[img_assist|nid=25522|title=|desc=|link=popup|align=left|width=150|height=150]The MMA has elected its new UK advisory board which will be led by Stephen Upstone, CEO of LoopMe.

He takes over from Alex Meisl, chairman of Sponge, who served as MMA chair from 2008. Simon Birkenhead, director of global advertising sales at Telefonica, will serve as vice chair. The board has split into four committees focusing on: the publication of industry data, which will be led by ComScore, building a training programme, communications and events. The MMA Forum returns to London in November 2013 and brands like Coca-Cola, Unilever and IBM have already been secured for this.

“With the UK one of the leading regions in smartphone adoption and mobile advertising in particular showing significant growth of late, it is a crucial time for industry influencers to work together to drive the evolution of mobile,” said Stephen Upstone, MMA UK advisory board chair. “The MMA plays a pivotal role in this, bringing together individuals from across the ecosystem and I look forward to working with my new colleagues to develop strategies, standards and education pieces to drive this forward over the coming months.”
The full list of board members:

• Paul O’Grady, communications planning manager, Unilever
• Stephen Jenkins, marketing director, EMEA, Millennial Media
• Alex Meisl, chairman and co-founder, Sponge
• Mick Rigby, managing director, Yodel Mobile
• Alex Klose, head of marketing, IMI Mobile
• Nick Marsh, VP sales and publisher development, EMEA, Mojiva
• Stephanie Griffiths, director of mobile, Wunderman
• Andrew French, global trading director, Somo
• Hesham Al-Jehani, product manager mobile, Comscore
• David Hendry, director, Catch 33
• George Dixon, mobile and digital media manager, Mediacom
• James Connelly, co-founder and managing director, Fetch

All members will serve for a minimum of 12 months.