November 29, 2016
TV/Video
Nina Diaz has been named head of unscripted at MTV, in addition to her role as executive vice president and head of reality programming at VH1. The move comes a day after executive vice president of original content Michael Klein left his position after eight months.
El Rey Network has promoted Skip Chaisson to chief creative officer, working with the cable network and its digital and social channels. Chaisson had been senior vice president of creative and on-air promotion.
Spike TV has named Chaz Gray executive producer of current, a newly created position on the network’s original series team. Gray previously produced a number of shows, including “Top Chef” and “The Real Housewives of Orange County.”
Discover Channel has cast Paul Bettany as “Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski in its upcoming project “Manifesto,” which is produced by Kevin Spacey and Dana Brunetti. Bettany most recently appeared in the movie “Captain America: Civil War.”
CBS All Access has added Doug Jones and Anthony Rapp to the cast of “Star Trek: Discovery,” joining previously announced cast member Michelle Yeoh. The new version of “Trek” is scheduled to premiere in May of 2017.
Agencies
JWT has made a handful of moves, including promoting James Whitehead to chief executive officer at JWT London and Joe Petyan to European regional director. Both were previously executive partners at the agency. The agency has also made a number of other moves, hiring Emma Hoyle as director of talent for JWT London and Europe, and Allan Blair as head of digital planning. Finally, JWT has also made two other promotions, naming Kate Muir head of new business for the UK and Europe and Simone Forster director of client partnerships.
Music-based agency MassiveMusic has named Watt White creative director, working in the company’s New York office. White was previously composer and track director at Pirate New York, as well as creative director at Sticky Audio Labs.
Thiago Carvalho has been named creative director at Translation, working across the agency’s clients. Carvalho was previously a creative director at DDB New York.
Magazines
Online golf magazine The Grain has bought in Susan Fornoff as a senior editor, working with its Women in Golf section. Fornoff was previously a writer, editor and publisher at Blue Coast Media Group.
Newspapers
Reuters has made a pair of recent promotions, naming Paul Thomasch top news editor for the Americas and Ed Tobin deputy top news editor for the Americas. Both have been with the company since 1998.
Also at Reuters, the company has named Anna Irrera a reporter, covering the connection between finance and technology. Irrera previously wrote about trade and technology for Dow Jones.
The Des Moines Register has promoted Carol Hunter to executive editor, replacing Amalie Nash, who is now west region executive editor for parent company Gannett. Hunter had been news director at the newspaper.
Digital
Frank Cooper, chief marketing and chief creative officer at BuzzFeed, is leaving the company after 18 months. There’s no word yet on what he will do next or whether his position will be refilled. Cooper is also a former chief marketing officer at PepsiCo.
Tags: people
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People
- Dominique Delport becomes chief client officer at Havas Group
- Nicole Cordero becomes VP of U.S. Hispanic at Havas Edge
- Mark Gray rises to CEO at Katz Media Group
- Grey San Francisco president Milan Martin steps down
- Andy Amendola rises to senior digital director at the community
- Himanshu Kumar Suri becomes creative strategist at AGW Group
- Spencer Scott becomes head of media platforms at PCH/Media
- Tug McTighe becomes executive creative director at DEG
- Miguel Varoni rises to VP and creative director at Telemundo
- Michael Imperioli joins ABC sitcom pilot
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