COULDRY Jones has been appointed to handle the local advertising for Yves Saint Laurent, Liz Claiborne and Caren Pfleger.

The agency won the contracts following a credentials presentation to the board of the Imaginex Company, which holds the franchise for all three fashion brands.

Couldry Jones managing director Russell Jones said this appointment confirmed his view that international clients were moving towards the personalised service offered by smaller agencies.

He used the example of his agency's handling of local and international marketing for Pacific Place since the beginning of this year - a contract previously held by Dentsu Young & Rubicam.