Executive moves, week of March 17, 2008

Cooper joins Saban Capital

Craig Cooper

has joined Saban Capital Group as a managing director and head of the firm’s new digital media investment practice. Saban is a Los Angeles-based private investment firm that focuses on the media, entertainment and communications industries. Cooper previously was a venture partner with VantagePoint Venture Partners, and, before that, was a founding partner of Softbank Capital Technology Fund. He also was a co-founder of Boost Mobile.

BC Partners boosts staff

James Rubin

and Daniel Selmonosky have joined BC Partners as senior partners in the buyout firm’s New York office, effective May 1. They previously were founding partners with One Equity Partners. In related news, Raymond Svider and Justin Bateman will relocate from BC Partners’ London office to New York.

Globespan adds Leff

Daniel Leff

has joined Globespan Capital Partners as a venture partner, with a focus on cleantech opportunities. Leff will work in the firm’s Palo Alto, Calif.-based office and work alongside Managing Directors Ullas Naik and Dave Fachetti. Last fall, he left Harris & Harris Group, where he had been a managing director and executive vice president.

YL names Goldberg venture partner

Robert Goldberg

has joined YL Ventures as a venture partner. He previously was a managing director with Idealab. Goldberg will work from Silicon Valley, which will complement YL Ventures’ existing offices in Amsterdam and Israel. He also will serve on the board of YL Ventures portfolio company ClickTale. YL Ventures is in the midst of raising its inaugural fund with a $30 million target.

Hilco hires Kassamali

Reyaz Kassamali has joined Hilco Consumer Capital as a managing director based in Toronto. He previously was with Financo. Hilco is a private equity firm focused on buying North American consumer companies.

Murphy joins Blackstone

Gerry Murphy

has joined The Blackstone Group as a London-based managing director in the firm’s private equity group. He previously spent five years as CEO of Kingfisher, and previously served as CEO of Carlton Communications and Greencore Group.

Foster heads to Noro-Moseley

Greg Foster

has joined venture firm Noro-Moseley Partners to focus on digital media opportunities. He previously was a vice president of corporate development with Turner Broadcasting. Noro-Moseley says that one of the five investments it has made from its $110 million fund VI has been in the digital media space.

Dyson joins Lazard

Brendan Dyson

has joined Lazard as a managing director in the firm’s corporate finance advisory group. He previously was with Piper Jaffray as a managing director and head of convertible securities.

Linsalata adds Beg

Murad Beg

has joined Cleveland-based private equity firm Linsalata Capital Partners as a vice president. He previously was a partner with law firm Calfee Halter & Griswold, where he served as co-head of the M&A practice.

Alley runs for office
Allen Alley, a onetime general partner with Battery Ventures, announced that he’s running for the GOP nomination for State Treasurer in Oregon. His most recent job was as deputy chief of staff for Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski.