-Nearly a year after joining Caesars Entertainment’s agency roster, NYC-based, Publicis Groupe-owned Rokkan has launched its full-scale initiative for the chain that includes a redesign across its portfolio of 41 digital properties. link
-Well, we didn’t hear back on our inquiries about this, but it appears that tipsters were right and digital shop Odopod has now officially morphed into Nurun San Francisco. link
-The e-cig onslaught continues thanks to a new TV campaign from Denver-based Cultivator Advertising & Design for Atlanta operation, FIN Branding Group (above).
-Pittsburgh-based agency MARC USA has formed a long-term strategic alliance with Carnegie Mellon University, in which the former will pluck ideas from the latter’s “lab” and infuse them into “real business solutions for clients.”
-In case you weren’t keeping track, the Cannes crew is reporting that a record 35,765 entries from 92 countries have been submitted to the 60th Lions Festival.
-Minneapolis-based mono has welcomed a trio of new creatives, effective immediately, including Meg Farquhar (O&M alum), Joanne Torres (formerly of Eleven) and Jeremy Claud (ex-copywriter from AKQA SF and Leo Burnett).
-San Francisco-based flavored syrup maker Torani has appointed hometown shop The Hive Advertising to handle its first consumer-oriented ad campaign.
-Wunderman/Google alum Pedro Egea Barbosa has assumed the role as president of Grey Mexico, effective immediately.
–Hawthorne Direct, a full service brand response advertising agency, has promoted Jessica Hawthorne-Castro to chief operating officer.