London: Global digital marketing and technology agency LBi has appointed John Monks to head up its newly created Social Business Design offering. 

The specially created unit will have a pure-play consultancy function to aimed at helping businesses re-engineer themselves to better take advantage of new digital technologies.
Developed in-line with LBi's ability to blend strategic, creative, media and technical expertise to build business value for clients, the Social Business Design unit is aimed at helping brands become fully-fledged social businesses. 

LBi believes that in order to survive in the digital era, businesses need to undergo a fundamental cultural and behavioural shift. The Social Business Design practice has been set up to specifically help brands navigate the changing media landscape and embrace social media at an organisational level. The business unit will be led globally by John Monks, who joins LBi from Curve, the consulting firm he established in 2004. Monks has a strong background in business strategy and organisational design, as well as technology implementation and transformation.

Commenting on his appointment Monks said: "The digital and social media landscape is in a state of continuous flux. New devices, new channels and new technologies are having a profound effect on the ways in which we interact with each other, with brands and with businesses. For companies to thrive in this environment, technological and organisational change must be effected at a very deep level."

Anil Pillai, UK Chief Executive of LBi, added: "Social media has totally changed the dynamics of the relationship between a brand and its consumers.  It follows that companies increasingly need to reinvent themselves take advantage of emerging digital opportunities.
John has an impressive pedigree in this area and his appointment represents the first of many investments we're making to help condition our clients for success both today and tomorrow."

LBi is already engaged in a number of strategic partnerships aimed at helping clients take the next step on their digital journey.