Execs & Accounts for September 1, 2006

MTV Networks hired Hank Close as president of U.S. ad sales. Close was previously VP of ad sales for MTVN's Music/Comedy/Logo Group. The role includes oversight of all channels.


Mobile entertainment and messaging company Limbo 41414 hired Laurel Skillman as senior director of marketing, and Danny Wright as director of business development. Skillman previously led marketing for CNET's games and entertainment group. Wright developed Arista's early Web strategy.


FM Publishing will represent ads on VentureBeat, a new blog written by Matt Marshall. Marshall is launching the solo blogging effort after working for The San Jose Mercury News and writing for its SiliconBeat Weblog. He'll stay with the paper, however, and manage its Web site.