Citing frustration with a major client, senior executive Brad Fogel says he is leaving Toronto-based Saatchi & Saatchi to take up a position with Hal Riney & Partners of San Francisco.

Fogel says he resigned for a number of reasons but primarily blames Saatchi client Toyota.

‘I felt a real lack of ability to do anything with Toyota. Toyota has the reputation as being a difficult client, and they are,’ he says.

Saatchi lost Toyota’s truck business to Toronto’s Dentsu Cadence Advertising at the end of 1995.

Fogel, who resigned from Saatchi & Saatchi earlier this month, had been senior vice-president, account director since January 1995, and lead person on the Toyota Canada business.

Fogel says a consultant is currently handling the Toyota business.