Huge Aligned With Unilever; Bossert to R/GA New York [Execs/Accounts]

Lowe & Partners tapped Huge as its preferred digital partner for Unilever. The agencies will work together on Unilever brands worldwide, beginning with household cleaning brands Cif and Sunlight in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Latin America, and Asia.

Huge CEO Aaron Shapiro said an overall increase in Unilever’s social media presence is in the works.  Last year, Unilever CMO Keith Weed said the company aims to double its digital budget this year.  In some countries, teh shift could mean interactive channels will command 25 to 30 percent of spending.

R/GA New York hired Thomas Bossert (pictured) as group director/executive creatiev director. He is charged with establishing creative vision for R/GA’s brand development group, working with Jennifer Meyers, from Interbrand.  He joins from 4 Corners Design, which he founded in 2004.

Havas Digital named Andrew Altersohn president, Havas Digital North America.  Altersohn, former executive leadership team member of Publicis Modem USA, will seek to drive strategic growth and developing unique and diverse digital product offerings for clients.

CNBC added three regional sales directors in its digital and mobile ad unit. Rik Gates, formerly senior regional manager of Forbes.com, was appointed Eastern sales director.  Brian Hickey, former Chicago account manager for CNNMoney.com, became Midwest sales director.  And Bob Maund, from INXPO, was named West Coast sales director.  The appointments follow considerable digital growth at CNBC Digital.  In February, CNBC.com had a record of 6.8 million visitors, according to comScore, while CNBC’s Real-Time iPhone App reached a record of 47 million page views.