America Online has named two media veterans to its content and services team. Malcolm Bird will serve as SVP and general manager of AOL Kids, and Tina Sharkey will be SVP of lifestyle and community programming.
Bird played key roles in three major network launches — Nickelodeon UK, TeleMonticarlo in Italy and Miami USA network for Barry Diller’s USA Broadcasting. A producer of the recent series “Operation Junkyard” for Discovery Kids, he held additional executive production roles with Craftsman Productions and Miami USA Broadcasting, where his work garnered two Emmy awards.
Sharkey was a principal with media consultancy Majestic Partners and a co-founder of iVillage, where she served as chief community architect. She was also group president of Sesame Workshop’s online services, where she created the Sesame Street interactive media business.
“Enhancing the content, features and services we provide to our members is one of AOL’s top priorities,” said Jim Bankoff, EVP of operations for AOL Interactive Services. “Malcolm Bird and Tina Sharkey bring tremendous talents and experience to a number of the areas AOL members care about most.”
Agency.com’s Boston office has donated its services to The Gillette Company in a redesign of the Gillette Womens Cancer Connection, a site originally created to provide resources, advice and compassionate guidance to women dealing with cancer. The revamped Web destination now features information about regional support groups, tips on coping with cancer, and a forum in which users can post stories, questions and advice.
“The Internet is one of the first places people look for information when they are diagnosed with a medical condition, so it is crucial that Gillette Women’s Cancer Connect provide support in a clear and compassionate manner,” said Agency.com COO Don Scales.
Viewpoint Corporation has launched an online presentation on MSN, introducing Volkswagen’s new Beetle convertible.
The presentation is highlighted on the MSN Autos Channel as part of its coverage of the 2003 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) and is synchronized with the video stream of the new model’s unveiling on the show floor. Viewpoint’s control panel lets users rotate, zoom in and out, and highlight unique features. Additionally, the Windows Media Player video stream triggers graphics-rich animations and “flybys” of the new car.
“The powerful integration of Microsoft’s Windows Media Player and Viewpoint’s interactive media once again demonstrate the power of our open approach,” said Bob Rice, Viewpoint’s president and CEO.
24/7 Real Media has added British Airways and CareerBuilder to its customer list. The companies have designated the marketing technology firm’s Open AdStream Central as the ad serving product of choice for their customer-facing Web sites. British Airways will additionally use Real Media’s traffic services for its online campaign management needs.
“Real Media’s [bundling of] traffic services and advertising delivery allows us one point of contact for all of our advertising management needs,” said Chris Davies, managing editor of the British Airways Web site.
TiVo President Morgan Guenther has resigned, effective January 31. The digital video recorder firm said it has begun a search for a senior exec to oversee the business development areas managed by Guenther.
“Over the last three years, Morgan has been involved in developing many of TiVo’s strategic alliances and helped to develop TiVo’s current business model,” said TiVo CEO Mike Ramsay. “We appreciate Morgan’s contribution and wish him well in his future endeavors.”
Guenther joined TiVo in 1999 and was named president in October 2001. No reason was given for his departure.
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