DALLAS—Continuing to grow its creative staff, Dallas editorial boutique Treehouse has hired editor Jayson Limmer. Formerly with 3008, Limmer arrives with more than eight years of experience in cutting spots for agencies in Dallas and other markets, and credits that include such brands as Charter, Western Union, Gamestop, Red Lobster, HEB and Zales. In his first project for Treehouse, Limmer is editing a new campaign for Pennsylvania-based convenience store chain Wawa and Dallas agency The Richards Group.

The latest upgrade of the industry-leading media management platform focuses on usability; includes redesigned presentations, a robust HTML5 player, enhanced email branding options and a more user-friendly design.

Laguna Niguel—Simian, the global leader in creative workflow and media management solutions, takes video sharing to the next level with the latest update to its groundbreaking media sharing platform, which includes a state-of-the art HTML5 video player.

Following the recent additions of directors Seth Townsend and Xander™, and partner Chris Zander, Backyard continues its expansion with the addition of Head of Production Emily Malito. A multi-talented production professional adept in both the broadcast and commercial arenas, Malito joins Backyard after five years at GO Film.

LOS ANGELES — Director Javier Aguilera has joined Bully Pictures for exclusive U.S. representation. Aguilera brings more than ten years of experience as a director, an award-winning reel and an international reputation to his new home. His work for such brands as Lexus, Virgin Mobile, Toyota, and VW, among others, has been heralded for its innovative storytelling and cinematic execution.

“We are super excited to add Javier to our roster,” says Bully Executive Producer Astrid Downs. “His eclectic narrative style is infused by a fresh, youthful energy that should attract top creative in our market.”

New York-based GOODCOMPANY is an innovative, producer-led production company that makes commercials, music videos, and films around the world.

Final deadline for moving image advertising and branded entertainment awards is December 28th, 2012

Hollywood, CA.– The 2nd annual A-List Awards Hollywood (formerly known as NXT STAGE Hollywood International Awards), has extended the deadline for its Moving Image Advertising and Branded Entertainment awards to Friday, December 28, 2012. The A-List Awards Hollywood is the first creative advertising competition of its kind in Hollywood, the entertainment capital, to focus on the intersection between advertising and entertainment across all platforms.

To be eligible, submitted work must have first appeared between October 1, 2011 and December 31, 2012. December 28, 2012 will be the FINAL deadline for entries. No further extensions will be granted.

Butter is expanding its New York based team with the addition of Composer Joel Dean and Associate Producer Annick Mayer. The pair of nimble talents can dart easily between the advertising and music worlds, fitting right in with Butter’s dynamic culture.

“Annick and Joel are incredibly talented and are a great addition to the family,” noted Butter EP Ian Jeffreys. “Both have a sophisticated musical acumen that will help to enrich the diversity of services we offer our clients. We’re thrilled to have them on board.”

Here's Sir Martin Sorrell, Chief Executive of WPP, being honored at The Partnership at Drugfree.org’s 10th annual Winter Wish Gala, because when you are the big man in the world's largest advertising company by revenues you don't need drugs. High on power, you see. Even the lovely lady, Patricia Russo, Chairman of The Partnership at Drugfree.org, who is handing him the trofé knows.

Nice Shoes has promoted Flame artist Vin Roma to lead the studio’s visual effects department. As Head of VFX, he’ll be working closely with the heads of other departments in evaluating the studio’s approach to integrated production jobs, as well as with engineering and production in advising on workflow efficiencies and best practices. “Vin’s experience, enthusiasm and desire to further grow the department and integrate with the other teams make him a great fit for this leadership role,” said Managing Director Kristen Martini. Roma will continue in his role as a Flame artist, having worked with brands such as Google, Vick’s, IBM, UPS, and Calvin Klein; as well as top celebrities like Nicki Minaj, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, and Kanye West.

Click 3X is pleased to announce the addition of Senior Producer Danon Hinty to its production team. Hinty joins the crew after freelancing extensively with Click 3X over the past year in between runs working the London Olympics with NBC. A seasoned pro in the long- and short-form postproduction worlds, as well as in the realm of broadcast design project management, Hinty brings a reel that includes two of Dave Attell’s Showtime hit series Dave’s Old Porn, HBO Sports 24/7 and UFC Primetime, and Discovery’s Dirty Money.

MPC NY, the versatile creative studio, has fortified its credentials with the addition of David Estis as its new creative director of digital. Estis, who joins the studio from B-Reel, is a multidisciplinary creative specializing in motion, experiential, and interactive design. In his new position, Estis will focus on integrating digital, design, and broadcast VFX for agency and direct-to-brand clients.

LOS ANGELES—British comedy director JJ Keith has signed with Los Angeles-based A Common Thread for exclusive representation for commercials in the United States. Keith, who has an Academy Award nomination as well as a slew of advertising awards to his credit, has earned high regard in the U.K. and elsewhere in Europe for an inventive style of comedy that he has applied to such brands as Guinness, Subway, Coca-Cola, Land Rover, Vodafone and The BBC.

A Common Thread became interested in signing Keith through an Olympics campaign that he directed earlier this year for Shanghai agency BBH and Coca-Cola’s Ice Dew. The spot, in which pint-sized athletes attempt (but fail miserably) to compete with normal-size athletes, was short-listed at Cannes.

The Artery VFX, led by Partner/CD/VFX supervisor Vico Sharabani and Partner/EP Yfat Neev along with Harbor Picture Company, fronted by Founder/President Zak Tucker, Partner/Colorist Joe Gawler and Partner/Director Theo Stanley, are forming an artist-driven alliance for post-production in New York City. Fusing The Artery VFX’s A-level CG artists with Harbor Picture Company’s production and postproduction expertise, this collaboration serves every stage of content creation – from creative direction, production, creative editorial, high-end VFX, commercial color correction, feature film DI and the full spectrum of deliverables for feature films, commercials, web, installations and music videos.

New studio offers full spectrum of content creation services for commercial advertising, film and television.

Los Angeles—Antenna (http://www.antennacreates.com/), a full-service studio focused on multi-platform content creation for commercial advertising, film and television has launched in Los Angeles. The new company, which also features a satellite production facility in Europe, offers design, animation, visual effects, live action production, music composition and a broad range of digital services. It aims to provide advertising agencies, motion picture VFX producers, television studios and others with turn-key content-creation services for all media: theatrical, broadcast, online and print.

Kenny Barrickman returns as producer; facility launches new growth effort that includes the addition of a “virtual” editing room.

NASHVILLE—Filmworkers, a leading independent provider of post-production services for advertising, film, television and music videos, has appointed Robert Zimmerman as executive producer of its facility in Nashville. Zimmerman has more than 20 years of experience as a producer of commercials, music videos and corporate media. He will oversee all aspects of Filmworkers operations in Nashville and will initially focus on expanding the facility and growing is customer base.

Director, represented in the U.S. by Bully Pictures, also directs new campaign for Toyota.

LOS ANGELES— Fredrik Callinggard, represented in the United States by Bully Pictures, has directed a new, international campaign for Volvo re-launching its mid-sized, luxury, crossover SUV the XC90. Filmed in Norway’s spectacular fjordlands, the 60-second launch spot offers a rich and deeply affecting montage of landscape imagery and scenes of families traveling and enjoying life. Farmlands populated by ancient wood structures, quaint hamlets, gorgeous beaches and snow-swept mountains, all appearing under a cool autumn chill, float by as a young girl sweetly recites the words of “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.”

Following his work as lead producer on HUSH’s lauded “Camp Victory” project for Nike, the design agency is bringing Eric Alba on full time as its lead technical producer. Alba will play an indispensable role in creating the broad-ranging and brand-defining design projects molded around one-of-a-kind experiences for which HUSH is known.

East Pleasant is pleased to announce that Director Bradonio has been selected to join this year’s class of ADC Young Guns, an annual competition established by The Art Directors Club. Young Guns, which honors talented creatives working across a variety of visual media, has become renowned for identifying rising stars on their way to the vanguard of their disciplines.

Check out STLforSANDY.com, where the City of St. Louis engages residents to donate much needed supplies to victims of Sandy. The effort is the brainchild of Switch, an agency used to producing major events for its clients.

"The idea came up in a meeting here at Switch; knowing how many times we’ve done quick-turn, multi-faceted initiatives for our clients; it only made sense for us to mobilize our resources for this truly worthy cause. We all have friends, clients and relatives benefitting from these efforts. It really is as simple as one community helping another in need," said Switch Marketing Manager Andrew Mullins.

Production Company signs directors Mike Chaves and Andrews Jenkins.

HOLLYWOOD—The Traveling Picture Show Company has named advertising industry veteran John Noble to head its commercial production division as Executive Producer. Noble, who also becomes a partner in TPSC, brings broad experience in both agency and production company roles, including senior production posts with The Martin Agency, Element 79, Eyeball, and Optimus.