HUSH is pleased to announce the addition of art director and design and concept development artist Andre Salyer to its ranks. Salyer, whose multidisciplinary approach cuts across every component of experimental, interactive, and moving-image platforms, will guide HUSH’s team of designers, developers, and architects on behalf of clients.

Laguna Niguel,CA — Over the past several years, SimianSimian has quietly led a revolution that is changing the way that creative companies run their businesses. Its media management platform, used by scores of production companies, advertising agencies, music houses, visual effect providers and others, consists of an all-in-one toolset for carrying out such tasks as distributing sales reels, managing websites, creating business presentations and organizing media libraries. With cutting edge features such as video analytics previously available only to Fortune 500 companies, the Simian platform is helping companies work smarter in ways that would have been unimaginable just a few years ago.

Simian introduced its platform in 2008 as a way to help creative companies manage their growing libraries of video and other media files. Its creators combined their expertise in software development, web design, branding, graphic design and content management, with in-depth research into the business practices of potential users.

In Partnership with Digital Production Company Tool, Initiatives Allow Audiences To Uniquely Engage And Interact With Network’s New Original Programming

Innovative Platforms Create Experiences For Fans That Bring Sundance Channel’s New Original Programming To Life

Butter Music and Sound is pleased to announce the addition of West Coast Creative Director Mario Grigorov. Mario brings an impressive and diverse musical history to the company – In addition to scoring Shadowboxer, Tennessee, The Paperboy, and the Academy Award-winning Precious, Grigorov has also audio branded major campaigns for LEGO, Cymbalta, BMW, JCPenney, and more over the course of nearly a decade as the Owner and Creative Director of Los Angeles-based Siblings Music.

Flatiron-based, full-service creative editorial boutique Wild(child) charges into 2013 with the signing of Editor Jeff Stevens. Stevens arrives on the heels of a banner year that saw the additions of Executive Producer Amy Lazarus, as well as award-winning Editors Diego Panich and Tom Schachte. “With a major rebrand just around the corner and a growing roster of versatile artists, there’s a lot going on here that speaks to the new face of the company,” noted Stevens.

MPC reinforces both its VFX capabilities and recently launched NY-based color grading team with the addition of Camila De Biaggi as co-head of production alongside Derek Macleod-Veilleux, and Claudia Guevara as head of color. Both women join MPC from The Mill.

Company founder Greg Allan shows how sound can be used as a branding tool in keynote address to 4th annual summit for design and innovation leaders; address followed by interactive music demonstration session with Indian percussionist Kaylan Pathak.

Chicago – Sonixphere, a global resource for everything connected to music and sound, recently hosted A Better View Strategic Consulting LLC’s annual “D Event” leadership summit, which this year focused on the expanding role of sound in brand design. Organized by A Better View President and Founder John Gleason, the invitation-only event was attended by more than two dozen senior design and innovation executives from leading worldwide consumer packaged goods companies including Kimberly Clarke, Pepsico, Wrigley, MillerCoors, Colgate Palmolive and Texaco.

Poetica – the Soho-based studio that specializes in award-winning live-action and post-production for commercials, music videos, web content and more – has added Managing Director Rachelle Madden to its team. She joins a rich roster of creative and directorial talent, including Director Anthony Furlong, Photographer/Director Brian Cross, CD Steve Tozzi, Sr. VFX Artist Aaron Vasquez, Director of CGI John Clausing, Sr. VFX Artist David Elkins, Flame Artist Amanda Amalfi and two new talent signings to be announced later this month.

Sad news adgrunts, Bob Levenson writer of DDB fame who was inducted to the One Club Hall of fame way back in 1972, has put his pen down. Few have tweeted about this, prompting adgrunts in the UK to ponder (much like Bob's ad above) Is this ad some kind of trick? .

Jerry Della Femina confirms the news on his facebook page.

The copy of the ad above is as relevant today as it was when Bob submitted it to to TIME magazine in 1960.

DALLAS—Continuing to grow its creative staff, Dallas editorial boutique Treehouse has hired editor Jayson Limmer. Formerly with 3008, Limmer arrives with more than eight years of experience in cutting spots for agencies in Dallas and other markets, and credits that include such brands as Charter, Western Union, Gamestop, Red Lobster, HEB and Zales. In his first project for Treehouse, Limmer is editing a new campaign for Pennsylvania-based convenience store chain Wawa and Dallas agency The Richards Group.

The latest upgrade of the industry-leading media management platform focuses on usability; includes redesigned presentations, a robust HTML5 player, enhanced email branding options and a more user-friendly design.

Laguna Niguel—Simian, the global leader in creative workflow and media management solutions, takes video sharing to the next level with the latest update to its groundbreaking media sharing platform, which includes a state-of-the art HTML5 video player.

Following the recent additions of directors Seth Townsend and Xander™, and partner Chris Zander, Backyard continues its expansion with the addition of Head of Production Emily Malito. A multi-talented production professional adept in both the broadcast and commercial arenas, Malito joins Backyard after five years at GO Film.

LOS ANGELES — Director Javier Aguilera has joined Bully Pictures for exclusive U.S. representation. Aguilera brings more than ten years of experience as a director, an award-winning reel and an international reputation to his new home. His work for such brands as Lexus, Virgin Mobile, Toyota, and VW, among others, has been heralded for its innovative storytelling and cinematic execution.

“We are super excited to add Javier to our roster,” says Bully Executive Producer Astrid Downs. “His eclectic narrative style is infused by a fresh, youthful energy that should attract top creative in our market.”

New York-based GOODCOMPANY is an innovative, producer-led production company that makes commercials, music videos, and films around the world.

Final deadline for moving image advertising and branded entertainment awards is December 28th, 2012

Hollywood, CA.– The 2nd annual A-List Awards Hollywood (formerly known as NXT STAGE Hollywood International Awards), has extended the deadline for its Moving Image Advertising and Branded Entertainment awards to Friday, December 28, 2012. The A-List Awards Hollywood is the first creative advertising competition of its kind in Hollywood, the entertainment capital, to focus on the intersection between advertising and entertainment across all platforms.

To be eligible, submitted work must have first appeared between October 1, 2011 and December 31, 2012. December 28, 2012 will be the FINAL deadline for entries. No further extensions will be granted.

Butter is expanding its New York based team with the addition of Composer Joel Dean and Associate Producer Annick Mayer. The pair of nimble talents can dart easily between the advertising and music worlds, fitting right in with Butter’s dynamic culture.

“Annick and Joel are incredibly talented and are a great addition to the family,” noted Butter EP Ian Jeffreys. “Both have a sophisticated musical acumen that will help to enrich the diversity of services we offer our clients. We’re thrilled to have them on board.”

Here's Sir Martin Sorrell, Chief Executive of WPP, being honored at The Partnership at Drugfree.org’s 10th annual Winter Wish Gala, because when you are the big man in the world's largest advertising company by revenues you don't need drugs. High on power, you see. Even the lovely lady, Patricia Russo, Chairman of The Partnership at Drugfree.org, who is handing him the trofé knows.

Nice Shoes has promoted Flame artist Vin Roma to lead the studio’s visual effects department. As Head of VFX, he’ll be working closely with the heads of other departments in evaluating the studio’s approach to integrated production jobs, as well as with engineering and production in advising on workflow efficiencies and best practices. “Vin’s experience, enthusiasm and desire to further grow the department and integrate with the other teams make him a great fit for this leadership role,” said Managing Director Kristen Martini. Roma will continue in his role as a Flame artist, having worked with brands such as Google, Vick’s, IBM, UPS, and Calvin Klein; as well as top celebrities like Nicki Minaj, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, and Kanye West.

Click 3X is pleased to announce the addition of Senior Producer Danon Hinty to its production team. Hinty joins the crew after freelancing extensively with Click 3X over the past year in between runs working the London Olympics with NBC. A seasoned pro in the long- and short-form postproduction worlds, as well as in the realm of broadcast design project management, Hinty brings a reel that includes two of Dave Attell’s Showtime hit series Dave’s Old Porn, HBO Sports 24/7 and UFC Primetime, and Discovery’s Dirty Money.

MPC NY, the versatile creative studio, has fortified its credentials with the addition of David Estis as its new creative director of digital. Estis, who joins the studio from B-Reel, is a multidisciplinary creative specializing in motion, experiential, and interactive design. In his new position, Estis will focus on integrating digital, design, and broadcast VFX for agency and direct-to-brand clients.