The Africa Channel, an independent television network showcasing the diverse cultures and rich history of Africa, has named SHIRLEY NEAL as vice president of production and development. Neal will be responsible for production of original content for The Africa Channel, overseeing network operations, as well as scheduling of shows already on the network.

iris London, a marketing and communications agency, has opened offices in New York and Singapore. Leading the New York office, as managing partners, are MATT MCROBERTS and STEFAN ZOLTOWSKI. McRoberts joins the agency from Alloy Marketing and Promotions, New York. Most recently, Zoltowski had been senior account director at Vallance Carruthers Coleman Priest, London.

LAURA RYAN has been promoted to Eastern Sales Manager for Mountain Sports Media. Ryan joined the company in 2003 as an account manager. She will be responsible for both sales and management of east coast general advertising for all Mountain Sports Media products.

Modernista! has named LEE FRADETTE as a management supervisor. Fradette will work on the Napster and Rockport accounts. Prior to joining Modernista! she spent five years at Hill / Holliday working on the Dunkin' Donuts and Fleet Bank accounts.

The VIA Group has promoted PAM CHAMBERLAIN from assistant account manager to account manager.

Kelliher Samets Volk has launched a direct marketing group. Director SUESAN RANDLETT and creative director SHELLY ROBBIE will head the new group.

Vendare Media has named MICHAEL NEWMAN as executive vice president of sales. Newman joins the company from Interactive Search Holdings, a unit of Ask Jeeves, where he served as senior vice president, sales and marketing solutions.

ANGELA LEANEY has been named senior vice president, brand communications, Nickelodeon Digital Television. Formerly vice president, brand communications, NOGGIN / The N, Leaney will continue to oversee the branding, promotional creative and public affairs for both NOGGIN and The N. In addition, RADHA SUBRAMANYAM has been named vice president, research and planning, Nickelodeon Digital Television. Formerly senior director, research, Nickelodeon Digital Television, Subramanyam will continue to oversee ratings, primary and online research for NOGGIN, The N, Nicktoons & Nickelodeon Games and Sports (GAS). She will now also oversee ad sales research for The N.

SCOTT HAUGENES has joined Initiative as senior vice president, group director, national broadcast, to co-manage the company's network buying division. Haugenes will be responsible for a portion of Initiative's New York buying group as well as the national buying team in Los Angeles. Most recently, Haugenes has served as senior vice president, sales and marketing for the ABC Family Channel.

TACODA has hired KHAN C. SMITH as vice president, product management, a newly created position. Most recently, Smith was senior product planner for Microsoft’s Audience Segmentation Tool Suite.