Execs and Accounts for June 9, 2003

Overture has elected Frank Biondi to its board of directors. Biondi, who served as chief executive officer of Universal Studios from 1996 to 1998, is currently senior managing director of WaterView Advisors, a private equity fund that specializes in media stocks. Earlier in his career, Biondi was variously CEO of Viacom, Coca-Cola Television and HBO.

“Frank’s vast business experience, proven leadership skills and deep customer insight will add meaningfully to the capabilities of our board,” said Overture Chairman Robert Kavner. “His addition will help ensure that Overture continues to benefit from a strong and independent point of view as the company aggressively pursues its business strategy.”

Carat Interactive will support Atlas DMT’s Digital Marketing Suite for integrated ad serving and campaign management. Said Randy McKelvey, media supervisor at Carat Interactive, “For the first time, our clients can review consistent data across print, television, radio, outdoors, and online advertising to determine the best media mix for their campaign goals.”

Carat also supports DoubleClick’s DART technology for ad management. The agency said DoubleClick remains its preferred vendor, a relationship it announced last October.

Entertainment public relations firm Bender/Helper Impact has launched a new integrated entertainment marketing company. Called Entertainment Impact, the venture is the result of an increased need for a centrally-orchestrated approach to marketing that will provide maximum impact at minimum cost, the company said.

Specific services will include online marketing and promotions, Web design, video production, advertising, product placement and market research, among other offerings. Steve Honig, a 15-year marketing veteran, was named general manager of the new company and will oversee its day-to-day operation.

“While the area of entertainment marketing has grown tremendously during the past five years, there has yet to be a single player that can effectively orchestrate all the different disciplines,” said Honig. “We will provide clients with strategic counsel on how to best use the entertainment industry to drive their businesses.”

Mercury Interactive has appointed Christopher Lochhead to the newly created position of chief marketing officer, following a period of 16 months during which the company employed him as a consultant. Most recently, Lochhead was chief executive of strategic marketing firm Lockhead Corporation, prior to which he was on the startup team as chief marketing officer at Scient.

“Chris brings a deep knowledge of business technology optimization, enterprise software and marketing to our team of world-class executives,” said Amnon Landan, chairman and CEO of Mercury Interactive.

ValueClick’s AdWare Systems subsidiary has won or renewed several contracts for use of its ASP solutions for advertisers and agencies.

Canadian ad agency MacLaren-McCann and food distributor Supervalu have renewed their use of various features of the ad management system. Meanwhile, ethnic marketing agency Muse Cordero Chen and Partners, and media buying firms MBMG and Blue Ink Media have signed up to begin use of several of AdWare’s solutions.

FindWhat.com board member Rupinder Sidhu has resigned, citing personal reasons. Sidhu co-founded Arena Capital LLC, a private investment firm, and is the managing member of Merion Capital Management. He had served on FindWhat.com’s board of directors since April 2001.

“I remain a strong supporter of the company, and look forward to watching FindWhat.com’s continued success,” he said.

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