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Joining the company in early March, Garrity will be responsible for managing First Union's new advertising agency, San Francisco-based Hal Riney & Partners, and directing First Union's on-going image and product advertising initiatives. Garrity will report to Al Sale, First Union executive vice president and head of marketing.

"Over the past decade, First Union has evolved from a regional bank to a national financial services powerhouse. Many of the markets we serve are unaware of the breadth and depth of our service capabilities. We are no longer just a bank," said Sale. "Several months ago, we selected one of the nation's premier advertising agencies and now we have found the right executive to take First Union's advertising efforts to the next level."

Brad Iversen has directed First Union's advertising efforts since he joined the company in 1995. He now begins a new strategic customer acquisition initiative for the company.

"Brad has done a terrific job of managing the agency selection process, developing the initial brand campaign and was an integral part of our search for the advertising director. Jim brings strong brand experience, creativity, as well as a fresh perspective from the high technology industry. His talents will be an asset to our company," said Sale.

In his position at Compaq, Garrity directed the company's worldwide communications including brand positioning, marketing message strategy, advertising, public relations and worldwide web strategy and implementation.

Garrity led a series of broad communications initiatives that spearheaded the repositioning of Compaq including developing a global marketing council to address excellence in brand management, and strengthening Compaq's presence in worldwide events and sponsorships.

His team directed the efforts of several hundred agency partners including their North American advertising agency, Ammirati Puris Lintas; its public relations firm, Miller/Shandwick Technologies and its local advertising/promotion agency, Rives Carlberg.

Garrity also held various management positions with IBM Corp. including director of advertising, IBM United States. He was named among the top five most influential marketing executives in the high technology industry by Advertising Age Magazine in 1995 and 1996.

Garrity received a bachelor of science degree from Fairfield University. He serves as the vice chairman of the board of directors of the Association of National Advertisers, chairman of the Association of National Advertisers' New Technologies Committee, member of the board of directors of the Ad Council and member of Texas A&M University's International Students Advisory Board.

First Union Corp. is a full financial services provider with assets of approximately $140 billion. The company serves more than 12 million retail and commercial customers throughout the East Coast and the nation.

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