• by Gavin O'Malley  @mp_gavin, January 15, 2007

As reported earlier this month by OMMA Magazine, independent agency AKQA has hired Scott Symonds to serve as executive media director. The shop confirmed the appointment Friday.

Symonds, 38, comes from Agency.com, where he most recently was media director in its San Francisco office. At AKQA, Symonds is filling the position left open when Christine Bensen left last February to join Digitas' Modem Media unit. At Agency.com, Symonds worked on a variety of accounts, including eBay, 21st Century Insurance, and Wells Fargo.

For Agency.com, the move marks another in a series of recent defections. Late last year, Eric Valk Peterson, managing partner of Agency.com's New York office, and Alan Burgis, his counterpart in San Francisco, resigned. Earlier in the year, the Omnicom Group shop lost its president and CEO, Don Scales, over what the company said were "strategic differences."

Symonds serves as a member of the Agency Council at Google, Yahoo and Advertising.com. "We are thrilled to have Scott join AKQA. He's a recognized leader in the industry and his online media and search background will be a tremendous asset as we continue to grow our media offering," said Andrew O'Dell, president of interactive advertising at AKQA, in a statement.

AKQA recently was named Agency of the Year by OMMA Magazine.