Company Town : Chiat / Day CFO to Join Fox as Financial Chief

Twentieth Century Fox said Monday that it has lured away the chief financial officer of advertising firm Chiat/Day to become the studio’s top financial executive.

Simon T. Bax, who reports to Fox President Bill Mechanic, will become the studio’s senior vice president and chief financial officer. He will head the financial operations tied to the production and distribution of Fox films, Fox video products and other matters.

* MCA Music Entertainment has promoted Paula Batson to senior vice president of public relations and special projects development. MCA said the move was part of the company’s continued expansion into international markets and its interest in emerging technologies.

* Jolene Cherry, executive producer and musical supervisor for the hit soundtrack for “The Crow,” has signed an exclusive production and consulting deal with Atlantic Group to develop soundtracks, tribute albums and other projects.

* Larry Stessel has been named senior vice president and general manager of EMI Records.

* Michael Zucker has been named senior vice president of creative services by MCA TV.

* Economist Arthur B. Laffer has joined the board of directors of ValueVision International, the Minneapolis-based home shopping channel.

* Adam R. Platnick is the new chief operating officer at film producer New Regency Productions.

* Fox Broadcasting has named Mark Kern vice president of corporate public relations and Paul Gendreal vice president of entertainment publicity.