Chicago-based Playboy Enterprises Inc. recently said it would slash 8% of its workforce and consolidate its Los Angeles offices to lower costs and free up money to improve its namesake magazine. The company said the layoffs would be spread throughout Playboy's operations; of the 70 jobs to be cut, 20% are currently unfilled. Among the 25 people cut in the Chicago office is Playboy magazine's managing editor Jonathan Black, a 16-year veteran. His departure is a clear indication that Playboy is shifting editorial operations to New York.

Publicis Groupe's Starcom MediaVest Group has made a change at the top of its MediaVest network. LAURA DESMOND, CEO of SMG Latin America, was named CEO of MediaVest USA. She replaces Donna Salvatore, who was named Chief Investment Strategist at the media agency, a new post. Nancy Mullahy, President of SMG Mexico, replaces Desmond.

Boede&partners, an integrated marketing firm, announced that TED TSANDES has been promoted to Partner from Creative Director. Tsandes joined boede&partners in early 2002 and was quickly promoted to Creative Director. Tsandes also served as Associate Creative Director at Euro RSCG DSW Partners and Senior Copywriter at Campbell LaCoste.

Viewpoint, a provider of rich media technology and interactive services, announced the hiring of CREED PETTIT as Account Executive in Los Angeles. Prior to joining Viewpoint, Pettit served as an Account Executive at ValueClick, Inc.

PETER J. LEECH joins Coolsavings as Vice President of Retail Partnerships. As founder of his own company, The Equilum Group, a loyalty marketing services provider and consultancy, Leech helped leading retailers and manufacturers institute frequent shopper card marketing and customer relationships management initiatives.

CoolSavings, Inc. has announced the appointment of CHARLES M. KINGERY as Senior Vice President of Sales. Kingery most recently served as Executive Vice President and General Manager of Client Sales and Customer Marketing for Information Resources Inc.

Relix Magazine, the only magazine dedicated to covering the jamband and improvisational music scene, this week announced that award-winning journalist and former Rolling Stone Managing Editor ROBERT LOVE will join the publication as Guest Editor and Consultant.

BURST! Media, a provider of Internet advertising services, has hired HEATHER WETZLER as their new Outside Sales Representative for the Northeast. Most recently she was the New England Account Manager for the Mplayer Entertainment Network. Prior to Mplayer, she worked for Real Media and Direct Marketing News. Before entering sales Wetzel was a television and radio producer for major media companies such as Lifetime Television, United Stations Radio Networks and Hearst Entertainment.

Leo Burnett Worldwide's Vice Chairman and Chief Creative Officer, MICHAEL CONRAD, will retire at the end of the year. Deputy Chief Creative Officer Miguel Angel Furones will succeed Conrad. Conrad will stay on as a yet-to-be-defined consultant to the agency. The agency will abolish the post of Deputy Chief Creative.

Arnold McGrath Chairman PAT MCGRATH is expected to retire by the end of the year, executives close to the agency said. His departure follows Procter & Gamble Co.'s realignment of its advertising agency roster that cost his agency several brands.