Eddie Black has left Saffer Group, of Toronto, and is said to be pursuing interests in the retail field.

John Auriemma, the agency’s executive vice-president and managing director, says Black, a former Saffer client when he was president of Black Photo, was brought in as president of Saffer in June 1993 on an interim basis only.

He says Black, having completed his mandate to cut staff and rebuild the agency’s client base, left earlier this year.

Black could not be reached for comment.

In February 1993, Saffer Advertising sought protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangements Act and by June had rearranged its finances to the satisfaction of its creditors.

Two months later, Morris Saffer, chairman of the retail agency, sold his 50% interest in Saffer/Cravit of Chicago to David Cravit.

Then, in October, the agency announced that Black and Auriemma had become partners in the newly renamed Saffer Group.

The agency recently picked up two new u.s. accounts, the McRaes and Profitts department stores, which, combined, have more than 100 stores in seven states.