TACODA Hires Data Strategist, Promotes to Fill Privacy Role

AOL-owned behavioral targeting firm TACODA, has appointed analyst and quant researcher Dan Grigorovici as VP of Data Strategy and Analytics, while Khan Smith has been promoted to the post of Chief Privacy Officer.

For the past 10 months, Grigorovici has been VP Strategy & Analysis at Digitas, where he supported the integration of online and offline data for new methodologies in behavioural and lifestyle/aspirational segmentation. Earlier positions were as Associate Director Data Intelligence at Carat Fusion, and Market Research Analyst at Fastclick and Ogilvy & Mather. He holds a PhD from Penn State University.

In the newly created post, Grigorovici will concentrate on developing integrated, automated data reporting solutions and complex user modeling techniques for segmentation, targeting and personalisation.

Smith has been VP Product Management since joining the firm in 2005. He replaces Mark Pinney who recently became Head of Business Planning at parent firm AOL. Previously Smith was Senior Product Planner for Microsoft's MSN audience segmentation tool suit, driving product strategy, planning, technical development and sales planning. Before this he was with interactive agency Avenue A and Boeing Commercial Airplane Group.

President Daniel Jaye outlined the firm's commitment to online consumer privacy and added: 'I am certain that Khan will ensure that we remain the recognised leader in privacy protection.'

The firm was acquired by AOL in September (www.mrweb.com/drno/news7281.htm ), and promoted Jaye from his product management and development role earlier this month (www.mrweb.com/drno/news7389.htm ). Established in 2001 to help brand advertisers target relevant messages to specific segments, the company is on the web at www.tacoda.com.

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.