Gary Brandes has parted ways with dmb&b, Toronto, where he had been senior vice-president, co-managing director since Nov., 1993.

Brandes left dmb&b Feb. 20 when his contract, which expired in Dec., was not renewed.

He is in the process of forming, with several partners, a strategic communications planning shop expected to be in operation in about a month.

– Doug Ditchfield has been named managing director of Cormark Communications, of London, Ontario.

He will take over as president of the agency June 30, when Hans Jonckheere, president and founder of the 17-year-old firm, steps down.

Jonckheere will stay on as chairman until the summer.

Ditchfield joined the agency in January 1994 from Marketing & Promotion Group of Toronto.

– Doug Moxon has joined Cundari Group as managing director of its Ottawa office, which opened in January.

Moxon was most recently with Hewson Bridge & Smith of Ottawa and has worked in Toronto at dmb&b, DDB Needham and Enterprise Advertising.

– Michael Coates has been promoted to president and ceo of Hill and Knowlton Ottawa, replacing David MacNaughton who left to seek political office.

Coates has been with h&k for 12 years, most recently as executive vice-president, general manager.

Rick Anderson, former executive vice-president in Ottawa, has been appointed chairman.

– Raymond Bouchard has taken the helm at the Quebec City office of Montreal-based Sun Communications, a firm specializing in business-to-business communications.

Bouchard will also occupy the position of strategist, marketing and communications.