ROYCE HALL has been named sales development manager at Latimes.com in Los Angeles. He joins the site from Dow Jones Online in New York, where he was marketing manager for The Wall Street Journal Online and MarketWatch brands.

Universal McCann (UM) has named STEVE SOLDANO global managing partner for Microsoft, a new position. Soldano joins UM from MindShare in New York where he served as worldwide strategic planning director since 2004. Soldano will lead media services for Universal McCann on the global Microsoft account within the context of McCann Worldgroup’s larger relationship with Microsoft across 29 countries.

McKinney has named JEFF JONES, former executive vice president of global marketing for Gap, as president. He succeeds BRAD BRINEGAR, who will remain chief executive officer and also become chairman of the agency.

DoubleClick has named MARIANNE CAPONNETTO chief sales and marketing officer. Caponnetto most recently served as vice president, publishing, global media & entertainment at IBM.

GIANT magazine has named SCOTT POULSON-BRYANT editorial director.

Jack Morton Worldwide has named DAVID LEVINE as creative director; DAVID PERLS as director of brand strategy; and JON REINER as vice president/senior creative strategist.

ABC Radio Networks has promoted BELIA JIMENEZ to director, multicultural research, and named MARALYNN MONTES as associate manager, sales development research.

JOHN WOLFE has joined MindShare North America as partner, corporate communications manager for North America, a new position. Wolfe will be responsible for MindShare’s communications outreach to the press, clients, and within the agency itself. Most recently, Wolfe served as executive editor at MediaPost (publisher of People on the Move) and continues to pen the company’s MarketingDaily newsletter.

Renegade Marketing Group has named MELISSA SEYFRIED online account director; SABRA GOFFIN as account director; and JASON ENGLISH as copywriter.

The Wall Street Journal has appointed TOM GASKIN account executive, Detroit advertising sales. Gaskin will be managing the General Motors and DaimlerChrysler accounts for the Journal. Most recently, Gaskin served as an account manager at Turner Broadcasting.

The VIA Group has promoted DAVID BURFEIND to chief knowledge officer.Burfeind joined VIA in 2000 as a senior marketing strategist.

TODD RUSSELL has been named vice president, director of client services at Mintz & Hoke, charged with heading up the account service team. Previously, Russell was associate director, account services at AGA Marketing and Design, where he was responsible for client services on accounts such as Mercedes-Benz USA and TUMI.

Interactive agency Springbox has named WENDY WHATLEY as an art director; CHRIS DAVIS as a copywriter; and ESA VAN DUSEN joined the account services department.

Active Athlete Media has named ROBERT WALTERS, formerly of Imaira Digital Media & eLearning, as chief technology officer.

The Republik, Durham, has hired DAVE AVIS as art director/designer on Triumph Boats, Fayetteville Tourism and Consolidated Shoes. Previously, Avis was a designer at EM2 Design, Atlanta.

Scripps Networks has promoted RON JOHNSON, vice president for information technology, to chief information officer for the company.

Horizon Los Angeles has promoted CHERIE BRUSSELL to brand team manager, up from account supervisor; MARIN KATACIC was promoted to brand group manager, up from account supervisor; KUMI EASTMAN has been promoted to brand planning supervisor, up from media planner; BEN JOHNSON was promoted to account supervisor, up from account executive; and MIKE YAMATO has been promoted to junior account executive, up from assistant account executive.

HEATHER FAUST was named VP/partnerships and retail for Parade magazine. Faust held the title of VP/director/Midwestern and western sales since March 2005.

Klipmart Corporation has charged CORY TREFFILETTI, formerly of Carat Fusion, to launch a program that places online video into the mix of the traditional television upfront.

Initiative Worldwide has promoted LARRY ORELL to chief operating officer and AMANDA PLOUGHMAN to executive vice president, director, business development.

ParentsMagazine has promoted BRIAN GRUSEKE to associate publisher, up from ad director. Prior to joining Parents, Gruseke held senior sales positions at Ladies Home Journal, Woman’s Day, and Eating Well.

Refinery has named GERRY MCGOLDRICK as senior vice president, performance marketing.

BooneOakley has hired PAUL KOREL as copywriter on the Bloom, Nascar and First Charter accounts. Previously, Korel was a freelance copywriter at BBDO/Atlanta on Cingular and Georgia Natural Gas accounts.

SPENCER POLLARD has been named managing director for Liberation Entertainment.

Ryan TrueHealth has named JACOB BRAUDE as management supervisor. Most recently, Braude worked for FCB Healthcare.

SQAD has promoted LAWRENCE FRIED to vice president, national sales, adding responsibility for all national sales for the company. ROBERT TAFFNER, formerly director, business development, has been named director, strategic new business development. SAMANTHA MARLOW, previously senior account executive for SQAD’s west coast office, has been promoted to director, west coast sales and client service.

Lopez Negrete Communications has promoted JAIME BELDEN to creative director/direct marketing and LORENA CAVAZOS to media buying director.

The TRUE Agency has promoted VALENCIA GAYLES from chief operating officer to president. In addition, PERRY FAIR has rejoined the agency as executive creative director.

FLEUR MCNALLY has joined Eastwest Marketing as new business development director.

LORI DICKER has joined Organic as director of engagement management to direct the Los Angeles office and manage the West Coast entertainment practice and other Los Angeles-based accounts. MATT ROSENBERG, director of engagement management, who formerly led the practice in Los Angeles, is moving to New York to develop the East Coast entertainment practice.

VICTORIA WHITE has joined Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide as an interactive media specialist.