Liberty Livewire Corporation, a majority-owned subsidiary of Liberty Media Corp., has extended its postproduction reach on both sides of the Atlantic, first entering into an agreement to acquire 100 percent of the stock in Northvale, N.J.-headquartered Video Services Corp. (VSC). On the heels of this deal valued at approximately $125 million, Libery Livewire then bought London’s Soho Group for some $25.5 million. Both VSC and Soho are parent companies to several post facilities….After freelancing via the company in recent months, director Angel Gracia has signed with bicoastal RSA USA. Gracia’s last spot shop affiliation was bicoastal/international hungry man….Director Alain Gourrier has joined Bruce Dowad Associates, Los Angeles….Word is that a noted agency producer is about to embark on a directing career. Stay tuned…. Paul Agid and Evan Sanyour have launched Coda Visual Effects, New York. The veteran effects duo was formerly with Blink.fx, New York….Universal City, Calif.-based DES, a media technology services firm, has jumped on the "broadbandwagon," having gained a major infusion of capital from Chase Capital Bank. Since February, DES has tripled in size to 150 staffers. In the coming months, DES will unveil its broadband plans, which include tailoring services to the commercialmaking community, according to Brett Markinson, founder of the seven-year-old company. DES recently added Joseph P. Noga as CFO and Doug Mielke as VP, operations….
