In news to fuel George Parker's fire -- seems Rivet, DraftFCB's conflict agency, is letting up to 25 people go this afternoon.

Their main clients are Nokia, CVS/Pharmacy and Qwest.

Where there's smoke there's fire, or so the saying goes:

Word on the street (via our killer tip box) is that their is some shit going down at Tribal DDB San Francisco (ed note: yay -- more Tribal DDB stuff to discuss for you all.)

Apparently long time ECD, Mr. Dorian Sweet, has been shitcanned and that it wasn't pretty. Makes you wonder what else is going on, doesn't it?

In the interests of "journalistic integrity" -- we skipped contacting the PR hacks this time and went right to the horse's mouth -- dropping Liz Ross, President of Tribal DDB West, a line...quelle surprise... no word back.

So what is the real deal kids?

Western Union has put its new global brand campaign up for pitch, shortlisting proposals from three contenders: McCann Erickson India, Leo Burnett Chicago and Publicis Hong Kong.

The financial services and communications giant currently has no global creative AOR relationship, but works with different creative agencies in different regions (Publicis in Hong Kong, Leo Burnett in the UK & USA, Profero in the digital realm, etc.).

Following presentations in Denver in this month, the company is now testing the three agencies’ creative in various global markets.

They'll apparently make their decision by the end of May.

Seems eBay is shitting the bed at the moment as they have launched a lawsuit at Craigslist -- of which they are minority stakeholders -- because they feel that Craigslist is trying to cut their share down from the 28+% they currently own by at least 10%.

Of course, eBay filed the puppy under seal -- so no one knows the real deal of what the hell is really going on -- and apparently it will be that way for awhile.

That has not stopped Newmark from firing back -- in an entry posted on Craigslist's blog last night called 'Tainted Love', the firm asserted that eBay's accusations were unfounded and insisted the lawsuit came as a complete surprise.

EBay's stake in Craigslist was sold in 2004 by a former unnamed shareholder. The financial terms of the deal were never disclosed.

Yahoo! is announcing their quarterly numbers at 5 pm EDT today -- and you can bet they'll be going HUGE!

All in an effort to squeeze as much cash out of the impending takeover by Microsoft and try and boost the $44 Billion offer already on the table. (This merger is going to happen one way or another -- no matter what Jerry Yang cries about to the press. Only way it doesn't happen is if Ballmer calls it off -- which doesn't look likely.)

The Redmond crew will almost immediately call them on their bullshit and say that there isn't a hope in hell they did the numbers they did -- all in an effort to keep the price down to the current offer.

Yahoo! (don't you just hate that exclamation point -- are we a 9 year old girl writing to "Tiger Beat" or something?) has already tried to make Microsoft jealous by playing footsie with the kids at Google.

Of course, history has always dictated that you have the greatest company EVER when Bill G (and now Steve B.) come calling -- so the precedent has been set and we are well on our way to the end game. Yahoo's first move in this coordinated dance plays out later this afternoon.

Apparently, the creative staff at TBWA/Chiat Day NY has dwindled to about 7 people. SEVEN. A pittance, considering how much work still must be done there. The remaining creatives must be reduced to zombies at this point.

Kinda can't blame Ian Reichenthal and Scott Vitrone for bailing. Apparently, they got a sweet offer over at Y&R. Word is, they're going to be the go-to dudes for the network.

They need a crazy campaign in London? Send Ian & Scott! Problem in Sydney? Ian & Scott to the rescue.

That's the plan for them anyway. And who wouldn't want a gig like that?