In this newly created role, Smith will lead the Annalect Group, which includes Accuen, the group's real-time bidding solution headed by Matt Harty, as well as search agency Resolution.
Annalect aims to offer solutions that will help clients capture, organise and leverage data for marketing. While not new to Asia, a spokesperson for Omnicom group clarified that for the past year OMG has been working to "establish a concrete framework to house our digital and data assets and Annalect as an entity in line with our US and European operations".
"More and more clients are moving confidently into the data services space given the massive impact that well organised data solutions are having on our industry," said Smith. "Our powerful roster of talent in the region is improving the way we manage businesses every day.”
Smith's experience in the area of data and analytics has made him a natural choice for the role, Barry Cupples, CEO for Omnicom Media Group Asia-Pacific.
This, said Scott Hagedorn, global CEO of Annalect, will enable Smith to "make Annalect really happen in Asia."