Simon Heath has been appointed director at Birmingham-based Friend Digital.

He joins managing director and online marketing expert, Chris Tomlinson, at the recently launched digital marketing agency. The duo previously worked together at Sutton Coldfield advertising agency WAA.

Simon joins from Leamington-based Freestyle Interactive, the largest full service digital agency outside London, where he was responsible for campaign planning and new business.

In his13 years in the integrated marketing sector he has advised clients including American Express, Marks & Spencer, The Times, Barclays, Autotrader, Lloyds TSB and BT, and has worked for large agencies in London and the West Midlands, including Proximity and Lowe as well as in-house for Virgin Trains.

At Friend Simon will be responsible for client services, digital marketing strategy and campaign planning.

The consultancy is the first social influence marketing consultancy in the Midlands. It provides digital marketing strategies and consultancy, and delivers social media and online PR campaigns.

Simon said: “We aim to work with clients to develop their social media presence. The rise of consumer influence means that brands will suffer if they don’t engage and converse with their audiences online.

Working with clients directly and alongside agencies we aim to give businesses and brands a voice in the social media space delivering measurable commercial results.”