-If you have a sec, check out ”SXSW BackChannel,” which provides a nice refresher amidst all the mayhem. link

-Peter Mertz, former head of digital at the likes of TBWA and Elastic, has joined L.A.-based shop Zambezi as director of digital.

-Interbrand global chief strategy officer Leslie Butterfield, who’s held said title since 2008, has relocated to Shanghai and will work closely with the agency’s Asia-Pacific CEO,  Stuart Green.

-St Ives Marketing Services has announced its acquisition of Amaze plc, a  marketing and technology consultancy, from Hasgrove plc.

-According to WPP’s Kantar Media unit, the ad industry has “expanded”–albeit slightly–for the third consecutive year. link

-Orchid Burnside, former head of digital operations at Hearst, has joined 33Across as VP of media operations.

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