Jakob Nielsen named MD of GroupM Interaction

In his new role, Nielsen will be responsible for overseeing all GroupM digital activity for WPP agencies in the UK, including MediaCom, Mindshare, Mediaedge:cia and Maxus.

Nielsen joins GroupM from Microsoft, where he held the position of regional sales director for Western Europe.

He joined Microsoft in 2002 as sales and trade marketing manager for MSN Denmark and prior to this, he was a salesman at software company Business IT.

Nielsen has also founded two digital marketing firms, QPeople and Handsoffmedia.

He said: "Leading GroupM Interaction in the UK is about working with great people to achieve impact in an enthralling market.

"I am looking forward to working with some of the best agencies in the business, with the opportunity to support and guide MediaCom, Mindshare, Mediaedge:cia and Maxus to leverage the scale we have as a group and deliver on our customers' expectations through innovation, forward thinking and creativity."

Nielsen will report to Nick Theakstone, chief executive of GroupM UK.

Theakstone said: "We are absolutely delighted to secure such a talented individual with such a broad skill set.

"Jakob will be a huge asset to our media companies and will undoubtedly help all of them further develop the Interaction offer, we are always seeking to reach the next level, grow our competitive advantage and continually over deliver to our clients. Jakob will help us to this."