Ken Graffeo left PolyGram Video to become senior vp-marketing at sister company Universal Studios Home Video. The move came shortly before parent Seagram Co. sold PolyGram to USA Networks, Inc.

United Paramount Network named Geoff Calnan executive vp-marketing. Head of promotions at Fox Broadcasting from ’89 to ’97, he more recently ran his own ad and promo shop called CBO-TV.

Steven Ross promoted to president of Twentieth Century Fox Licensing and Merchandising. The division recently scored with clothing lines inspired by TV shows Ally McBeal and Buffy, the Vampire Slayer.

Cheryl Lodinger named senior vp-marketing at Columbia TriStar Home Video. She replaces Nancy Harris, who moved to the company’s film marketing group.

Upgrades: Edward Egan to executive vp Universal Pictures Marketing; Mike Mjehovich to senior vp-sales and marketing and Larry Pukel to director of national sales at BMG Special Products; Dawn Taubin to executive vp at Warners Bros. Domestic Theatrical Marketing; Betts Fitzgerald to senior vp-licensing at The Jim Henson Co.

Universal Pictures tapped Terry Curtin as executive vp-publicity. She had been senior vp at Buena Vista Pictures Marketing.

Former Death Row Records president Hank Caldwell was named vp-general manager of urban music at Platinum Entertainment, Inc.

PBS named Judy Braune vp-strategy and brand management for the media network’s newly restructured Communications & Brand Management department. Also, Carrie Johnson was named director of program promotion strategy and special events.

Columbia Pictures named Maggie Monteith vp-global strategic marketing. She had handled marketing for films in the U.K. and Ireland from parent Sony’s London offices.

Universal Consumer Products promoted Lisa Berlin to senior vp-worldwide promotions.

Tom Meyer, manager of worldwide marketing partnerships for Paramount Pictures, was named director of entertainment marketing for Davie-Brown Entertainment, Santa Monica, CA.

Former Marvel Entertainment Group promotions director Felicia Bechtel joined New York City-based Internet programming and marketing venture PrizePoint as its promo director.

The Jim Henson Co. named Paula Freeman senior vp-corporate marketing worldwide. She had been vp-marketing services for Walt Disney’s Disneyland Resort. Freeman replaces Susan Frank, who left to become executive vp-general manager of Odyssey Entertainment Group, the Odyssey Channel’s programming and marketing arm.

Fox Broadcasting Co.’s senior vp-on-air promotion Bob Bouknight left to launch Darn Good Entertainment, a marketing and promotion boutique. The West Coast agency already has Fox as a client.

National radio network Westwood One named Lil Amatore director of marketing and promotion.

BMG Entertainment named Bill Wilson vp-worldwide marketing.

Universal Studios senior vp Hellene Runtagh was promoted to executive vp and given additional responsibility for parent Seagram’s global sourcing and real estate operations. She remains in charge of Universal’s consumer products and corporate marketing.

Warner Bros. Consumer Products vp-promotions Jordan Sollitto climbed the ladder to senior vp-promotions and studio stores marketing.

Max Goldberg left his post as vp-promotions at Buena Vista Home Entertainment to become vp-integrated marketing at Buena Vista Internet Group. A replacement has not been named.

Fox Family Worldwide named Rita Prosyak director of promotions. She had been account executive, consumer promotions, and will continue reporting to promotions vp George Leon.

Warner Bros. Domestic Theatrical Marketing named Massey Rafani senior vp-creative advertising.

The itsy bitsy Entertainment Co., New York City, named Robert Kanner head of acquisitions and development. He had been director of acquisitions for Buena Vista Home Entertainment. The company also named Don Gold president of its new LA division.

The Jim Henson Co. named Amy Ginsberg director of marketing and Robyn Kerner associate vp-marketing.

Disney Consumer Products named Audrey Finci executive vp of Walt Disney Art Classics and Disney Direct Marketing.

Paramount Pictures, Hollywood, promoted Lisa DiMarzio to senior vp-worldwide marketing partnerships for the Motion Picture Group. She had been vp-promotions.

TBS, Inc., Atlanta, named Kim McQuilken senior vp-general manager of Cartoon Network Sales and Marketing. The position puts him in charge of licensed promotions, presence marketing, and advertising sales for the company’s entire kids’ business, which has been regrouped under the Cartoon Network flag. McQuilken had been senior vp-licensed promotions and presence marketing for Turner Broadcasting Sales.

Trimark Pictures, Santa Monica, CA, promoted David Elzer to vp-worldwide marketing. He had been heading up theatrical publicity.

Warner Bros., Burbank, CA, named Ricky Mintz senior vp as part of a restructuring at in-house creative ad agency The Idea Place. Mintz had been vp-marketing and creative services at Capitol Records’ Entertainment Properties division. In other moves at Warner Bros., Jon Sparrman was promoted to vp-print advertising.

Universal Motion Picture Group named Lori Sale senior vp-promotion. Since 1986, Sale has run Marketing Mix, a St. Louis-based marketing firm specializing in entertainment.

Howard Kreitzman was named executive vp-merchandising for Warner Bros. Studio Stores, Burbank, CA.

Children’s programming network BKN named Cindy Coughlin vp-domestic licensing and merchandising, and promoted Veronique Angelino to senior vp-worldwide licensing and merchandising.

Fox Family Worldwide announced a new deal, one hire, and one promotion. Fox signed a first-look production agreement with Ellen Levy-Sarnoff to produce and develop series for both Fox Family Channel and Fox Kids Network. She had been vp-development for UPN. Adam Chesnoff was named vp-business development. He will explore new business opportunities for the company and monitor the expansion of its international networks. Lou Bortone was promoted to senior vp-marketing and advertising. He will oversee the company’s marketing services division, which includes Fox Family Channel, Fox Kids Network, and Saban Entertainment.

Richard Longwell was named senior vp-sales and distribution of Universal’s music and video division. He will oversee video sell-through and rental for all channels of distribution. In other Universal news, Bob Fiorella was named vp-planning and finance, Gregg Schoenborn was promoted to vp-business development, and Kim Johnson was promoted to executive director-licensing.

The Jim Henson Co. promoted Heather Hanssen to marketing coordinator.

Sony Signatures added two new members to its licensing and marketing team. Susan Valero will be director of licensing and marketing and Mary Hyink will be director of retail sales and promotion.

David Palmer named to the new position of vp of marketing of Columbia TriStar TV Children’s Programming. Palmer had been vp of marketing for MGM’s Consumer Products division. In his new position, Palmer will be responsible for marketing, advertising, and PR regarding the division’s animated and live-action series.

James J. Buettgen named senior vp marketing at Hollywood Entertainment Corp., the parent company of Hollywood Video stores. He is a veteran of Darden Restaurants’ Olive Garden chain and General Mills. Lon S. Weingart was named vp merchandising at the same company. He had worked for Starbucks.

Cynthia C. Cleveland promoted to president of the Universal Studios Consumer Products Group. She will be responsible for all the company’s global consumer products strategy. She was previously the president of the group’s merchandising and licensing.

Fox Family Worldwide, Los Angeles, created a consumer products division to be run by Elie Dekel, exec. vp of the new unit. The division will include licensing and merchandising, promotions, and home video. Dekel had been exec vp of marketing and advertising for Fox Family Worldwide.

Alice Cahn was named group president, TV, film, and video, for Children’s Television Network, New York. She had been director of children’s programming for PBS. Cahn will be responsible for all CTW’s creative projects.

Kelly Gilmore was promoted to vp, toys and theme park licensing for Warner Bros. Consumer Products. She will oversee the branding and character usage for the new Premier Parks relationship. Premier Parks includes 31 theme parks, 12 of which will retain the Six Flags name.

Susan McMurray hired as vp, international sales, for MGM Consumer Products. She had been vp, licensing, at Strottman International.

David Vogler returned to Nickelodeon Online as vp, creative. Vogler led the development and launch of Nick Online in 1995 before leaving to go to Disney Online. He will oversee the design, creative development, and content development for all of Nick’s online Web sites.

Bonnie Fisher Pollan and Ken Williams were both promoted to vp sales for Paramount Pictures Home Video. Fisher Pollan started at Paramount Home Video as manager of retail marketing. She will head the home video sell-through team. Williams will oversee Paramount’s rental business.

Cindy Hauser promoted to senior vp, marketing and creative director, Fox Broadcasting Co. She had been senior vp, print advertising, special projects, and online entertainment. She will ensure the creative consistency with the many Fox marketing efforts.

Steven M. Ross was promoted to executive vp and gm, licensing and merchandising, at Twentieth Century Fox. He will assume all global long-range planning and day-to-day responsibilities for Fox films and TV shows. He had been executive vp, worldwide promotions and product placement. Katie Chin was hired as senior vp worldwide promotions to take Ross’s place. Chin hadbeen vp worldwide entertainment and licensing for Alcone Marketing Group. Previously, she had worked at Fox, Disney, MCA/Universal, and Orion Pictures.

Shannon Ryan-Nicosia was promoted to director of domestic theatrical promotions at Warner Bros. She had been manager of worldwide corporate promotions.

Dennis Rice was named president worldwide marketing of October Films. He will oversee all marketing, publicity, and promotions for October Films and its offshoot, Rogue Pictures. Rice had been Disney’s home video chief marketing officer.

Three executives were promoted at Viacom Consumer Products. Pam Newton moved from vp domestic sales, to vp marketing; Suzie Dominick went from executive director of product development to vp of merchandising; and Jeanne Redlin, the former manager of publicity and promotions, is now director of marketing. Viacom merchandises properties for Paramount Pictures, Paramount TV, Simon & Shuster, and Viacom Productions.

Michael Z. Hobson was hired as the president of Parachute Properties. He will oversee worldwide development, sales, marketing, and licensing for Parachute. The company’s titles include the Goosebumps series, the Fear Street series, and The Adventures of Mary Kate & Ashley.

M.J. Chisholm was named vp merchandising for DIC Entertainment. DIC properties include Madeline, Carmen Sandiego, Archie, and Mummies Alive.