Mindshare has announced the integration of Amsterdam-based SocialMedia8 into the agency. Following the move, SocialMedia8’s founder Igor Beuker has been named Mindshare’s first global chief social officer.
SocialMedia8 will add social commerce, social TV, social gaming, social search and social CRM capabilities to Mindshare’s portfolio of social media services, according to an official statement from Mindshare.
Beuker will take up the newly created role with immediate effect, reporting to Norm Johnston, Global Digital Leader at Mindshare Worldwide. Beuker was previously chief marketing officer at Scoot, TeliaSonera and Telefonica O2. He also founded community agency LaComunidad and social videometrics firm ViralTracker, before setting up SocialMedia8.
The agency has also hired social agency M80’s managing director Mark Evans as managing director, social team, for North America. In previous assignments, Evans has served as vice president, digital, at Catapult Marketing; and as digital brand director at Euro RSCG.
Nick Emery, CEO, Mindshare Worldwide, said, “There is a lot of talk in this space and few experts, even fewer who can translate what they do into integrated business plans for progressive clients. We are putting our money where our mouth is when it comes to social media. Both Igor and his team and Mark bring with them a wealth of experience in actioning both effective and creative solutions.”
