Affleck, who was an account director at Zed Media, will report to ZenithOptimedia chairman and chief strategic officer Derek Morris, and will take a lead in educating the agency's planners about digital.
"It's about creating planners that can do all things," Morris said. He added that Affleck would work with executive creative director Lucy Banks to install creativity and digital expertise into the planning teams.
Zed Media previously handled digital planning and buying for ZenithOptimedia. Zed also has digital-only accounts such as BT and Capital One.
The development of ZenithOptimedia's digital credentials is happening at the planning level and the two agencies will continue to share pooled buy for clients.
Online deals are handled by Mauricio Leon, buying director at Zed Media; while Chris Hayward, ZenithOptimedia's head of investment, oversees offline group buying.
Greg Grimmer, managing director of Zed Media, said the aim was to avoid "double teaming" its clients. He said staff at planner level had already moved between the agencies and there would be more movement in cases where clients expect a united account team.
Grimmer expects Affleck to "accelerate Zenith's digital education".
"He's there to drive the education of Zenith's planners," he said.
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