Pointing to a need for agencies to keep pace with digital and marketing technologies, Mediaedge:cia has hired Julian Smith, former advertising and marketing analyst at JupiterResearch, as its director of digital insight and research, reports Revolution magazine. At Jupiter, Smith was European online advertising and marketing analyst.

Smith starts at Mediaedge:cia on July 10, and will head efforts to identify trends in digital media and assist in the development of marketing communications across MEC's Interaction and Medialab divisions.

"By providing a greater understanding of the digital future, I hope to help deliver improved integrated solutions for our clients," Smith is quoted as saying.