Hughes Electronics Corp. elevates Bob Marsocci to VP of corporate communications. He will retain his position as director of comms for DirecTV Inc., a Hughes subsidiary.
Marsocci replaces George Jamison, who was named VP of communications at United Technologies Corp.
Charlene Fern, former speechwriter for First Lady Laura Bush, becomes director of executive communications at Merck & Co.
Rebecca Novak-Tibbitt joins Purdue Pharma as manager of public affairs. Novak-Tibbitt was a VP with GCI Group.
MetLife hires David Monfried as SVP of corporate comms. Monfried was VP of communications at the St. Paul Cos. in Saint Paul, Minn.
Agency Moves
Burson-Marsteller names Andrew Nibley chairman of Marsteller, its advertising, event management and interactive unit. Nibley was with Vivendi Universal ... The agency also
appoints Sarah Lora, a former Telemundo news anchor, manager of the U.S. Hispanic practice in Texas.