News Briefs

CENDANT HOTEL GROUP: said it plans to merge its AmeriHost Inn franchise system into the recently acquired Baymont Inn & Suites brand. Cendant decided to link the two brands together because each brand carried similar characteristics. The merger, which is designed to promote brand awareness and distribution in the marketplace, would nearly double the Baymont brand’s size and boost its marketing resources. Cendant Hotel Group acquired the Baymont Inn & Suites brand on April 7. SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT: has appointed Peter Dille to senior VP-marketing, effectively immediately. Dille most recently worked as senior VP-worldwide marketing for THQ, an interactive software publisher. Dille is responsible for the Sony’s marketing efforts in North America, including PlayStation brand management, hardware and software marketing, advertising, creative services, public relations, promotions, and online and direct marketing. In addition, the company has named Philip Rosenberg to VP-business development, a newly created position. For the last 16 years Rosenberg headed the manufacturer’s rep firm The Performance Marketing Group, a company he founded. Rosenberg will lead the team and help drive and create new revenue opportunities for the company and the PlayStation family of products.