ALEX CAMACHO has been named as the new senior consultant for multicultural services at The Pert Group. Most recently was president of Hispanic Senses Marketing. Camacho said: “Defining and meeting the tastes, expectations and buying trends of multicultural consumers is critical if businesses are to expand their brand and revenue growth. I look forward to helping The Pert Group clients understand this new market dynamic.”

Marketing intelligence software house Visual IQ has appointed MADAN BHARADWAJ as vice president of product management.

MARCO BARBACCIA becomes international director of electronic and digital audience measurement at Ipsos MediaCT. He will report to CEO Richard Silman. BARBACCIA joins from AGB Nielsen where he was director of metering and field operations.

Insurance firm The Progressive Corporation has revealed that JEFF CHARNEY is to become its new chief marketing officer. He is currently in “transition” to the role which he will assume “in the near future”. He will assume control of market research as part of his overall brief. He joins from insurers Aflac.

LYNNE SALADINI has been elected president of the Mystery Shopping Providers Association. Saladini is vice president of ath Power Consulting.

CoStar Group, a provider of commercial real estate data and analytic services has appointed GLEN MARKER as its senior market advisor for the Chicago region.

Two new hires at ICM Research. NATHAN BARTLETT, becomes acting head of retail when incumbent Michelle Hesse takes maternity leave later this month. Bartlett joins from Ipsos Mori where he was director and head of the retail and shopper team. DAVID PERRY leaves TNS to join ICM as project director in the firm’s financial team.