Making a theme like this

For an upcoming theme that I need to create (I’ll use the Sandbox-theme to start with), I must create it to be able to have these two functions:

1) There will be designated ad-spots. I would like to be able to choose what ad to put in what place from the admin-interface, if possible. Otherwise you may suggest alternative arrangements. (As a last resort, I’ll hard-code in the ads.)

2) The front-page is NOT to display the latest posts. Instead, I want it to display a selected number of posts, that I have selected in the admin-interface. I also want to be able to choose how many posts to display on the front-page. (e.g. admin interface to add/remove posts from front-page)

How can I most easily do this? I am a programmer, but not with too much experience of WordPress. Are there any plugins available to help me with the admin-stuff?

thanks.