Tony Houghton has accepted an irresistible offer and will start the new year as president of Hal Riney & Partners, San Francisco.

Houghton, who is chairman and chief executive officer of Leo Burnett in Toronto, replaces Riney co-founder James Travis, who will become vice-chairman of the firm.

Joe O’Neill, former executive vice-president, general manager of the New York office, has been named national creative director for the agency, assuming the duties of Riney, who keeps the titles chairman and chief executive officer.

Houghton, who will be replaced at Leo Burnett by Jim McKenzie, currently president and chief financial officer, started with the agency seven years ago as.

Before joining Burnett, he spent 21 years with Ogilvy & Mather offices around the world, joining the Toronto operation in 1975 as creative director.

Martin Shewchuk, senior vice-president, creative director at Leo Burnett, takes over as chief creative officer.