Lowe managing director is linked to ‘Sampson’ ITV role

Lowe managing director Chris Hunton has been linked with the new ITV advertising development director role, which is similar to the one recently vacated by Justin Sampson.

It is understood that Hunton has had talks with the broadcaster about the role but it is not clear what stage the process has reached. It is believed headhunters have been briefed to find candidates for the post.

The ITV job is a new role created following the departure of director of customer relationship marketing Justin Sampson. His role has been scrapped and the new role will have wider responsibilities, including working closely with its viewer insight team, and on brand and segmentation. The appointee will report to ITV commercial director Ian McCulloch.

Hunton, who joined Lowe from Quiet Storm in February last year, has been through turbulent times with the agency. It has suffered a number of high profile reverses including the departure of the &£45m Tesco account to Red Brick Road.

Hunton is a former chief executive of McCann Erickson London but he took a six-month break from the industry before a four-month stint with Quiet Storm.

Hunton denies he has been in talks with ITV, and the broadcaster declined to comment on who has been interviewed for the role.