Andy Krupski has surprised the industry and his superiors at New York-based Grey Advertising network by stepping down as president and CEO of Toronto-based Grey Canada, a post he has held since joining the agency in April 1995.

His resignation, for what he says are ‘personal reasons’, is effective immediately, although he will remain as a consultant.

Krupski moved to Grey after a year as vice-chairman of Prism Communications (now Bozell Retail). Before that, he spent 12 years with J. Walter Thompson, the last four as president and CEO.

During his tenure at Grey, Krupski took the agency beyond traditional advertising into a broader base of communications. He did so by expanding its interactive, new media and direct capabilities, by joining forces with Media Buying Services of Toronto to form The Media Company/MBS, and by adding brand consultancy War Paint Brand Directions.

Grey Canada reported gross revenues of more than $22 million in 1997.

There are no plans to replace Krupski.

A management committee comprising the heads of its Toronto-based divisions will run Grey Canada.

This group includes Sachi Mukerji, president of Grey Direct; Tony Russell, CEO of Grey Interactive; Brian Bolshin, COO of Kelley Advertising and VP, director of strategic planning at Grey; David Edward, managing partner of War Paint Brand Directions; Elizabeth Jackson, vice-president, director of client services for Grey Advertising; Peter Weis, senior vice-president, national creative director of Grey Canada, and its senior vice-president and CFO, Paul Dunlop.