The New York Times named BILL KELLER, the paper's former managing editor, to become the new executive editor, replacing HOWELL RAINES, who resigned in June.

BOB HOLLAND has been named advertising director of Tampa Bay Illustrated. Holland's responsibilities include Tampa Bay advertising sales management and new business development for the publication.

LISA FIELDS is the new Senior Vice President of Marketing and Strategic Relations for Traffic Vendors. Fields will be managing vendor partnerships as well as overseeing sales and marketing. Prior to Traffic Vendors, Fields was Vice President, Strategic Relations at go2 Systems, a wireless location-based directory service.

TIM BOWLES has become a consultant to The NPD Group. In addition to serving on the firm’s Executive Committee, Bowles will spearhead several key strategic projects for the firm. Most recently, he was Group President, International Operations for Information Resources Inc. (IRI). Bowles also served as Chief Executive of MRB Group, Managing Director of Audits of Great Britain (AGB) and Managing Director of Research Surveys of Great Britain.

SONJA YOUNGWITH has joined NKH&W as Associate Media Director. She will assist in the supervision of all media planning for the agency as well as working with specific clients. Most recently, Youngwith worked at Starcom MediaVest Group/Leo Burnett, Chicago, where she managed the media for several major consumer/packaged goods brands.

Giant Ideas has announced the hiring of STAN MUSCHWECK as Executive Vice President. Muschweck recently left the same position at Ten/United, where he was responsible for accounts such as Heinz, Sony and SuperValu. He will be responsible for developing new business and managing the account supervision department at the agency.

COREY WILLIAMS has joined Silverpop as Vice President of Enterprise Solutions and JERRY PORTER as joined the company as Vice President of Production. Williams previously worked as the Regional Vice President of Sales for CheetahMail. Prior to joining Silverpop, Porter was the Regional Director for Cable and Wireless America where he managed the business and technical delivery operations of a 24/7 Internet data center.

The Golf Channel announced the hiring of KEVIN BYRNES as vice president of sponsorship sales. Byrnes will be responsible for managing and developing new business and expanding the network's revenue opportunities. Most recently, he was vice president of sales for WTVJ-TV, Miami's NBC affiliate. Also joining the network is JIM BEALL, who will serve as an account manager, sponsorship sales covering the central region of the United States. Beall most recently worked for National Cable Communications in Chicago where he sold local market advertising for cable networks.

Hill, Holliday announced the appointment of DONNA SANDERS FELIX as VP Management Supervisor on the Dell Computer Corporation account. Felix was most recently Senior Account manager at Bam! Advertising where she managed all of the agency's accounts including BroadJump, Logitech and ClearCube. Prior to this, Felix worked at Leo Burnett Technology Group, Austin, directing the Motorola semiconductor business.

VentureDirect Worldwide has added BILL LEVINE, founder of The MEDIA Organization, as Strategic Media Broker. He will work with VentureDirect clients on customer acquisition programs, using a variety of direct response media including mailing lists, alternative insert media, and print media.