Omnicom media network OMD USA has named PAGE THOMPSON CEO of OMD North America, a new position. He had been Chief Strategy Officer of OMD USA. Succeeding Thompson as OMD USA's top strategy executive is MONICA KARO, Managing Director of OMD West. Karo will retain her regional responsibilities, adding the Chief Strategy Officer title.

MTS Inc., the parent company of national music, book and video retailer Tower Records is cutting 15 percent of its headquarters employees in West Sacramento. In all, 82 positions will be eliminated at headquarters and at the distribution subsidiary next door, the company said. MTS Inc., said the job cuts would hit a variety of divisions, from accounts payable to direct sales, and would include the closure of the Tower chain's Pulse! magazine, which will suspend publication.

Initiative Media announced that JENNIFER M. RAZOR has joined the company as Vice President, Director, Business Development. Most recently, Razor was an independent consultant for a number of leading corporations, including Grey Global Group, Fountainhead NYC and Barnes & Noble Booksellers in New York.

BBDO Worldwide announced that ANDREW ROBERTSON, currently President and CEO of BBDO North America, has been promoted to the new position of President, BBDO Worldwide. Robertson will retain his current responsibilities in North America and continue to report to Allen Rosenshine, Chairman and CEO of BBDO Worldwide,with whom he will share worldwide management duties, beginning with overseeing the activities of the BBDO Latin America region.

BBDO Worldwide also announced that KLAUS WENDLER, Chief Financial Officer of BBDO Europe, has been elected one of the 17 members of the Board of Directors of BBDO Worldwide.

LORRAINE ARADO has joined Deutsch Inc. as Executive Vice President, Group Account Director, responsible for the Revlon and Almay accounts. Most recently, Arado was the Managing Director and Partner of Working Class, a small creative shop whose clients have included Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Nina Footwear and New York Life Mainstay Funds.

Magazine Publishers of America has named President & CEO of The Taunton Press, JOHN LIVELY, as the new Chair of the Smaller Magazine Advisory Council. Lively began his career at Taunton in 1980 as an Assistant Editor, but quickly rose to Vice President and Editor-in-Chief of the company.

Captivate Network, Inc., the national news and entertainment network, announced that SUSAN AUERBACH recently joined the company's advertising sales team as National Account Manager. Susan brings to Captivate a wealth of sales experience from well-known companies such as E! Network Television, General Motors Mediaworks/Lintas, and NBC. Most recently, Susan served as a media-buying consultant for Unity Media Inc. in New York.

National Cable Communications (NCC), the nation's leading spot cable rep firm, has named GREG SCHAEFER as Chief Operating Officer. Schaefer comes to NCC from CBS in New York, where he spent 20 years in a variety of capacities. He most recently served as Vice President, Station Manager of WCBS in New York. With CBS, he also served as Director of Sales for WCBS, and Executive Vice President of CBS Television Station Sales. Previously he was President, Viacom Station Sales.

Rodale Inc., a leading publisher of information on healthy, active lifestyles, announced this week that PATRICIA WILLSTATTER has been named Midwest Sales Manager for Organic Style and OG (formerly Organic Gardening). Prior to joining Rodale, Willstatter was the Midwest Sales Manager for Rosie magazine in charge of successfully launching the magazine and transitioning key McCall’s advertisers to Rosie. She joined Gruner + Jahr’s McCall’s in 1995 as an Account Executive.