Concrete Pictures has appointed RICHARD RICE as its director of new media. Prior to joining Concrete Pictures, Rice was a consultant, working with companies such as DreamWorks, The History Channel, Fox, PBS and the Library of Congress.

MindShare North America is expanding its Consumer Research group by adding TATA SATO as director of consumer insights, a new position. Sato’s career in research and strategy has taken her to several top-ranked creative agencies. She has spent the past twelve years at Y&R, where, as Senior Partner, Brand Planning, she managed brand strategic and creative development for the agency’s clients. She has also worked in Brand Planning at Grey and BBDO, as well as having spent time in investment banking and consulting.

The Wall Street Journal has appointed JON HOUSMAN as the managing director of its European edition. He succeeds RIEN VAN LENT, who is leaving the company to establish his own consultancy business based in Europe. Housman joins The Wall Street Journal Europe after co-founding New York-based Jungle Media Group.

WorldNow has promoted CRAIG SMITH to EVP, Sales and Distribution. Smith will be responsible for the development and growth of WorldNow’s client base, which now stands at more than 200 local media partners. Prior to joining WorldNow, Craig spent 11 years at Viacom, where he held several management and sales roles in the television syndication field.

kirshenbaum bond + partners announced  three new partners within the kbp companies. JOE DOUCET, head of design, is now a partner at kirshenbaum bond new york. DEBBY CHOW and MARK FITHIAN are now partners at Dotglu, kbp’s direct and interactive marketing unit.

WhenU.com has named KEN EVANS executive vice president of advertising sales. Previously, Evans served as executive vice president, sales and marketing at Advertising.com, where he restructured the company’s sales organization.

AllBusiness.com has named DAN SILMORE as vice president of marketing. Silmore joins the company from MarketWatch, Inc. where he served as general manager of its network of consumer Web sites - MarketWatch.com (formerly CBS.MarketWatch.com), BigCharts.com and VirtualStockExchange.com.

The Magazine Group has named DAVID DOLTON to the newly-created position of senior vice president, custom publishing. In this role, Dolton will oversee new business development and account management for the company.

CAMERON DAY has joined independent advertising and branding agency McGarrah/Jessee as executive creative director. Day is a veteran of many agencies, most recently working with BBDO, GSD&M and Saatchi+Saatchi.

Operative has named RACHEL WALKDEN as senior vice president, global operations. In this role, Walkden will be responsible for managing the operations teams for Operative’s global client base.

ABC Radio Networks has named JOHN FITZGERALD vice president of ESPN Radio Sales. Fitzgerald will lead all advertising sales for ESPN Radio's 24/7 programming. Previously, Fitzgerald was director of sponsorship sales for ESPN Radio.

Sigma Group has named DIANE DONOGHUE as senior account director. Donoghue is responsible for the project management and account service functions for the Panasonic Computer Solutions Company's Toughbook notebook and handheld PCs account.

SHARON LIPOFSKY has been named director, ad sales marketing for Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel. Prior to joining Hallmark Channel, Lipofsky was Manager, Ad Sales Marketing at A&E Networks.

Did-It Search Marketing has promoted GERRY BAVARO to vice president, client services. Bavaro will be responsible for client services and account teams dedicated to strategic planning and daily account management for Did-It's client base. In addition, Did-It has hired TRICIA CARROLL and RENEE MARQUARDT, both as account directors.

Blast Radius is expanding its presence in the U.S. to include an office in Redwood Shores, CA. Joining the new office are SUBBU BALAKRISHNAN as director of technology; DEMO VILLANUEVA as senior director, client services and operations; SAM PARNELL as head of the application development function; and DAVID SAXON in the business development and sales department.

Electrolux Home Care Products Canada has promoted SCOTT RIDE to general manager of the Canadian division.

GE Commercial Finance Global Media & Communications has named THOMAS W. REGAN managing director, origination. He will be responsible for generating and overseeing client relationships in the large cap media sector.

HUGH MCGORAN has joined TACODA in the newly created position of vice president, eastern advertising sales. McGoran will hire and manage the Eastern US Advertising sales team for TACODA Audience Networks. McGoran joins the company from Knight Ridder Digital where he worked for nearly 10 years.

Blackwell Publishing has named BARBARA KAPLAN to vice president of journal sales in the Americas.

Hard Rock International has named KEVIN G. KIRBY as senior director of sales. Prior to joining the company, Kirby held a six-year post at Walt Disney World as national sales director for the Disney Event Group, where he oversaw the sales team and directed all development and implementation aspects of a portfolio of Disney products.

Horizon Media has gone on a hiring and promotion spree in New York. Try and keep up. MARJORIE AUSTER joins Horizon's Local Television department as a broadcast group manager; LYDIA FOY joins the Local Radio department as a broadcast group manager; VANESSA CURCURU joins as a senior radio buyer; KIM PARK comes onboard as an account executive; ELISA QUACKENBUSH, MEGAN SIGESMUND, MELISSA ZEOLI and SANDY ANGLIN have joined as assistant account executives and MEREDITH GLANSBERG and TSERING LAMA have joined as assistant media planners. Lastly, ELIZABETH COPPOLA and JASON WILLINGER have both been promoted to broadcast group managers in the Local Radio department.

STEVE CENTRILLO has been named president/chief executive officer of Foote Cone & Belding New York. Centrillo was previously executive vice president and chief growth officer of Interpublic Group.

KATHY BUSBY, formerly senior vice president and development chief at Carsey-Werner, has joined New Line Cinema as a senior vice president of production.

MARC HODES joins ML Rogers as vice president, account director. Hodes will be responsible for the Scotts Company Lawns, Seeds and Ortho accounts. Prior to joining ML Rogers, Hodes worked at Young & Rubicam, most recently as vice president, account director. 

Modernista! added HALLIE BRAM as an assistant account executive. Bram will work on the agency’s Napster account.

MATT FALLON joins independent agency MMB as senior account supervisor. Fallon will work on the agency’s Subway account. Prior to joining MMB, he spent seven years with Hill Holliday, Boston most recently as an account supervisor. 

Seed Media Group has named DR. JAMES WATSON as special advisor to the board.

Best Buy promoted RUBY ANIK to senior vice president, advertising and promotional marketing. Anik directs development of all company advertising, event and promotional programs, and manages relationships with the company's external agency partners. Anik joined Best Buy as vice president of media in 2000 and assumed full advertising responsibilities in 2002.