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.