LONDON--Former Weber Shandwick digital strategist Mark Pinsent has joined Metia as social and content lead.

Pinsent leads a specialist team of social media consultants based in London, with access to Metia’s content, social, UX and digital development resources.

He joins the firm after departing Weber Shandwick at the end of 2012. Pinsent spent one year at the IPG agency as EMEA head of content and consumer social media. Previously, Pinsent has held senior roles at Shine Communications and Edelman.

 “We’ve worked alongside Mark in joint client activities for some ten years," said Steve Ellis, chief executive at Metia London. "Mark knows his specialist domain area inside out. More importantly he shares the same approach that we do. We both believe social and content channels should be used to build communities of customers and advocates, based upon a fair exchange of value between the organization and its audience.”

Metia’s customers for social and content driven programs include Microsoft, Dell, OB10, IDBS, Capco and Wattbike.

“The idea of joining a genuinely discipline and channel agnostic agency, that has the capability to build and run whatever program makes the most sense for the target audience is massively appealing," said Pinsent. "If I have learnt one thing in my recent experiences, it is that the audience should determine the shape of social and content programs, not the comfort zone of the agency."