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.

To prove the speed of VW cars, Deutsch asks people who know the meaning of “fast” to co-star in their latest TV spots. Four YouTube sensations—a Rubik’s Cube wizard, a beatboxer, a speed reader, and a lightning-finger guitarist—accompany Eric Norris (son of Chuck) around a race track, aiming to complete tasks in their various skill sets before the VW cars complete a lap.

Granted, it’s far easier for a car to get around a track than for a vulnerable human to read the Gettysburg address while in said screeching, speeding car. The race might not have been very fair. But, these spots are still fun, and the quickness of the VWs is nothing to scoff at. Also, can we pause for a second to appreciate “speed cuber” Anthony Brooks, who can solve a Rubik’s cube with one hand (above)?! I can’t even look at a Rubik’s cube, knowing that as soon as I touch it I will be met with total frustration and humiliation.

Deutsch did well by choosing Internet-famous individuals with awesome, unusual talents. Their presence gives us the impression that VW cars aren’t just fast, they’re original and inventive, too.

Credits and more spots from the campaign after the jump.

Read more

-Here’s an open letter in response to Deutsch LA CEO Mike Sheldon‘s “Agency Talent Rotisserie” presentation at Cannes. link

-And now, some marketing lessons from the presidential election. link

-What’s Red Bull’s digital strategy in Canada? link

-Here are your Cannes Mobile Lions winners. link

-Ah, so this is why McDonald’s burgers look way better in advertisements than in real life. link

Our pals at the LA Egotist forwarded us this ditty from Deutsch LA in which a brainstorming session is not quite what it seems. While the reaction from the lucky lady named Marina (who we believe to be an associate broadcast producer at the agency) is appropriately joyous, we’re indeed not sure what the guy next to her is thinking. Looks more shocked than the gal, though, doesn’t he?

Update: According to a tipster, Marina Korzon is the young lady’s name and apparently uncle is Deutsch LA CEO Mike Sheldon.

Update 2: We’re being told now that the video is a fake and is in fact for Deutsch’s summer party. Consider us fooled if so.

Six-year CP+B vet Winston Binch, who was housed in Boulder, co-founded Boulder Digital Works and served as partner/MD of Crispin, is leaving the agency for a gig at Deutsch LA. Here’s a letter from CEO Andrew Keller:

Dear CP+B,

Wanted to send out an update to let everyone know that Winston Binch will be leaving the agency.

While many of you may think of Winston as a partner and new business guy, Winston, along with Jeff Benjamin, Scott Prindle and Matt Walsh are the original architects of our digital process as we know it. What an amazing and significant accomplishment. We truly can’t thank Winston enough and are sad to see him go.

Over the last 18 months, Ivan Perez-Armendariz has stepped into Winston’s role of Director of Interactive Production so that Winston could focus his efforts on new business where he’s done a great job creating opportunities for the agency. Ivan along with Paul Sutton, Ryan Moreno and Tony Tung will continue to lead our digital production efforts and are clearly the best in the business. We couldn’t be luckier to have them.

Also, I’m happy to announce that Mason Reed will be taking over new business efforts and is already doing an excellent job-I will let him make his cool announcement next week.

Today is Winston’s last day. If you see him, please thank him for his impact on the agency and congratulate him on his new job at Deutsch LA. We will miss you, Winston.

Andrew

Update: Here’s official word on Binch, who joins Deutsch LA as partner, chief digital officer. CEO Mike Sheldon, take it away:

“Winston is one of the top digital talents anywhere.  The goal for Deutsch LA is  simple and clear: we want to be the best digital agency in the country. Hiring Winston greatly amplifies our efforts in getting there. Winston is a great leader, thinker and someone who creates amazingly inventive programs for clients.  We couldn’t be more thrilled to have him join us. “