Steve McGowan was named senior vice president, research at Discovery Channel, replacing Kevan Mabbutt. He was previously senior vice president, insights and client research initiatives at The Nielsen Company.

Beattie McGuinness Bungay hired Neil Powell as creative director. Most recently, Powell served as president and executive creative director of WeAreGigantic, which he co-founded.

The Brand Union named Richard Bates chief creative officer of North America.

Euro RSCG New York hired Coleen Cahill as global brand director for Charles Schwab. She most recently served as brand equity director at Merkley + Partners in New York, where she directed various marketing initiatives for Citigroup and Smith Barney.

Kate Howe was named president of Draftfcb London. She was most recently managing director at Nitro Ltd.

VML promoted Elizabeth Rooney to group creative director; Jeff Geheb to managing director, technology; and hired Todd Kirtley as chief information officer.

BBDO New York hired Andy Bhatt as head of interactive production. He joins from Wieden+Kennedy New York, where he was head of interactive production.

Williams-Helde Marketing Communications named Jenney Porterfield as new media director. Porterfield joins Williams-Helde from HL2 Seattle, where she planned media strategies for such clients as Microsoft, Seattle's Best Coffee and Overlake Hospital.

EffectiveBrands hired Kimberly Orton as director.

Collective Media hired Brian Elliott as director, automotive category. He previously served as the director of Yahoo!'s automotive category.