•PSYOP/STINK MERGER IN THE WORKS> London-based prodco Stink has entered into a non-binding letter of intent with Israel-based special purpose acquisition company Fortissimo Acquisition Corp. and animation, design and VFX company Psyop. The discussions may see the creation of a "global production and digital content creation company with expertise in live-action production, design, animation, visual effects and mixed media," according to a Psyop press release.

The proposed merger is dependent on the completion of the pending Fortissimo/Psyop merger that was announced in January of this year. A meeting amongst Fortissimo's stockholders is scheduled for Oct. 7 (held over from Sept. 24), where the Fortissimo/Psyop merger will be presented for approval.

Under the terms of the non-binding letter, which are subject to change, Fortissimo/Psyop would "acquire all of the outstanding interests of Stink in exchange for aggregate consideration of approximately $32.9 million... comprised of a cash payment of $5,941,267 at the closing, as well as the issuance of 4,538,863 shares of common stock."

Speaking with Boards, Psyop EP Justin Booth-Clibborn, who will become CEO of the newly formed entity if the merger with Fortissimo goes through, elaborated further: "In the same way - not to make it a grander idea than it is - that WPP owns many agencies as the holding company, we would form a media and content creation holding company which would own the brands underneath the Psyop and Stink umbrellas. We've worked with Stink for the last two years. [The proposed merger] is really an extension of the production partner idea."

Psyop, which also includes companies Blacklist and MassMarket under its banner, is repped by Stink for the UK and Europe and has also produced work with them for the Asian market.
http://www.psyop.tv
http://www.stink.tv

•DOUG JAEGER BECOMES YOUNGEST ADC PRESIDENT> Doug Jaeger, founder/CEO/CD of New York branding/design agency thehappycorp global, has become the Art Directors Club's 57th president, succeeding TAXI's chairman/CCO Paul Lavoie. At 33, Jaeger is the youngest president in the organization's 88-year history. He began his career at Agency.com and later worked with Johnny Vulkan at TBWA\Chiat\Day to establish a creative practice known as the "Disruption Group". The ADC has also made changes to its board of directors. AKQA, SF GCD Rei Inamoto becomes first VP, Talerman + Partners, New York partner Elizabeth Talerman becomes secretary and former ADC executive director Ami Brophy was promoted to CEO.
http://www.adcglobal.org

•VIRAL FACTORY SCORES HIT WITH SFW PORN FOR DIESEL> A Diesel spot with cleverly-cleaned up vintage porn clips is fast becoming the viral hit of the fall season. Produced by The Viral Factory, London and directed by Keith Schofield, Diesel "SFW XXX" has racked up more than 2.8 million views on Break.com alone since hitting the web last week. The spot, created as an invite to Diesel's 30th anniversary party, taps into SFW ("safe for work") porn art, which generally features graphic clips watered down by funny illustrations. Check it out in the screening room.

•CBS PICKS UP ILLEANA DOUGLAS' IKEA SHOW> Last week CBS announced it has bought the rights to Illeana Douglas' Ikea-sponsored web show "Easy To Assemble", to air on its web channel, TV.com. The series, which is written by Douglas and produced by new media entertainment company SXM, follows the comedian and her celeb friends as they adapt to civilian life in a Burbank Ikea store. The first episode premiered two weeks ago on YouTube and racked up nearly 250,000 views.
http://easytoassemble.tv

Bicoastal/London/Paris-based Partizan has signed French director Laurie Thinot for worldwide spot and video rep. The company's animation division, Partizan Lab, has signed director Victor Haegelin.
http://www.partizan.com

New York/London/Auckland-based prodco The Sweet Shop has signed director Bruce St. Clairs for worldwide rep (excluding Germany, Spain and the Czech Republic).
http://www.thesweetshop.tv

Cut + Run, New York has changed its name to Cutting Room Films following a change in ownership. Editors Chuck Willis and Mike Douglas, as well as EP Susan Willis will lead the company.
http://cuttingroom.tv

Southfield, Michigan-based agency Doner has hired Steve Chavez, previously of Saatchi & Saatchi, Los Angeles, as ECD.
http://www.donerus.com

Paris agency Fred & Farid has hired Thierry Bezier as the head of Fred & Farid Digital.
http://www.fflparis.fr

Ogilvy & Mather, Philippines has hired Kenny Choo as executive creative director.
http://www.ogilvy.com

Serious Pictures, London has hired Emily Morgan as head of production.
http://www.seriouspictures.com

Animation company Offspring has opened in New York. Its co-founders are EP Saffron Case and director Mikon van Gastel of renowned NY-based prodco A Very Small Office (AVSO). It will be headed up by creative director Adam Levite and EP Joanna Fillie.
http://www.offspringny.com

LA-based Looking Glass Films has signed director Suzuya Bobo for exclusive US spot representation.
http://lookingglassfilms.com

New York's Bang Music has added composer Mateo Messina (Juno) to its roster for commercial rep.
http://www.bangworld.com

New York music and sound design company Sound Lounge Music & Sound has partnered with artist management and licensing firm Stray Dog Music to form a new music supervision unit.
http://sl.soundlounge.com

Smoke and Mirrors, New York has hired producer Lauren Shawe.
http://www.smoke-mirrors.com

New York and Moscow-based production company Persona has signed directing collective Orange for worldwide spot representation.
http://www.personafilms.com

Stockholm/New York/Amsterdam-based digital agency Perfect Fools has hired Tim O'Kennedy, ex-W+K managing director and Nike international marketing director, as non-executive director.
http://www.perfectfools.com

Bicoastal Instant Karma Films has signed director Jack Wung.
http://www.instantkarmafilms.com

Tomboy Films in London has signed director Gregory Rood for UK spot rep.
http://www.tomboy-films.co.uk

Portland's LAIKA/house has signed director Nicholas Weigel for commercial rep.
http://www.laika.com

New York post boutique Bionic and branding specialists Flying Machine have formed an alliance that will see Flying Machine's Micha Riss serve as CD for Bionic on campaigns and projects.
http://www.bionic.tv
http://www.flyingmachine.tv

Chicago/Christchurch, NZ-based marketing agency TimeZoneOne has named Lor Gold as global chief creative officer.
http://www.timezoneone.com

Toronto's La Fabrique Films has signed London-based comedy director David Wood from Upstart Films UK.
http://www.lafabriquefilms.com

Toronto-and-Winnipeg-based prodco Frantic Films has launched the Frantic Branded Content + Commercials division.
http://www.frantic-content.com