LONDON--Bite Communications has snapped up veteran digital journalist Justin Pearse for the newly-created role of head of innovation.

Pearse joins from Centaur title New Media Age, where he spent 12 years, most recently as editor. He has been hired, according to the firm, to bring a "deep knowledge" of digital to its clients.

“Justin’s experience will help in two ways: playing a key consultancy role in helping clients change the way they communicate and ensuring Bite itself stays one step ahead in the services it delivers,” said Kath Pooley, Bite's European MD.

“He will join our senior team in a new role created specifically to help us build new offerings and reach our network in a booming sector.

The hire is one of several that Bite has made over the past year to reshape its service offering, including the appointments of two other journalists: Ben Tudor and Nick Thorpe.