MEC has promoted deputy managing director Paul Hutchinson to chief operating officer of the UK agency.

Hutchinson joined the company in 2010 as managing partner and head of communications, following three years at Vizeum. He will be responsible for communications planning, activation and investment teams, looking at relationships with media owners and third parties.

“The opportunity to change the model of how we deliver paid media solutions to clients, to enable us to increase our focus on data-driven, owned and earned solutions is incredibly exciting,” Hutchinson said.

“For the first time, we’re joining up the leadership of comms planning, activation and investment, helping us to focus our resources at the elements of our client’s customer journey where they have the biggest impact on purchase decisions.”

The role was previously held by Jason Dormieux: “In Paul, we have someone who has the talent and experience to ensure that we take full advantage of the exciting ways in which our market is developing for the benefit of our clients.”