Former CBS President Joins Carsey-Werner

Peter Tortorici, the former president of CBS Entertainment, has joined Carsey-Werner. Tortorici, who left CBS last summer to make way for incoming Leslie Moonves, will help supervise production of the company’s four network programs, which include “Roseanne,” “Grace Under Fire,” “Cybill” and “3rd Rock From the Sun.” He will also explore new business ventures for the company, including opportunities in merchandising and marketing, and in new media, such as creating Internet services. The company, which is among the last independent television producers, has expanded in the last year, forming a feature film arm as well as a syndication division to reacquire existing programs now distributed by Viacom and to sell new shows.

* Promotion ace Daniel Glass has been named president of Universal Records, the New York-based label launched last year by MCA Inc. Glass, during his 15-year career in the music business, has helped orchestrate hits for Sinead O’Connor and Billy Idol and served as president and CEO at EMI Records.

* Kenneth L. Kahrs has been appointed senior vice president of human resources for MCA.

* Abbey Konowitch, who helped orchestrate the success of Grammy winner Alanis Morrisette at Maverick Records, has been named executive vice president of MCA Records. Former Geffen sales rep Jayne Simon has been named senior vice president of marketing and sales.

* Richard Bengloff has been promoted to vice president of distribution operations for Sony Music Distribution.

* Mary Biebel has been promoted to vice president and associate general counsel of Warner Bros.’ theatrical legal department.

* Falcon International Communications has named M. Christopher Derick chief operating officer.

* John F. Ripp has been promoted to vice president of administrative services for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

* Howard Safenowitz has been promoted to vice president of business affairs for Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group. H. Russell Justice has been named vice president of facilities and services for Walt Disney.

* Michael Diamond has been named executive vice president of corporate communications for New World Communications Group.

* Lori Silfen has been promoted to vice president of business and legal affairs for New Line Cinema.

* Stephen Ross has been promoted to executive vice president of special projects at Warner Bros.

* Jeffrey L. Bewkes, chairman of Home Box Office, has been named to the board at Turner Broadcasting System.

* Robert Chasin has been promoted to senior vice president of business affairs for TriStar Television.

* Joe Davola has joined DreamWorks SKG to co-run, along with Dan McDermott, the company’s network television department.

* Stephen Baldikoski has been promoted to director of comedy development for Universal Television.

* Leyla Turkkan has joined the artist and repertoire division of Tom Zutaut’s Enclave label, a New York-based firm launched six months ago by EMI Music.

* Stephanie Germain was named director of development at Oliver Stone and Dan Halsted’s Illusion Entertainment Group. Separately, Charlie Gogolak joined the company as story editor.