Execs and Accounts for March 10, 2003

Digital marketing firm aQuantive (formerly Avenue A, Inc.) has appointed Richard Fox to its board of directors.

Fox worked for the accounting firm Ernst & Young LLP for 28 years and served as managing partner of its Seattle office. Prior to Ernst & Young, he was the president and chief operating officer of Cybersafe Corporation, an enterprise security software and software services business. Currently, Fox is a partner of RavenFire LLC, a consulting firm specializing in corporate strategy.

“Rick’s experience in the high-technology industry, including corporate finance, strategy, and mergers and acquisitions, will be a tremendous asset to our board of directors,” said Brian McAndrews, president and CEO of aQuantive.

24/7 Real Media has signed representation agreements with Business.com and Office.com. Both will use 24/7 Real Media’s Open AdStream technology to deliver advertising and sponsorship campaigns to business users. The sites will be sold as individual properties as well as part of 24/7 Real Media’s B2B Channel.

“We were attracted to 24/7 Real Media because of their expertise in the B2B marketplace and the proven quality and customer service attributes of Open AdStream,” said Tom Graham, president of Office.com.

Noise Media has launched an advergame with sweepstakes for Toyota Motor Sales USA. The Toyota Rally Race is an interactive, animated sweepstakes game featuring four Toyota models, including the Matrix, Tacoma, MR2, and Celica.

“Noise Media helped us maximize our targeted reach with innovative initiatives such as a branded CD, targeted email, and performance based rich media placement,” said Laura Lee, coordinator of Toyota’s program.

Toyota’s stated goal with the campaign was to forge new brand awareness among a younger Toyota target audience — some of whom will not even have a driver’s license for a few years. The campaign was also aimed at collecting consumer data for use in future direct marketing campaigns.

The City of Hollister, California has tapped marketing firm e21 to complete a redesign of its Web site. The new site will include information, forms and e-government services for Hollister’s citizens, providing greater access to public services information and enabling faster response to emergencies. It will also support citizen surveys on topics of public interest.

“The City of Hollister needs a new Web site to improve government efficiency and help support public safety,” said George Lewis, city manager. “The new Web site will enable us to rapidly update the site’s content without requiring technical support, minimizing costs and allowing us to better respond to regional emergencies.”

Hollister contracted e21 to design the new site in Spanish and English to maximize access by all users and residents.

Rich media technology player CheckM8 has hired Carter Nicholas as director of business development. Nicholas was most recently VP of international media at DoubleClick, responsible for the company’s media business in Latin America, Canada and Southern Europe. He was also responsible for business and product development at AdOne Classified Network.

New York-based interactive branding agency Ultra 16 has opened an office in San Francisco. Clients to be serviced from the San Francisco office include the agency’s hallmark client, Sony Electronics, and some newly signed projects.

“We’re here to create jobs,” said John Garrison, director of strategy. “Nowadays, smaller companies are empowered to find great spaces and do great work. This is the perfect time to open shop in San Francisco.”

For more breaking news on account action and executive moves, visit ChannelSeven.com.