Collister will be starting as head of digital for the consumer practice in November and will report to Weber Shandwick Consumer's managing director, Scott Wilson.
Weber Shandwick has a digital division, led by James Warren, but this is the first time the agency will have a head of digital for one of its sectors.
Wilson said that if having a digital specialist works well for the consumer practice, in six months to a year's time other Weber Shandwick practices might follow suit.
Collister spent 18 months at Edelman, where he advised clients such as London 2012 and Inbev on social and new media issues. As head of digital at Weber Shandwick Consumer Collister will be working with brands including Samsung and Harley-Davidson.