INTEL: Xyience signs a rock star, Downtown Films moves and Puck plans an appearance

Chris Ramirez and the Downtown Films team have moved into a new, 9,000-square-foot office at 333 S. Sixth St., across from the Lloyd George U.S. Courthouse and the former site of Andre’s. Formerly, the crew was housed in a much smaller space inside The Beat.

Downtown Films oversees Silver State Production Services and Lola Pictures, and has grown from two employees at its 2011 founding to 15 full-time employees. The company has signed on to produce Mark Fergus’ “Dulcinea” starring Nicolas Cage and also recently optioned the rights to the romantic thriller “Frank &Lola” by Matthew Ross, which will be a co-production with Killer Films and Parts &Labor. Both features will be shot in Las Vegas later this year and produced by Ramirez.

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Rental men are becoming increasingly available throughout the United States, but interestingly enough, not yet in Las Vegas.

In a recent press release touting Rent A Gent, photos of shirtless men posing with “professional women” graced the top of the email, while text below them described the service available in 12 U.S. locales, including Austin, Texas; Chicago; Philadelphia; New York and Washington, D.C.

The release said the “gents,” meant for independent, successful, single women, are available to do a little home repair work, perform for bachelorette parties or more.

“Forget those lackluster French lessons that you booked, the run-of-the-mill cooking classes, or tiresome music lessons, Rent A Gent provides women with an exciting and stimulating way to learn new skills and enrich their social lives.”

And then the press contact offered to let us try out our very own gent. We had to graciously decline.

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This one’s for the culinary lovers.

Chef Wolfgang Puck is set to appear in front of Spago at The Forum Shops at Caesars from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. April 9 to signs copies of his new cookbook, “Wolfgang Puck Makes It Healthy: Light, Delicious Recipes and Easy Exercises for a Better Life.”

The event is free and open to the public, but if you want to meet Puck, you must bring a copy of the book for him to sign or buy one on-site for $30.

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The Northern California Indian casino once associated with Station Casinos is now part of MGM Resorts International.

Sort of.

The Thunder Valley Casino near Sacramento has linked its customer rewards program, Thunder Rewards, with MGM Resorts’ MLife.

Customers of both MGM Resorts and Thunder Valley can use their rewards points across both companies.

Thunder Valley was opened in 2003 by Station Casinos on behalf of the United Auburn Tribe. Station Casinos managed the resort until 2010.

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Xyience, the Las Vegas-based energy drink maker, has signed one of the elite rock climbers in the world to help pitch its product.

His name is Joe Kinder, a 33-year-old known for his impressive roster of first ascents and route development. He’s been featured in many climbing films and outdoor magazines, and his athletic skills are matched by his artistic pursuits off the rock. He’s also a filmmaker, photographer and painter. He majored in painting at the Maine College of Art in Portland before becoming a rock-climbing rock star.

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Here’s a business you may have not heard of.

Brett Talla, 27, founded VegasGoodBuys and iPromoteVegas a year ago. Since then, the latter has paid out $2 million in commissions to affiliates of his online travel booking venture. As a turnkey online travel business, the company allows its affiliates to book discount rates through their own personalized website and earn a commission in the process.

Talla’s Las Vegas tourism enterprise is growing rapidly with more than 5,000 affiliates and is positioned to maintain its growth.

Contact reporter Laura Carroll at lcarroll@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4588. Follow @lscvegas on Twitter.