AARDMAN APPOINTS COO> Animation powerhouse Aardman has hired Stephen Moore as head of features/chief operating officer. Moore was previously president of international for Twentieth Century Fox in Los Angeles.
http://www.aardman.com

WPP ANNOUNCES FORD CROSS-AGENCY SHOP> AdAge reports that WPP has announced plans to combine resources from its various agencies and create a multi-purpose shop dubbed Team Ford out of the company's home base in Dearborn, Michigan. The shops participating include JWT and Ford Motor Media in Detroit, Ogilvy and Mather in Dearborn and Young & Rubicam Brands in Dearborn. New units created for the shop include Shared Media Services, Brand Experience Services and Shared Administrative Services.

IPG FILES LEGAL CLAIM AGAINST FRANK LOWE> The Interpublic Group has filed a legal claim with the American Arbitration Association against Sir Frank Lowe, claiming he violated his contractual and fiduciary duties when he created his own agency in late 2005. Lowe, in a statement, says, "The allegations are without foundation and utterly refuted," and says the new agency may seek damages for defamation if the claim isn't withdrawn. Lowe helped found Lowe Worldwide, a division of Interpublic, in 1981 and left in 2003. His new, as yet unnamed agency includes former Lowe London chairman Paul Weinberger, and has recently been given the account for Tesco, previously handled by Lowe Worldwide.

ÜBER CONTENT LAUNCHES IN L.A.> Commercial/feature prodco Über Content has launched in Hollywood. Owners and partners Phyllis Koenig and Preston Lee will serve as EPs, and the directorial roster includes Jordan Brady, Aaron Ruell, Marc Schölermann, Theodore Melfi, and Simon Stock. The launch follows the departure of Koenig and Lee from Area 51 Films, where they were EPs. The new company began producing new jobs last month, including work for Element 79, Chicago and Leo Burnett/ Chicago.
http://www.ubercontent.com