The Gospel Music Channel has upped Angela Cannon to director of affiliate marketing for the Eastern region. Cannon, who has been with Gospel Music Channel for almost two years, will now work to promote the network's values and develop affiliate marketing initiatives.

Hallmark has named Jennifer Geisser vice president of corporate communications for Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel, based in the New York City office. Geisser, who ran her own consultancy firm, Geisser Media, will now work to develop and execute strategic public relations campaigns, working closely with her counterparts on the West Coast.

Discovery Networks has upped Bob Sitrick to senior vice president of live production and special projects, where he will oversee planning and operation aspects of the network's live events and function as a key technical adviser. Sitrick had previously been vice president of live production and special projects.

HBO/Cinemax has promoted Liza Kalikow to manager of program planning and scheduling, as well as Pam Nemoto to scheduler. Nemoto will report to Kalikow.

AARP Publications has promoted Shari Horowitz to associate director of marketing events and promotion for AARP Publications, where she will be responsible for marketing efforts and working with advertising clients and agencies. Horowitz has been with AARP since 2002, before which she had been a special projects manager and consultant for Gruner + Jahr USA Publishing.

AARP Publications has hired Michelle Alvarez as senior manager of media relations in order to support the group's broadcast and entertainment efforts. Prior to joining AARP, Alvarez had been senior manager at Hearst Magazines.

LIN Television has hired Courtney Guertin as public relations specialist. Prior to joining LIN, Guertin was assistant director of communications for Harrah's Entertainment's 2006 political campaign in Rhode Island.

The New York Times Co. has named James M. Follo chief financial officer as well as senior vice president, succeeding Leonarrd P. Forman, who is retiring at the end of the year. Follo was previously the chief financial officer of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. He has also held various positions at General Media International Inc. and Grant Thornton, an independent public accounting firm.

Goodman Media International has upped Sabrina Tanenbaum to account manager, based in New York City. Tanenbaum will specialize in media, corporate and entertainment clients.

Sara Evans, the country singer who dropped out of the "Dancing With the Stars" competition in October when her marriage fell apart, is joining the show's road tour. Also with the tour are Harry Hamlin, Drew Lachey, Joey Lawrence, Joey McIntyre, Lisa Rinna and talk show host Jerry Springer, who recently said he was quitting his syndicated radio show after two years.

Federal Judge Richard Smoak sentenced Joe Francis, the multimillionaire founder of the "Girls Gone Wild" video empire, to a $1.6 million fine and community service this week for exploitation of underage girls. Francis filmed drunken 17-year-olds for his raunchy video series, and in his defense claimed that they had lied about their age and that he had not intended to damage anyone.

Harry N. Abrams, a publishing company, has hired Colleen Linsay as director of marketing operations. Lindsay had previously been publicity director at Soho Press.

Ahmet Ertegun, who founded Atlantic Records in 1947, died yesterday at the age of 83. He had fallen backstage at a Rolling Stones concert in October and suffered a brain injury, and had been in a coma since then. As the head of Atlantic Records, Ertegun helped shape the careers of music greats such as Ray Charles, John Coltrane, Led Zeppelin and others, until stepping down from his corporate duties in 1996.