Execs & Accounts for March 23, 2007

Microsoft named Satya Nadella to lead a newly formed Search and Ad Platform Group within Microsoft’s Platform Services Division. Nadella replaces Christopher Payne, the corporate VP of Windows Live Search whose departure was revealed earlier this month. The company also named Harry Shum chief scientist of the group.

Michael Moritz will not seek re-election to Google’s board of directors. Moritz, who has been a director since May 1999, said his decision will allow him to focus more time on his responsibilities as a general partner of Sequoia Capital. Google will hold its annual election of directors at its stockholder meeting on May 10, 2007.

SEMPO named its officers for 2007. The new Search Engine Marketing Professional Organization’s officers include Enquiro’s Gordon Hotchkiss as chairperson, iCrossing’s Jeffrey Pruitt as president, 360i’s Dave Williams as vice president, DoubleClick’s Dave Fall as treasurer, and Avenue A | Razorfish’s Chris Boggs as secretary.

Lucid marketing added two execs. The national marketing and media services company named Kim Boknoski to the position of marketing manager and Mark Sperling to head its office in Los Angeles. Lucid specializes in helping companies connect with mothers.

Nielsen Business Media appointed Linda McCutcheon senior vice president, eMedia Strategy and Technology. The division of The Nielsen Company hired McCutcheon to replace Toni Nevitt, who will leave by month’s end.