• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, November 29, 2012

Horizon Media has tapped veteran cultural trendspotter Kirk Olson as director of the agency’s TrendSights operation, a new unit at the shop.
 
In his new role, Olson will create, develop and manage Horizon’s global trendspotting team, in a bid to further expand the agency’s expertise in consumer insights and analysis. Olson will report to Sheri Roder, Horizon Media’s Chief of Why, a group that identifies and tracks cultural and societal trends driving consumer behavior.
 
Previously, Olson was vice president of Ipsos’ Social Spaces unit, a social media research division. Prior to that, Olson held the position of director of strategy and insights at Passenger, a social brand intelligence firm. He was also vice president and consumer strategist at Iconoculture, the global consumer research and advisory firm. He’s worked for clients such as Target, Volvo, JP Morgan, Microsoft, Kraft Foods, Procter & Gamble, American Express.
 
“Kirk’s impressive background and extensive experience made him the clear choice for this critical role in a focal department of the agency,” stated Bill Koenigsberg, Horizon’s president and CEO.
 
Commenting on his new role, Olson stated: “It is very easy for clients to become so focused on their specific business needs and overlook the cultural context. As a media agency, putting things into context is central to how we deliver value.”
 
Olson added that “by weaving TrendSights into the work we already do in strategy, planning, and activation, we can tell a more complete story."

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