Execs & Accounts for July 13, 2007

Universal Pictures selected Ignited as its agency of record. The firm formerly known as Ignited Minds will handle online media planning and buying for Universal Pictures’ theatrical and DVD releases.

R/GA hired Craig Patton as managing director, new business for London. The agency created the position for Patton.

Virtual worlds agency Millions of Us named Douglas Gayeton chief creative officer. The firm tasked the filmmaker with extending the agency’s services in social media content, machinima / film production, and in-game advertising.

AOL named Ted Cahall head of AOL Technologies. Cahall will continue to lead AOL’s Platforms business unit, and will also oversee AOL Search, MapQuest, e-commerce, and publishing platform and tools, reporting to AOL President and COO Ron Grant. He succeeds Balan Nair in the position.

Commission Junction has restructured its executive-level responsibilities by region. The ValueClick affiliate marketing network named Dave Osman vice president, client development, West, and Kerri Pollard as vice president, client development, East.

Jumpstart Automotive Media promoted Chad Beasley to vice president of marketing. The automotive ad network promoted Beasley from vice president West Coast sales and creative development.

Horizon Media named Sheri Roder SVP, consumer insights director. Roder joined the media services agency from Saatchi & Saatchi Consumer Healthcare.

Trailer Park appointed Gregg Apirian EVP of digital marketing. The creative marketing firm lured Apirian from his position as co-founder and CEO of Blitz Digital Studios.

CondéNet named Eileen Mulloy associate publisher of Epicurious.com and Concierge.com. Mulloy was promoted from advertising director and will manage sales teams for both Web sites.

Newegg.com selected Coremetrics for Web analytics. The online retailer will use the provider of marketing optimization solutions for customer service optimization.

Boomm Marketing and Communications added two execs. The agency hired Carrie Smothers as a senior copywriter and Bianca Hertel as an assistant account executive.

Connexus has completed the purchase of the technology assets of AdModus. AdModus is a developer of ad serving technology. Both companies are privately held and terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Tacoda launched a travel vertical for brand advertisers. The behaviorally targeted online advertising network already operates an auto and women’s vertical network.

SideStep acquired travel social network TripUp for an undisclosed sum. The travel search company will combine TripUp’s community and social network with its real-time access to online travel information.