Advertising Age - People & Players

Pepsi Exec Kempczinski Takes New Job at Kraft

CHICAGO (AdAge.com) -- Chris Kempczinski, VP-marketing, non-carbonated beverages for Pepsi-Cola North America, is moving over to Kraft. He will start work Dec. 1 as senior VP-meals and enhancers, working on brands such as Mac & Cheese, Kraft salad dressings, Miracle Whip, Kraft mayonnaise and Grey Poupon.
Euro RSCG's John Margaritis Moves to Marcus Group; Jarvis Mak Expands Role at Havas

John Margaritis has joined the Marcus Group, an advertising, public relations and crisis-management agency, as senior VP. Jarvis Mak has been promoted from VP-U.S. director of research and insight to senior VP-global director of research and insight at Havas Digital. And other moves of the week.
Aflac Names Former QVC Exec CMO

NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- Insurer Aflac has named M. Jeffrey Charney, formerly of the home-shopping network QVC, its senior VP-chief marketing officer.
Joe Warren Joins MediaVest as Senior VP; Mike McKay to Head Creative at Saatchi, L.A.

Joe Warren became senior VP-group client director at MediaVest. Mr. Warren will serve as the overall strategic navigator for all Kraft brands in North America. Meanwhile, Saatchi & Saatchi, Los Angeles, tapped Goodby, Silverstein & Partners Creative Director Mike McKay as its new executive creative director. And other moves of the week.
Applebee's Hopes New Marketer Can Re-energize Chain

CHICAGO (AdAge.com) -- Applebee's, the biggest player in the casual-dining sector, said Rebeca M. Johnson is taking the marketing reins as senior VP-marketing.
Carnival Cruise Lines Names First CMO

NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- Carnival Cruise Lines has named Jim Berra senior VP-chief marketing officer, effective yesterday.
Ned Tolmach, Della Femina Co-Founder, Dies at 73
NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- Ned S. Tolmach, a creative who made an enduring mark during the "Mad Men" era, died Sunday at his home in Great Falls, Va., due to complications of lymphoma. He was 73.
Dave Damman Returns to Fallon; Kieran Hannon to Head Cooking.com

Dave Damman, famous for resurrecting Buddy Lee, is coming back to Fallon as group creative director. Mr. Damman worked for Fallon from 1999 to 2005, after which he co-founded his own agency, Damman Pearce. Plus other moves of the week.
Men's Journal Taps Francis Farrell; Publicis Modem Goes For John Rabasa

Patrick Vogt was named chairman and chief executive officer of Datran Media. He joined the digital-marketing technology company from Enliven Marketing Technologies, where he served as CEO since 2005. Prior to joining Enliven, Mr. Vogt spent time at brands such as Sony, Dell and HP.
Orbitz Worldwide Names New CMO

NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- Orbitz Worldwide has named Jeffrey Davidoff its first-ever global chief marketing officer. As part of his new duties, he will be responsible for offline and online marketing leadership for Orbitz's global portfolio of online travel brands.
Droga 5 Names Sarah Thompson as General Manager
NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- Sarah Thompson has been named general manager of New York-based independent shop Droga 5.
Ostrowski Set to Retire From Porter Novelli

NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- Helen Ostrowski, the first female CEO of a top 10 PR agency, is stepping down from her role as chairman of Porter Novelli at the end of the year.
Tom Calderone Takes Over as President at VH1

Among this week's promotions, Tom Calderone is taking over as president of VH1. He began his career at MTV Networks in 1998 as senior VP-music and talent programming for MTV and has served as exec VP-general manager of VH1 since 2005.
John Paulson to Head G2 Interactive in the U.S.

G2 Worldwide elevated John Paulson to CEO-G2 U.S. Formerly head of G2 Interactive, Mr. Paulson will now be responsible for G2's 10 U.S. offices, which offer services in direct, interactive, shopper, design, promotional marketing and data consulting. In a concurrent move, Wendy Lurrie joined G2 from DraftFCB, as president-G2 Direct & Digital, reporting to Mr. Paulson. Ms. Lurrie previously held executive positions at Grey Direct, which happens to be the predecessor to G2 Direct & Digital.
Howard Handler Will Head Marketing at EMI Music

Among other recent moves, Luane Kohnke was promoted to senior VP-managing director, analytics and accountability at R/GA. Search-engine-optimization agency SEO Logic hired Gene Daly as its new CEO. And Katrina Cukaj continued her nine-year career growth at CNN Advertising Sales with her recent promotion to senior VP-advertising sales.
Doner Hires New Creative Director for Mazda Account

NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- Steve Chavez, 47, will join Doner as exec VP-exec creative director overseeing work on the agency's Mazda account, the agency said. He will start Oct. 15 in the independent agency's home office in Southfield, Mich.
House Peters Jr., Mr. Clean Actor, Dies at 92
NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- House Peters Jr., the actor best remembered for his incarnation of the original Mr. Clean, died Wednesday of pneumonia at the Motion Picture and Television Fund Hospital in Los Angeles. He was 92.
Jeff Lanctot Promoted to CSO of Avenue A/Razorfish

Among this week's announcements, Jeff Lanctot was promoted from senior VP-global media to chief strategy officer at Avenue A/Razorfish.
Mike Svatek Moves to Bazaarvoice as VP

Mike Svatek was appointed to VP-product strategy at Bazaarvoice. He was previously VP-marketing and product management and a founding executive at Baynote.
Michael Welch Gets a Boost at Empower

Michael Welch was promoted from director-client strategy to VP-client strategy at Empower MediaMarketing.
Howard Zalkowitz Continues Rise at Turner as VP-Production


Heather Brunner Joins Bazaarvoice as VP; Michael Lorelli named CEO of Water-Jel

Bazaarvoice appointed Heather Brunner senior VP-worldwide client services. Prior to joining Bazaarvoice, she served as president-CEO of Nuvo, a subsidiary of Trilogy.
Research Organization Honors Adman

NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- When Chuck Peebler, retired chairman emeritus of True North Communications and an icon in the advertising world, was diagnosed with a rare neurological brain disease, he used his ad acumen to support research to find a cure. Earlier this summer, his efforts were recognized by CurePSP, an organization developed to fight the disease, at his home in Hailey, Idaho.
Kevin Beisler Moves from RCA to BMG; Lester Feintuck Appointed CFO of AKQA

BMG Label Group named Kevin Beisler senior VP-development, film, TV and theater. He previously served as senior VP-special programming and publicity at RCA Music Group.
People on the Move

Mark Miller was promoted to president-CEO of RMG Connect, JWT's global digital- and relationship-marketing network, where he will oversee U.S. and Canadian operations.
People on the Move

Specialized Marketing Services added Clarke Beauchamp to its team as VP-business development, and appointed Doug Sprague VP-strategic development. Mr. Beauchamp most recently served as VP-sales for Freedom Communications' specialty publications group.
People on the Move

Lisa Mogensen joined Forbes.com as chief financial officer. She most recently served as chairman-founder of LAM Endeavors, where she launched the luxury-dining website TravelsinTaste.com.
People on the Move

Turner Broadcasting System named veteran sales executive Jon Diament exec VP-Turner Sports ad sales and marketing. Meanwhile, Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital appointed Andrea Ching to the newly created position of VP-marketing and promotions, entertainment digital.
People on the Move

Among promotions this week, Comcast Entertainment Group appointed David A. Palmer to senior VP-brand development and talent alliances. Meanwhile, Comcast Spotlight, the advertising sales division of Comcast Cable, announced that Lucette Mercer was promoted from senior director-research to VP-sales research; Adam LaRose expanded his role from VP-operations to VP-technology and operations; and Rob Klippel was elevated from VP-operations to VP-technical operations and advanced advertising trials.
A-B's Top Marketing Brass to Stay On
CHICAGO (AdAge.com) -- Armed with InBev's assurances -- and generous retention bonuses -- A-B's top marketing executives are sticking around under the new regime.