Symonds

With ad budgets migrating to digital channels, AKQA has tapped Agency.com vet Scott Symonds to command its 18-strong media department.

According to AdAge, the agency will expand its planning and buying into new areas such as search, wireless and outdoor. One of the first areas Symonds has targeted is search advertising, particularly for use beyond direct response.

"I'm very interested in search from more of a brand standpoint," Symonds said.

"We believe the two, creative and media, should go hand in hand. They should be sitting at the same table and that's what our clients are asking for," said Andrew O'Dell, AKQA's president of interactive advertising.