Initiative Media Division Names President

Carolyn Bivens has been promoted to president and chief operating officer of Initiative Media North America. Bivens, 48, joined the media-buying company in 2000 as managing director of its Los Angeles-based Western region. She previously served as associate publisher of USA Today. Bivens will report to Initiative Media Worldwide Chairman and Chief Executive Louis Schultz.

Initiative Media, part of Interpublic Group of Cos., also said James Bell has been named president and chief operating officer of IM121, a new relationship marketing unit based in Los Angeles. Bell, 52, had served as managing director of the company’s Eastern region. Initiative Media had billings of $7.2 billion in 2000. It is the media buyer for companies such as Walt Disney Co., America Online and Home Depot Inc.

* Film producer Kathleen Kennedy has been elected interim president of the Producers Guild of America. She succeeds Thom Mount, who resigned his post after serving a three-year term.

* Marketing communications firm Pittard Sullivan has named Mel Harrison to the new post of vice president of business development. Harrison was a partner and co-president of Images Digital Post in Studio City.

* Ken Pyle has joined the Specialty Equipment Market Assn. in Diamond Bar as its educational services director. Pyle was with the National Hot Rod Assn. for 10 years, most recently as director of youth and education services.