Roy Oppenheim has been hired as a designer at broadcast and commercial design firm EyeballNYC. The designer came to New York in 2000 after having worked at several Israeli companies as a designer and design director. His U.S. freelance assignments included projects for Manhattan Transfer and FDG. Oppenheim brings to the company expertise in Photoshop, Freehand, Painter Lightwave, AfterEffects and Premier. "EyeballNYC caught my interest because I like the feeling of exploration and sharing. It seems like a relaxed working environment while still being innovative," said Oppenheim.

Vivendi Universal Interactive Publishing North America has named Anita Frazier as the new vice president of kids sales. Frazier will oversee the development of sales strategies for the company's kids software titles for the PC platform. In her new post, Frazier will head retail sales and channel marketing for the kids software category, working closely with Knowledge Adventure, Syracuse Learning and affiliate label partners such as Scholastic Inc.

REZN8, a digital design and communications firm, has announced that it has created an advisory board to help guide its business and to facilitate new market initiatives. The advisory board consists of five members from various disciplines who will provide input on strategic advice and direction to Paul Sidlo, founder and CEO of REZN8. Robert Block is co-founder, chairman and CEO of International Communication Technologies Inc. (ICT). His role will include advising on strategic corporate planning, technology developments and communication structuring and negotiations.

EM.TV & Merchandising's head of finance, Rolf Rickmeyer, is stepping down after less than a year with the German firm. Rumors say that Rickmeyer had various disagreements with Kirch Group, who helped bail out EM.TV from money woes a few months back. Marius Schwarz, head of finance for German exhibitor CinemaxX, will replace Rickmeyer. Prior to CinemaxX, Schwarz oversaw finance at Sat1, the Kirch-owned commercial TV channel. Former Kirch exec Werner Klatten is set to replace EM.TV founder and CEO Thomas Haffa in September.

Cartoon Network has named Jim Samples the new executive VP and general manager of Cartoon Network Worldwide. He will remain as the general manager of Cartoon Network's online division, which he took over in March 2000. He will succeed Cartoon Network founder, Betty Cohen, who moved over to AOL Time Warner to develop new shows for teens and young adults. Samples takes over a channel whose advertising revenues are speculated to grow from US$133.6 million in 2000 to $162.5 million this year.

Brilliant Digital Entertainment has named hip-hop publisher Russell Simmons to its board of directors. Simmons' companies include Def Jam Entertainment, Phat Farm Clothing, Rush Communications and D-Rush, a joint venture with Deutsch Advertising. Simmons and his partner Stan Lathan are joint-ventured with Brilliant Digital in Digital Hip Hop, a Los Angeles-based digital production company. In addition, Brilliant Digital has announced that president Kevin Bermeister will also assume the additional role of CEO. Mark Dyne, the former CEO, will remain the company's chairman.

Gary Sproule has been named vice president of finance and chief financial officer at Disney Interactive. He will oversee the worldwide finance function for the company, including strategic planning, controllership, operations, administration and information technology. Sproule joins Disney Interactive from Whatshotnow.com, where he was the chief financial officer and chief operating officer. Prior to Whatshotnow.com, Sproule was chief financial officer at both Magnet Interactive Communications and Electek Group.

Tom Fitzgerald, head of Theme Park Productions Inc., has been promoted to executive vice president, senior creative executive, for Walt Disney Imagineering. In his new role, Fitzgerald will run the day-to-day creative operations of Walt Disney Imagineering. He will continue his current responsibilities for Theme Park Productions, which produces film media for Disney's Theme Parks. Marty Sklar, vice chairman and principal creative executive of Walt Disney Imagineering, said, "When I hired Tom 23 years ago, I saw in him something special in the way of initiative and creativity.

Black Logic has signed London-based spot and feature film special effects director David Lane. Lane made his directing debut in television on the cult series THUNDERBIRDS. His other television credits include SPACE 1999, STINGRAY, UFO, CAPTAIN SCARLET AND THE MYSTERIONS and CATWEZEL. His film credits include SUPERGIRL and SANTA CLAUS. "With David (Lane) on the Black Logic team, we can offer clients an expanded perspective on visual effects.

The Disney Channel has formed a new management team, as a result of ABC Cable Networks Group's recent reorganization. Gary Marsh was named executive vice president, original programming and production; Andrea Taylor, senior vice president, marketing; and Jill Casagrande senior vice president, programming. "This team's creative vision and expertise in the marketplace will ensure Disney Channel's place as a leader in the creation of quality, kid-driven original product," said Rich Ross, general manager, Disney Channel. "This is the perfect team to build upon our already successful network.