Atkinson joins the company on 7 March and will report to commercial director Matt Shreeve.
Active International makes money by buying clients' underperforming stock in return for credit on services such as media, printing and conference facilities.
Atkinson has previously worked with Active International to secure corporate trade business within the cinema arena.
Shreeve said: "The fact she has worked with Active in the past will mean she will be able to quickly slot into the team and help us grow the business from the moment she joins."
Atkinson left DCM in November 2009, going on to work at recruitment agency Hamblyn Selection as recruitment director.
Active International hired Shreeve, a former head of agency sales at Channel 4, last May.
