Career Moves: October 19, 2006

Authored by dmw on October 19, 2006 - 9:31am.

Bertelsmann has named Richard Sarnoff as President of its new venture-capital fund, Bertelsmann Digital Media Investments (BDMI), that will invest in early-stage companies focused primarily on digital media. Sarnoff, President of Random House’s Corporate Development Group, a division of Bertelsmann, will remain in the company’s New York headquarters, reporting to Bertelsmann CFO Thomas Rabe, and will retain his responsibilities within Random House.
www.bertelsmann.com

Akamai, a global service provider for accelerating content and business processes online, today announced the election to its Board of Directors of Geoffrey A. Moore, the well-known business strategy consultant, best-selling author, and a Managing Director at TCG Advisors.
www.akamai.com

Interpublic Group, confirming plans to restructure its media-buying operations, said it will shutter IPG Media, an umbrella firm set up last year to house units such as Universal McCann and Initiative. IPG Media Chief Mark Rosenthal will leave the company after a transition period.

Interpublic also confirmed that it would align its media firms more directly with its creative ad agencies. Nick Brien, Chief Executive of Universal McCann will report to John Dooner, McCann Worldgroup's Chief Executive, while Alex Gerster, Chief Executive of Initiative will report to Laurence Boschetto, Chief Operating Officer and President of Draft FCB.
www.interpublic.com

BPL Global (BPL), an international provider of "Smart Grid" technologies and broadband services over power lines, announced today that it has appointed Steven M. Barto to the position of Chief Financial Officer. Most recently, Barto served as Vice President, Finance and Business Operations, Data Networks at Ericsson, which acquired Marconi Communications' North American business assets in January 2006.
www.bplglobal.net