Publicis Groupe Media has been recruiting high-level agency media execs and will soon announce a major new digital business venture having to do with that recruitment drive, chief innovation officer Rishad Tobaccowala said Tuesday, but would not provide details, MediaPost reports. The article points to the recent hiring of Nick Pahade, EVP and managing director of WPP Group's Beyond Interactive unit, and says Scott Witt, group director-digital for Publicis's Coca-Cola City unit will be involved in the new undertaking.

The article surmises that Publicis's naming of former SMG Director of Emerging Contacts Tim Hanlon director of a vaguely defined Publicis Groupe Media Ventures has something to do with the upcoming venture.

It further points out that Publicis recently entered a relationship with internet TV startup Brightcove, which has hired former MediaVest Worldwide senior VP Adam Gerber.