•TOP UK MUSIC VIDEO DIRECTOR TIM ROYES KILLED IN TRAGIC ACCIDENT> The London production world is mourning the loss of Academy Films director Tim Royes, who was struck by a vehicle while vacationing in New York City early last week. He was 43. Academy's managing director Simon Cooper said everyone at the company was devastated to learn of the accident, which happened in Manhattan in the early morning hours of Monday, August 13.

"He was just an absolutely gorgeous human being to be around," says Cooper. "He had a very unique ability to make everyone feel wonderful about themselves, which is why all the artists who worked with him loved him so much. He made everyone feel good."

Known for his glossy, high-fashion videos for British musical acts such as The Sugababes, Texas, Rachel Stevens and Melanie C, Royes, began his career as a runner at Rushes, eventually finding a success as an editor alongside directors Andy Morahan and Sam Bayer. During the 90s he moved into the director's chair, working with RSA Films for six years and helming Elton John's "The Way You Look Tonight" and Faith No More's "Ashes to Ashes". In 2004, he won an MTV Video Music Award in the editing category for his work on Sam Bayer's Green Day video, "Boulevard of Broken Dreams".

"He had a really strong sense of how to make a woman look amazing," said RSA Films, New York EP Philip Fox-Mills. "He was one of those people that seemed to have so many close, personal friends. When an editor goes into directing, you don't see people going out of their way to support it. People were genuinely interested in helping him out and making it happen."
http://www.academyfilms.com

•"CODEHUNTERS" NABS GOLD AT PRIX ARTS ELECTRONICA> An MTV Asia short film series, Codehunters, directed by Ben Hibon and produced by London's Blinkink, has won top honors at the annual contemporary media art competition, Prix Arts Electronica in Linz, Austria. The official awards ceremony will be held on September 7.
http://www.aec.at/en/prix/index.asp

•EUROBEST AWARDS ENTRIES OPEN AUG 30> The 20th annual Eurobest Awards, which recognize the European ad industry's top creative work, will begin accepting online entries on August 30. This year marks the addition of a media category. The entry deadline is September 28 and the awards will be handed out at the end of November.
http://www.eurobest.com

Taxi Canada has announced that Rob Guenette will step into the role of president on September 1 and Daniel Rabinowicz will become president of Taxi Content, a new service focusing on opportunities for the agency's Canadian and American clients in emerging media.
http://www.taxi.ca

Director Nico Beyer has signed with Partizan for commercial representation in the US, UK and France.
http://www.partizan.com

TBWA Worldwide has hired Colleen DeCourcy, formerly JWT New York's chief experience officer, to the newly-created role of chief digital officer. She reports to TBWA Worldwide president Tom Carroll, and will implement the corporation's digital strategy across the TBWA\ and TEQUILA\ networks.
http://www.tbwa.com

Saatchi & Saatchi, LA has hired five new creatives. Mike Barton becomes creative director of the design communications group; Andrew Christou, formerly of Moxie Pictures, becomes creative director on Toyota motorsports; Leo Circo, formerly of Young & Rubicam in Irvine, becomes creative director on Toyota national sales events; Greg Wells becomes creative director for Toyota's youth brands and hybrid technology, Hybrid Synergy Drive and Peter Vattanatham joins as senior art director from Butler, Shine, Stern & Partners.
http://www.saatchila.com

Deutsch, LA has promoted Scott Hidinger to VP, ACD from senior art director and Mark Moll to VP, ACD from senior copywriter.
http://www.deutschinc.com

JWT, New York has hired Clair Grupp to the newly-created role of director, integrated production. The office has also hired Raphael Milczarek, ex-DDB Germany, as creative director on the Sunsilk account.
http://www.jwt.com

London-based Liberty Films has hired Wendy Bleazard, previously of The Mill, as new business and marketing director. Producer Nicky Moss and director Jake Knowles have also joined the company.
http://www.liberty-films.co.uk

Toronto's Partners' Film Company has hired Aerin Barnes as executive producer.
http://www.partnersfilm.com

Santa Monica's TWC (Thomas Winter Cooke) Films has signed director Sebastien Chantrel for exclusive US spot rep.
http://www.twcfilms.com

LA music studio Groove Addicts has formed an alliance with the Gorfaine/Schwartz Agency to represent its roster of composers, including Thomas Newman, James Newton Howard, and James Horner.
http:www.grooveaddicts.com

Technicolor, Canada has hired Derek Grime as director of commercial operations.
http://www.technicolor.com

Postworks, New York has hired sound designer and mixer Paul Furedi.
http://www.pwny.com

LA's Access 360 Media has hired Bill Powers as executive vice president of network advertising sales.
http://www.access360media.com