• by Joe Mandese  @mp_joemandese, May 5, 2010

GroupM’s Kinetic Worldwide unit just announced the formation of “Kinetic Futures,� a new global group focusing on the “long-term horizon of the media and marketing business.� Describing it as a “think tank,� the agency said the new unit will, “explore the impact of changing consumer behavior, increasingly ubiquitous technology, and proliferating data on the future of communications and commerce.�

GroupM said Jeremy O'Brien has been named managing director and global futurist and head of the new unit.

GroupM described O’Brien as “a veteran of the communications industry,� and said he brings a global perspective to the job.