GroupM has named Ernie Simon president of GroupM Consulting Services, a new division that will aim to help clients improve marketing effectiveness and results. Simon was most recently chief strategy officer at OMD, but he’s no stranger to GroupM–he was at Mindshare from 1998 to 2009.

Ad agency Organic has made a few moves, including naming Monik Sanghvi chief strategy officer. Sanghvi had been executive vice president and chief digital and integration officer at Team Detroit. Organic has also made two promotions, naming Joe DiMeglio chief client officer and Audrey Melofchik general manager of the New York office. DiMeglio was previously senior vice president and general manager in Detroit, while Melofchik was senior vice president of engagement management.

Discovery Communications has named Leslie Grandy senior vice president of product and development, working with the company’s digital media division. Grandy joins from T-Mobile, where she was vice president of product and systems development.

Nena Rodrigue has joined Sundance Channel, becoming the cable network’s senior vice president of original production and development. Rodrigue was previously executive vice president and executive producer at Wolf Films.

The Washington Post has promoted Scott Vance to deputy managing editor, putting him charge of the paper’s news coverage both in print and online. Vance had been news editor. The paper has also made two other promotions reporting to Vance, naming Barbara Vobejda news editor and Eric Rich Universal Desk editor.

NBC News has promoted Betsy Fischer Martin to senior executive producer at “Meet the Press,” as well as managing editor for political coverage. Martin had been executive producer at the show for the past 11 years.

Writers and producers Josh Bycel and Jonathan Fener have signed a new deal at Universal Television, and they will begin by serving as executive producers on the NBC comedy pilot “Assistance.” The duo also produce ABC’s “Happy Endings.”

ABC has added actress Kelly Preston to its comedy pilot “Keep Calm and Karey On,” playing the lead role of Karey. Preston’s most recent TV role was on the drama “Medium.”

Actor Anthony Head has joined the cast of CW’s “The Selection,” playing a king in the futuristic drama. Head played Rupert Giles on WB’s “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”

ABC has named Joey Lawrence and Charissa Thompson hosts of “Splash,” its upcoming reality diving competition series. Lawrence stars in ABC Family’s “Melissa & Joey,” and Thompson co-hosts ESPN2′s “SportsNation.”

Dr. Sanjay Gupta has joined the health web site Everyday Health, where he will contribute to its site for medical professionals MedPage Today, which launches March 15. Gupta is chief medical correspondent at CNN and also contributes on CBS’s “60 Minutes.”

Tags: Barbara Vobejda, Betsy Fischer Martin, chief strategy officer, Ernie Simon, executive vice president, GroupM Consulting Services, Joey Lawrence, Jonathan Fener, Kelly Preston, Monik Sanghvi, Sanjay Gupta, Scott Vance, senior vice president