Kresser Stein Robaire Company

A high-ranking executive with Kresser Stein Robaire is leaving the Santa Monica advertising agency, formed in a merger eight months ago. Executive Vice President Hugh Duncan, 50, said Thursday that he is leaving to form his own firm, Duncan & Associates. Duncan said he had joined Kresser Stein's predecessor agency, Kresser/Craig, with "the expectation of running the company," but "the division of labor didn't pan out to my expectations."

Since losing Arco's gasoline stations and other key clients this summer, the Santa Monica advertising agency of Kresser Stein Robaire has been sputtering downhill. Two top executives quit, in what observers said was a clash of business styles. Many employees who created ads at the agency followed those executives out the door.

Since losing Arco's gasoline stations and other key clients this summer, the Santa Monica advertising agency of Kresser Stein Robaire has been sputtering downhill. Two top executives quit, in what observers said was a clash of business styles. Many employees who created ads at the agency followed those executives out the door.

A high-ranking executive with Kresser Stein Robaire is leaving the Santa Monica advertising agency, formed in a merger eight months ago. Executive Vice President Hugh Duncan, 50, said Thursday that he is leaving to form his own firm, Duncan & Associates. Duncan said he had joined Kresser Stein's predecessor agency, Kresser/Craig, with "the expectation of running the company," but "the division of labor didn't pan out to my expectations."