Adams is currently MD and head of media and communications at the Geneva headquarters of the World Economic Forum. He will be starting at the IOC at the end of May.
Commenting on the appointment IOC president Jacques Rogge said that Adams has a good understanding of the communications challenges facing big organisations and his creativity in ‘finding innovative ways to reach out to young people will be a strong asset'.
Adams, a former journalist, worked for BBC radio, before moving to ITN/ITV. Prior to his role at the World Economic Forum, Adams was editorial director of the channel Euronews in Lyon, France.
Adams replaces Giselle Davies who left the IOC last year after the Beijing Olympics.