MARK THIS SPOT: Veteran label exec Mark Williams joins Columbia Records Group as SVP A&R, it was announced by President Ashley Newton. Williams recently worked with Grammy- and Oscar-nominated artist M.I.A. on her upcoming third album. Williams comes to the label from Interscope, where he signed such acts as M.I.A. and The Hives, and workied with Gwen Stefani, No Doubt, Beck, Queens of the Stone Age, NIN, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Marilyn Manson. He also signed comic Sarah Silverman, co-producing her hit film, Jesus Is Magic. Williams began his career in 1980 as head of New Music Marketing for A&M Records, developing the Go-Go’s, UB40, OMD and R.E.M. He joined Virgin Records U.S. at inception in 1986, signing such artists as The Smashing Pumpkins, Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven. In 1996, Mark joined Scot Litt and Andy Gershon to form Outpost Recordings with Geffen Records, where they signed and developed Whiskytown (with Ryan Adams), The Crystal Method, Veruca Salt and Days of the New. (6/17p)