•SAATCHI AND FALLON UNITE IN SSF 'MINI-GROUP'> Executives at Publicis Groupe in Paris announced a major restructuring of the global marketing giant's marquee agencies last week. Agency networks Saatchi & Saatchi and Fallon will join forces in a new "mini-group structure" called the SSF Group, but continue to operate separately and as separate brands. The new alliance is designed to strengthen Fallon's presence in the United States, the company said.

Fallon Minneapolis will now report to the SSF Group, which will be headed up by Saatchi & Saatchi Worldwide CEO Kevin Roberts. Fallon London founding partner Robert Senior will run the SSF Group in the UK as CEO and also report to Roberts. Fallon founder Pat Fallon will step into the 'active advisory role' of chairman emeritus of the SSF Group come January. Saatchi also announced two new appointments. Jim O'Mahony becomes CEO of CRIB (China, Russia, India, Brazil) and Simon Francis joins the agency as CEO of Saatchi EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa).
http://www.publicisgroupe.com

Publicis Mojo Australia has hired Micah Walker, formerly of Fallon, London, to head up its Sydney office as CD and Leon Wilson, previously a senior writer at Mother, to head up its office in Melbourne.
http://www.publicismojo.com.au

Mother, New York has hired associate creative director Gui Borchert, previously an ACD with R/GA. Borchert, who worked on R/GA's Nike projects, will be working on the K-Y and 10 Cane Rum accounts, among others.
http://www.mothernewyork.com

Ogilvy & Mather in New York has hired Richard Bates, previously SVP of creative affairs at Atlantic Records, as ECD of its Brand Integration Group (BIG).
http://www.ogilvy.com

O Positive Films in New York has added director David Shane, previously of Hungry Man, to its roster.
http://www.opositivefilms.com

New York's kirshenbaum bond + partners has promoted Liron Reznik and Michael Doody to co-directors of brand strategy.
http://www.kb.com

LA's Über Content has signed director Jeffrey Fleisig, previously of Biscuit Filmworks, for US spot rep.
http://www.ubercontent.com

Chelsea Pictures in New York has hired EP Pat McGoldrick.
http://www.chelsea.com

Crossroads Films, London has signed director Dan Nathan.
http://www.crossroadsfilms.com

Toronto prodco Wilfrid Park has signed director Jeth Weinrich.
http://www.wilfridpark.com

New York-based editorial house Crew Cuts has added Mexican editor Gabriel de la Mora (aka "Choco") to its roster.
http://www.crewcuts.com

New York visual effects studio Guava has hired Jep Hill as VFX supervisor.
http://www.guavanyc.com

Santa Monica-based Sedna Films has signed director/cameraman Mark Claywell for West Coast representation.
http://www.sednafilms.com

New York-based design and animation studio FlickerLab, has promoted Franklin S. Zitter to producer.
http://www.flickerlab.com

Buenos Aires-based Bendercine has signed director Maureen Hufnagel.
http://www.bendercine.com