Village Media expands into the U.S.

Digital community news outlet Village Media is launching in Youngstown, Ohio marking the first foray into U.S. media for the 20-year-old company. Village Media launched in Sault Ste. Marie and now operates in 11 Southern Ontario cities where local newspaper operations have shuttered in recent years, as well as in cities like Halifax, Ottawa and others through partnerships with larger media companies. The Vindicator, Youngstown’s only daily newspaper is set to cease operations Aug. 31. The company is working with the Google News Initiative and U.S. publisher McClatchy on the expansion.

Publicis acquires independent marketing agency Rauxa

Publicis Groupe has made an addition to its agency roster with the acquisition of Rauxa, a formerly independent full-service marketing agency founded by Jill Gwaltney in 1999. Rauxa, which averages double-digit growth every year and had a 2018 net revenue of roughly $70 million, will continue to be run by Gwaltney in the U.S. where it employs more than 300 people in New York, L.A., San Francisco, Seattle, Orange County and Dallas, Texas. Rauxa’s clients include Verizon, Samsung, Alaska Airlines, Vans and Celgene among others. Publicis Groupe also recently acquired Epsilon, and last month Publicis Media named Alastair Taylor its new CEO.

E-sports team makes Roy Thomson Hall its home venue

Toronto Defiant, the city’s official e-sports team operating in the Overwatch League, this week announced its home venue will be Roy Thomson Hall. The venue, also the home to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, will play host during tournaments scheduled for the 2020 season. The League recently announced Canon would be the official streaming partner of Toronto Defiant. And, as e-sports continue to grow in popularity, last month Bell took a minority stake in OverActive Media, the Toronto-based e-sports entertainment company.