Yesterday, Publicis announced VivaKi, a new unit that will integrate the digital and media agencies within the holding company. Essentially, they are creating a more streamlined, efficient operation that will benefit employee collaboration and client relationships. Another key benefit of lumping the agencies is an improved media negotiating position. Read the Ad Age article that dives a little deeper into the venture.

The logo is totally great. It marries the traditional Publicis lion head logo with bright colors that are today’s calling card for life, energy and ‘We’re cool!’.

Yahoo and Microsoft have ended talks for good, and maybe its not much of a surprise that Yahoo is testing out a new logo. Tech Crunch broke the story yesterday of users reporting seeing an updated, purple version of the classic. It looks like Yahoo is testing the logo in various spots, as I still see the old logo.

I don’t know much about design, and I’m not a branding expert, but I like the redesign. A lot. Yahoo has taken a lot of flack lately, stemming from how Yahoo execs handled the Microsoft deal. The redesign is a great way to break through the negative publicity and show the world you are moving forward stronger than ever. Additionally, the new logo is 21st century, Web 2.0 worthy. The old logo is stodgy and screams late nineties web start up.

Mark Hendrickson from Tech Crunch was able to find the new logo today using Firefox 3.0, but then couldn’t find it anymore. I also have yet to see the new version. Check out the Mark’s sighting and my failed attempt.