decided to team up and share office space and the clerical side of their operations.

Ben Fairn, vice president of client services at Aardvark Communications, and Emma Mitchell, of The Really Good Communications Company (formerly Harris & Mitchell Associates), both feel that the move would result in increased creativity.

"By pooling these activities, everyone can put more time, energy and creativity into serving clients,'' said Mr. Fairn.

"In this business what we have to sell is creativity and communication'' said Ms Mitchell. "Together we can offer clients more than anyone could offer alone.

"For me this has been the culmination of a dream in which people with many and varied talents work together in a single creative space,'' she added.

"Creative people both need and value the opportunity to interact and inspire each other. The sort of energy we're developing here is the fuel that keeps the creative motor running.'' The two companies will combine their accounting functions along with their other support services. The flexibility of the new arrangement also allows them to work as a single group on large or complex projects.

A release from both companies described the joint venture as "a competitive alliance''.

Both companies will maintain their names and will operate from the ground floor of Melbourne House on Victoria Street.