent agency, with Aegis and digital creative agency AKQA both reportedly in the frame as potential buyers.