CLOSE-UP: NEWSMAKER - CHRIS HUNTON. It's second time lucky for the new chief at McCann.(McCann-Erickson)

Chris Hunton may prove to be a perfect match for Ben Langdon, Glen Mutel writes.

Ben Langdon's decision to make Chris Hunton the new chief executive of McCann-Erickson was as predictable as his decision to overlook him for the same role last year was surprising.

Many an eyebrow was raised when Langdon handed the Saatchi & Saatchi veteran Tamara Ingram the job 12 months ago. But having burnt his fingers during that shortlived tenure, Langdon was unlikely to have looked outside the agency for a high-profile signing again.

Hunton has been at McCann for four years and had he not been given the top job this time around, the odds of him leaving would have mounted. 'In truth, only when I didn't get the job first time around did I realise how much I wanted it,' he admits.

Hunton is rumoured to have spent part of last year considering a change of network. His decision to stay loyal to McCann has been rewarded and his promotion is certainly a popular one. Phone anyone who knows him and they'll tell you what a nice guy he is. More significantly, they'll also mention his exceptional client-handling skills, his implausible enthusiasm and his gift for internal communications.

'Chris' heart is in the agency and he gets involved in every area of agency life,' WCRS's group marketing director and ex-colleague, Will Hamilton, says.

Langdon adds: 'He knows when we're in trouble with a client, when we've done a good bit of creative work and whether we've won or lost a bit of business.'