Crain Communications has named CHARLES LAUER to publishing and editorial director and FAWN LOPEZ to publisher of Modern Healthcare and Modern Physician. Lauer continues to lead the titles as senior director and advisor, and Lopez assumes responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the publications.

MaximNet has named STEVEN ROSENBLATT as its national advertising director and JENNIFER PETROVIC as the West Coast manager. CHAD JESKEWITZ has been hired as the Midwest manager, and JARED HAND has been named as an East Coast manager. Petrovic was most recently the West Coast online manager at TV Guide. Jeskewitz was most recently a senior national account manager for InterActive Corp. and Hand comes from Fathom Online where he was a regional sales manager.

Atlanta based MaxMedia Design has named DON BERG as executive vice president of marketing. Formerly senior project manager, Berg joined MaxMedia in 1998. As project manager he oversaw Web development projects and online marketing campaigns for BellSouth, Cingular, NCR, Coca-Cola, and General Motors.

ImaginAsian TV has appointed CHARLES HENDRICKSON to chief financial officer. Hendrickson will be responsible for overseeing all of the company’s financial activities. Prior to joining ImaginAsian TV, Hendrickson served 16 years as managing director/treasurer of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette.

STEVEN E. DRUCKMAN has been appointed as chief marketing officer at FreshDirect. Druckman will oversee all aspects of the company’s marketing initiatives including, direct marketing, online marketing, public relations, customer service, and advertising. Prior to joining FreshDirect, Druckman served as the general manager of Toys ‘R’ Us’ Toy Box Wholesale division, where he led all aspects of the wholesale business.

DENNIS PATRICK, president and CEO of National Geographic Ventures, has been named chairman, NGV while retaining the function of CEO. Patrick is stepping down as president, NGV. TIM KELLY, formerly president of National Geographic Television & Film (NGT&F), will replace Patrick.

ANDREAS WEIGEND, former chief scientist at Amazon.com, will serve the same role at Poindexter Systems. Prior to Amazon.com, he was the chief scientist of ShockMarket, creating information products and trading models based on real-time data from online brokerages, leveraging principles of behavioral finance.

Samsung Electronics America (SEA) has promoted PETER WEEDFALD to senior vice president, sales and marketing for the Consumer Electronics Division. In his new role, Weedfald leads branding, marketing, and sales initiatives for Samsung's Consumer Electronics Division. Weedfald, who joined the company in 2001, will also continue his current responsibility as senior vice president of North America's strategic marketing team.

STACY KIRK, associate PR manager of Weather.com, has accepted a position in the Atlanta office of Edelman PR.

Initiative has hired MICHAEL HAYES as vice president, interactive marketing. Hayes will oversee Initiative's interactive media and digital marketing services, working on accounts including Bank of America, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, Carl Karcher Enterprises (CKE Restaurants) and Cox Interactive. Prior to joining Initiative, Hayes served as the head of the media services and strategic planning group at 10th Degree, a direct response and interactive agency.