–Creative director Chris Smith of The Richards Group will be chief judge of the upcoming Radio Mercury Awards, and he has some advice for entrants: surprise him (video above)
–Former FIFA vice president Alfredo Hawit admitted to accepting bribes for marketing rights.
–Craig Elimeliah of VML argues that ad bots (racist or not) reinforce the value of copywriters.
-Brand experience agency Cramer introduced Motion Studios, a sort of mini-prod co for b2b clients.
-Tool of North America appointed Julia Sourikoff as head of VR & 360.
–Scottsdale/L.A.-based strategically-driven digital and social branding agency Santy acquired L.A.-based PR agency S+L Communications.
–Mod/Op Films welcomed creative technologist David Cullipher and digital content producers/strategists Greg Goldner and Brie Campbell as its newest partners.
–TwoPoint0 added Terence Ziegler to its editorial roster.
-Production company Station Film hired Leticia Gurjão (formerly with The Cavalry, Green Dot Films and VR company Spectacle) as its newest executive producer.