Execs & Accounts: Barker/DZP, LBi, Current Media

Barker/DZP hired Paul Sewards as managing director. Sewards, 39, joins from Digitas New York, where he worked on the global Samsung business. Before that, he was MD of Big Spaceship New York.

Digital marketing agency LBi hired Judith Carr as U.S. managing director. She’ll be based in IconNicholson’s Manhattan office, where she will lead the LBi-owned, full-service digital agency’s U.S. operations, and pave the way for its integration with Special Ops Media, another agency recently acquired by LBi.

Current Media hired Ken Ripley as EVP of ad sales. Ripley was formerly EVP of global ad sales for IGA Worldwide, an in-game ad firm. Earlier he was VP, sales director for Discovery Communications.

MRM Worldwide hired Doug Speidel as SVP, creative director, working on the Diageo business. He joins from Tequila, the digital and direct marketing unit of TBWAChiatDay, where he was executive creative director. At Tequila, Speidel worked on Sony Playstation’s “Giantology” campaign.

IPG media unit Mediabrands hired Scott Beltran as chief information officer. He joins from Lowe Worldwide, where he held a similar post. Additionally, Jason Harrison was named SVP, digital solutions director, reporting to Beltran.

Family Christian Stores selected StrongMail to process all its marketing and transactional e-mail. The retailer of Christian products has 300 locations and 5,000 employees across 40 states. It sends millions of e-mails a month, according to the company.

Bazaarvoice won Norwegian Cruise Line as a client to its social commerce tools. It will use Bazaarvoice’s Ask & Answer, Ratings & Reviews, and Stories products.

Mobile marketing and technology firm 2ergo is working with AT&T’s youth marketing to promote recording artist Demi Lovato via an SMS list. Teens who register will also hear from AT&T about its quick messaging phones.