Execs & Accounts for June 18, 2004

Robert Raisch joined anti-spam firm Vanquish as chief software architect. Raisch founded The Internet Company in 1993, prior to which he was chief technical architect for Global Network Navigator (GNN), later acquired by America Online.

Vanquish is finalizing an enterprise-level anti-spam platform that creates economic incentives for bulk senders to target their mailings carefully. Raisch will lead the engineering push needed to complete that product and will develop future solutions.

“Rob is not only a supreme software developer; he is one of a handful of people who can be credited with helping to define the way the Internet has evolved into the global interactive medium that it is today,” said Vanquish CEO Philip Raymond.

The New York Post‘s online edition implemented AlmondNet’s behavioral targeting platform. The Post will use AlmondNet’s technology to target ads based on various combinations of audience attributes.

“The AlmondNet technology allows us to customize ads based on a reader’s specific interests,” said Andrew Ralles, online advertising manager for The Post. “By doing this, we can offer advertisers the opportunity to reach interested readers in whatever section of our site they may be visiting.”

Microsoft Canada hired Owen Sagness as general manager of MSN Canada. Sagness joined Microsoft Canada in 1996 and is a current member of Microsoft’s Canadian leadership team. He has served stints as director of the public sector and director of enterprise commercial sales.

“Canada is one of the top markets for MSN worldwide, and Owen’s incredible track record within Microsoft, including his proven leadership abilities, makes him an ideal choice to lead MSN Canada,” said Frank Clegg, president of Microsoft Canada.