Luc Besson launches Blue

Film News: Company to produce 'advertainment' -- Helmer-producer Luc Besson is teaming up with advertising exec Christophe Lambert to launch Blue, Gaul’s first shingle devoted to “advertainment” — a blend of entertainment and advertising.

Dwight Caines upped at Sony

Film News: Exec now oversees all digital marketing -- Dwight Caines has been upped to prexy of worldwide digital marketing at Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Entertainment One gets credit

Business News: Company to receive $150 million -- Despite a global credit squeeze, Canada's Entertainment One has just received a four-year $150 million senior credit facility with a group of financial institutions led by JP Morgan. The facility leaves the Toronto-based distrib and producer poised for further growth. The other banks in the syndicate include Bank of America, Barclays and Toronto Dominion Bank.

Summit taps Kirkpatrick for post

Business News: Exec named president of worldwide marketing -- Summit Entertainment has tapped veteran exec Nancy Kirkpatrick prexy of worldwide marketing.

Barnes appointed Jamaica coach

Former Liverpool and England winger John Barnes has been named as the new coach of the Jamaica national team.

Peace stands behind 'The Line'

Business News: Group acquires rights to Canadian TV drama -- Peace Arch Entertainment Group has acquired distribution rights to upcoming TV series "The Line."

Schulman retiring as WB counsel

Business News: Legal guru had been with studio for 25 years -- John Schulman, Warner Bros. Entertainment general counsel and the reigning dean of studio legal eagles, is retiring after a 25-year career at the studio.

Entertainment League enters game

Business News: Former NBA exec start sports production unit -- The ranks of companies in Los Angeles focusing on sports production and marketing have added another player: Entertainment League Prods.

ITV's Paul Jackson exits

Business News: Exec returning to role as tube producer -- ITV director of entertainment Paul Jackson, former head of Granada America, is ankling at the end of the year to return to making programs.

ITV's Jackson exits

Business News: Exec returning to role as tube producer -- ITV director of entertainment Paul Jackson, former head of Granada America, is ankling at the end of the year to return to making programs.

PorchLight on for Sparky/Grimply piic

Film News: Companies team up for CGI 'Brothers' -- Singapore's Sparky Animation has pacted with Santa Monica-based PorchLight Entertainment and Scotland's Grimply Films to co-produce $22 million, CGI movie "The Grimpley Brothers."

Cheech Marin flies with 'Angel'

Film News: Actor to direct and star in comedy for HighRoad -- Cheech Marin will direct and star in the dramedy "Angel of Oxnard" for HighRoad Entertainment.

Women set Democratic fund-raiser

Business News: Voices taps David, Short, Garner to perform -- More then 50 women in the entertainment industry have organized an event to raise money for eight Democratic U.S. Senate candidates on Sept. 27, with a lineup of performances by Martin Short, Jennifer Garner and Larry David, among others.

Obama organizers campaign for cash

Business News: Hollywood donors race to raise money -- With the presidential race in a dead heat, Hollywood donors feverishly made last-minute calls to raise money for what could be Barack Obama’s final entertainment industry fund-raiser before the general election.

Susan Lyne named Gilt Groupe CEO

Business News: Former Martha Stewart chief to run online retailer -- Susan Lyne, former chief of ABC Entertainment and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, is bailing on the media sector in favor of running an online luxury goods retailer.

Vivendi off to 'Tennessee'

Film News: Film unit grabs rights to Aaron Woodley film -- Vivendi Entertainment has grabbed all U.S. rights to "Tennessee, " the latest pic from "Monster's Ball" producer Lee Daniels.

Reliance nabs major stake in Willow

Business News: Online business specializes in cricket -- In a further sign of its global ambitions, Indian media conglom Reliance Big Entertainment has acquired a majority stake in California-based Willow TV, which claims to be the world’s leading website for live streaming of cricket events.

Wings' Lidstrom heads West All-Star reserves

Nicklas Lidstrom is headed to the NHL All-Star Game for the 10th straight season, but for the first time as captain of the Stanley Cup champion.

Giambi completes deal to return to Oakland

Jason Giambi and the Oakland Athletics have finalized a one-year contract with an option, bringing the free-agent designated hitter and first baseman back to the place he began his big league career.

Curry scores 29, rally falls short

Jon Scheyer and Kyle Singler scored 22 points apiece and No. 2 Duke held off a late Stephen Curry-led charge to beat Davidson 79-67 on Wednesday night.

Ex-Bills QB, politician Kemp diagnosed with cancer

The office of Jack Kemp says the former housing secretary, congressman and Buffalo Bills quarterback has been diagnosed with cancer.

Bite in fight? League probes alleged Ruutu chomp

Ottawa Senators forward Jarkko Ruutu has been suspended by the NHL for two games without pay for biting Buffalo Sabres enforcer Andrew Peters.

Atlanta suffers rare home loss

Dwight Howard had 23 points and 19 rebounds, helping the Magic hold on for a 106-102 victory Wednesday night in a matchup of the top two teams in the Southeast Division.

Georgia's Stafford, Moreno to enter NFL Draft

Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno are leaving Georgia for the NFL Draft.

Zags end Vols' home streak

Matt Bouldin tied a career high with 26 points to help Gonzaga upset No. 15 Tennessee 89-79 in overtime on Wednesday night.

Eagles suffer letdown, fall to Crimson

Jeremy Lin scored 27 points to lead Harvard to an 82-70 upset over No. 17 Boston College on Wednesday night, coming after the Eagles upset previously top-ranked North Carolina in their last game.

Short and sweet: Cowboys release Pacman

Troubled cornerback Adam 'Pacman' Jones was released by the Dallas Cowboys following a season in which he was suspended six games for an off-field fight.