Execs and Accounts for July 31, 2002

24/7 Real Media has added the ABC-owned TV (OTV) stations to its client roster. The stations have migrated their ten sites to Open AdStream Central from a competing solution. According to Daria Rachlin, manager of Web sales for ABC, several factors influenced the network’s decision to switch ad servers. The top two among them, she said, were 24/7’s reporting capabilities and the short time frame required for ad server updates.

“The Open AdStream training and transition were quick and efficient,” said Ron Stitt, director of Internet operations for the ABC OTV Station Group. “We were able to get up to speed on ten Web sites in a matter of a few days with no disruption to our business.”

Maritz Loyalty Marketing has tapped Digital Impact to provide online direct marketing solutions to its clients. Maritz Loyalty Marketing will use Digital Impact’s digital marketing application Impact to supplement existing programs for clients such as Toyota Motors, Sprint and Kimberly Clark.

“Sophisticated marketers realize the potential of integrated online direct marketing solutions to increase revenue while delivering a rapid and impressive return on investment,” said William Park, Digital Impact’s chief executive.

Interep Interactive’s Winstar Interactive Media has entered an agreement with Harpo Productions to represent DrPhil.com, the companion Web site to Dr. Phil, a daily, nationally syndicated, one-hour television series hosted by best-selling author and popular Oprah Winfrey guest Dr. Phillip McGraw. The show launches on September 16.

The Web presence will be a source for information relating to Dr. Phil and his show. It will include content from each episode along with additional advice on relationships, sex, parenting, health, money and career. Users will be able to purchase tapes and transcripts of the daily shows, tickets to his seminars, and branded products. Additionally, site visitors will have access to message boards, local listings, and information on how to be a guest on the set.

“Based on current traffic to the Dr. Phil section of Oprah.com, we expect a very large and active online audience for DrPhil.com,” says John Durham, COO of Interep Interactive. “This will be a fantastic opportunity for the shows advertisers to reach viewers with a longer-form, interactive message and for all marketers who understand the extraordinary value of this important audience.”

InfoSpace chairman and chief executive Naveen Jain has announced his plans to retire. Jain founded the data aggregation company and portal in 1996 with the vision of delivering real-world information on the Internet — to any device. He has since grown the company to approximately 700 employees and been the driving force behind 24 InfoSpace mergers and acquisitions.

Jain came to the U.S. from India in 1979, and joined Microsoft in 1989. He eventually became a group manager and launched Microsoft’s online service, The Microsoft Network. He left Microsoft in 1996, after seven years at the software giant, to start InfoSpace .

InfoSpace has engaged Korn/Ferry International to assist in the search for a new CEO, and formed an internal search committee, consisting of Jain, InfoSpace Director Lewis Taffer and Director General Richard Hearney.

“I plan to continue to help InfoSpace realize its vision and help its new CEO to take InfoSpace to the next level,” Jain said.

Austin-based Warranty Gold and MSN Carpoint are launching a Web-based sweepstakes. “Win A Trip to the Pits!” will send two winners to their choice of three Busch Series NASCAR races. Visitors to the Carpoint site can enter to win the trip that includes airfare, transportation and accommodations. In addition, the winners will receive pit passes to meet Dwayne Leik, driver of the number 81 Warranty Gold sponsored racecar.

This promotion has grown from a recent partnership established with MSN Carpoint to promote Warranty Gold’s vehicle extended service contracts to Web surfers visiting the MSN Carpoint site.

For more breaking news on account action and executive moves, visit ChannelSeven.com.