From Deutsch NY comes “The Homecoming Project,” a new campaign for non-profit Live Out Loud that encourages LGBT professionals to mentor and empower LGBT youth.

Using the tagline “Gay It Forward,” which is a pun on the phrase “pay it forward”–which in turn became the title of an overwrought 2000 movie in which then-young star Haley Joel Osment attempts to trick people into doing good deeds before he (thankfully) gets stabbed to death–the campaign depicts gay and lesbian professionals returning to their high schools to describe their struggles growing up in a not-so-friendly world. Apparently, the rampant homophobia these individuals had to overcome has not only influenced them to become strong, confident, and charitable adults, it’s also given them quite a penchant for drawing colorful pictures on chalkboards.

Similar to the incredibly popular “It Gets Better” campaign started by sex columnist Dan Savage, “The Homecoming Project” also seems to be of the mindset that good role models are an incredibly important tool in helping young people struggling to come to terms with their homosexuality. The campaign will also feature a print and outdoor component coming to a New York City kiosk near you. For more on this initiative, visit Live Out Loud’s website here.

Deutsch LA has certainly bombarded our radar this week, and this time around, we turn our attention to “30 Days 2 Beta.” If you can’t recall what that is, the aforementioned project, which was spearheaded by Deutsch LA partner, chief digital officer Winston Binch, concerned the building of the agency’s new web, mobile and tablet platform in a matter of, yes, 30 days. Now, to reflect on the success of the launch, Deutsch LA needn’t look any further than within to find a case study spokesman in Jason Pickar, a copywriter at the agency who you might also know as the “Brand Rapper” (he’s no Grandmaster B, though). Enjoy the infomercial-inspired vid above.

Last time we brought up Deutsch LA’s talking cow, it was gossiping about middle school in the kitchen. Now, in the latest Fred Savage-directed spots, we’ve got one rapping to Flo Rida and another bringing the fam together with some good old fashioned poker. While the overly enthusiastic and anti-technology cow reminds me of an aunt who works in real estate and smells like potpourri, Flo Rida cow hits the nail on the head.

The latter ad features two girls singing a Cody Simpson (aka bland Bieber) song ridiculously titled “iYiYi.” Though the girls look back to include their cow friend, she’s just chilling, as cows are wont to do. She’s thinking, “Hmm, where’s the closest grass? Can I leave soon?” When it’s time for rapid-fire Flo Rida verses, she brings her best game. She’s not a normal cow but I appreciate that, between spitting rhymes, she maintains her nonplussed bovine behavior.

Fred Savage says his kids love these spots, and they do seem to align with the quick dialogue and humor of a Disney Channel show. But if the California milk people want to appeal to those who actually buy the milk, the less exaggerated cows will do the trick.

After spending the last year or so on the freelance circuit as a creative director/writer/consultant, Gail Barlow has found a new, full-time agency gig at Deutsch NY, where she started yesterday as SVP/group creative director on, you guessed it, Microsoft. In addition to helping lead creative for said client, Barlow will also play a role in new business initiatives. The creative’s last notable agency gig was at McCann NY, which she rejoined two years ago to serve as a CD on the Kohl’s account.

Prior to McCann, Barlow spent four years as a creative director at KBS+P and had lengthy creative stints at the likes of TBWA\Chiat\Day and The Richards Group as well during her career.

We’ve received confirmation that Deutsch New York has parted ways this week with EVP/ECD Steve Nesle, who joined up with said agency over two years ago to oversee digital creative. While the Deutsch camp wouldn’t get into specifics in regards to Nesle’s departure, they do tell us, “We’re in the process of making some internal shifts in staffing to better align with the needs of our clients.”

Prior to his stint at Deutsch, Nesle spent nearly five years at Tribal DDB, where he perhaps most notably played a key role in creating the “Shave Everywhere” work for Philips. During his career, Nesle also led the creative departments at Modem Media in San Francisco and New York and did the same at MRM.

Well, why does LA need to get all the attention anyways? Deutsch New York has chimed in with the news that Matt McKay officially started this week as SVP/group creative director on accounts including Microsoft and will also work on new business efforts. While McKay has spent the last few months freelancing at BBDO NY, in terms of full-time agency work, the creative most recently had a two-year stint as a CD/art director at JWT New York. At said shop, McKay led creative on Stride and Trident Gum as well as Halls cough drops.

During his career, McKay, who perhaps most notably created the “Two Guys” campaign for Sonic, had gigs at the likes of R&R Partners in Vegas, Barkley and Merkley + Partners.

Now that yours truly is finally back in New York (and still jetlagged), let’s try to get back into normal mode, shall we? If you don’t recognize the name Vic Palumbo, the Deutsch LA EVP, director of integrated production most recently co-conspired on the web app/game called “High Rollaz” and has played a key role in several efforts for VW (“The Force” and most recently, “Fast vs. Fast”) as well as Playstation and California Milk Advisory Board. Anyhow, it appears that the production head’s hard work over the past three years at Deutsch LA has paid off as the agency has named him a partner (by our count, that makes six in all in LA).

Prior to Deutsch, Palumbo spent nearly five years as director of production at Fallon, working with clients ranging from BMW to Travelers. But rather than rain down the rest of Palumbo’s resume on you, we’ll tell you that perhaps his most notable production stint prior to Deutsch was at W+K Portland, where he spent six years and was behind projects including the Emmy-winning “Move” for Nike.

Well, judging by his LinkedIn, it appears to be so. Just six months after officially assuming the title of digital group creative director at Deutsch LA, Jerome Austria is apparently back on the freelance circuit. We’re double-checking with the agency, which Austria first joined as a freelance CD last fall. During his full-time stay at Deutsch LA, the creative worked on the Volkswagen business, perhaps most notably on the “Fast vs. Fast” campaign for the automaker from earlier this summer.

Prior to Deutsch LA, Austria spent nearly three years at W+K New York, where he along with Kevin Proudfoot once led the creative department. We’ll update once we hear from the Deutsch camp.

Update: The Deutsch camp confirms that Austria has indeed departed (amicably) and is currently embarking on a “4-month surfing vacation,” which has him currently landing in Bali. Regarding reasons for his departure, we’ve been told that Austria “had not really wanted a full-time gig, but liked what he was doing so much here that he joined Deutsch LA. After he came aboard, he realized that he really preferred the flexibility of freelance life.”

Spending well over a decade at one agency has worked out well for Jeff White as the thirteen-year Deutsch LA vet has now been promoted to SVP, director of business development. White was recently involved with the in-house, pre-Cannes video series that hyped Deutsch’s panel at the Lions fest and during his lengthy stay at the agency, has worked on the account side with clients including Coors, the “Happy Cows” of California, DirecTV and Diamond Foods.

In a statement, Deutsch LA CEO Mike Sheldon says, “We wanted someone who loves to chase new business and understands why Deutsch LA has been so successful in landing great brands. It didn’t take us long to realize we had the right candidate within our own walls.”

White replaces Chad Saul, who served as Deutsch LA CMO but left for a gig at MDC.

If you take the time and money to buy organic milk, you have a low-level fondness for cows. You hope they get to eat grass and see sunlight. Those who go to the farmer’s market and ask, “So, are these happy cows?” have a higher allegiance to the gentle beasts.

In their latest campaign, the California Milk Advisory Board wants dairy consumers to take the next step by inviting cows into their homes. “Make us part of your family,” they moo.

But actually they don’t moo. The cows in this campaign are talking California cows, and in the first TV spot, we’re introduced to a teenage gossip cow whose monologue is filled with words like “supes” and “bt-dubs” (meaning super and by the way, respectively). It’s hard to nail teen-talk without seeming contrived and stale, but this cow does a decent job. I’d have to consult my 14-year-old cousin to be sure, but I think this speech matches many middle-school convos. It should, considering the spot is directed by Fred Savage, Wonder Years star and now director and producer for shows like Hannah Montana and Modern Family.

The spot airs this week, accompanied by a making-of video. Though our commentator straddles the line between sensitive dad-type and creative director-stoner, the incredible mechanics he showcases make up for his dazed tone.

Credits and making-of after the jump.

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