Proximity Canada has created a new position – VP, social strategy – and found the person to fill it, David Jones.

Jones, 40, a PR professional and social media expert, is joining Proximity after three years at Hill & Knowlton Toronto, where he was VP, group leader, digital communications, and part of the global digital team. The position was created following agency growth and new account wins, a spokesperson for the agency told MiC.

Near the end of his first day on the job, he tells MiC that the new gig will involve him adding to the social capabilities of Proximity and its clients.

‘The idea is to use these tools smarter, in a much more strategic way, and bring some insights to our clients so they can make the right decision. Then help them execute within the social space in a much smarter way,’ he says.

Jones has worked in public relations, marketing and communications for over 18 years, and he keeps a blog, DaveJones.ca, on which he discusses the evolution of social media.

‘Five years ago we weren’t even thinking much about it,’ he says. ‘I think it’s part of the fun aspect of a position like this. As much as everybody’s heard of social media or at least many of the tools, it’s still really new. It’s in its infancy.’

As for what he sees arriving in the near future on the social media scene, he’s pinpointed two main points of interest.

‘If I have to pick up a couple of trends I think will reshape the way we think about social media, it’s definitely mobile and the growth of mobile computing and what that means in the social world, coupled with geo-location-based aspects,’ he says.

Jones has also worked for Fleishman-Hillard and Thornley Fallis.