Deutsch LA has hired Pam Scheideler, the former of head of production and operations at Google Creative Lab, as our new Director of Digital Production.

Pam has more than 15 years of interactive advertising experience. In her role at Google, she built a crack team of video and interactive producers for both advertising campaigns and product innovation projects.

Prior to the Creative Lab, Pam was the Director of Digital Production at JWT, and a member of the Board of Directors for the NY office, where she worked in a strategic capacity to grow digital revenue and capabilities. Pam was responsible for the digital excellence of over 30 accounts while at JWT.

Before JWT, Pam worked at CP+B as VP/Executive Integrated Producer where she was part of the team that won the Titianium Lion for Twelpforce. She also worked on the CokeZero Facial Profiler, Microsoft, and Burger King. Pam was a founding partner of interactive production company Fuego5.

Feb. 20, 2013—Deutsch LA announced today that it has hired Mathias Appelblad, known for his work on “IKEA’s Dream Kitchen for Everyone,” as its first digital executive creative director.

“Our goal at Deutsch LA is to be the best agency in the world, and to do that we also need to be the best digital agency in the world,” says Mark Hunter, Chief Creative Officer at Deutsch LA. “A digital creative leader of Mathias' quality and pedigree will take us one step closer to realizing that goal.”

In this new role Mathias will oversee Deutsch LA’s expanding digital creative work, and bridge the creative and technology teams at the agency. “Mathias is a digital star and and innovator,” says Winston Binch, Deutsch LA’s Chief Digital Officer. “He's created and produced some of the most remarkable digital anywhere over the last ten years. We're thrilled to welcome him to our growing team.”

Mathias joins Deutsch LA from BBDO NY, where he had been Executive Creative Director and Director of Innovation since 2010. He also served on BBDO NY’s board of directors. Prior to his tenure at BBDO, Mathias worked as Interactive Creative Director at Swedish agency Forsman & Bodenfors, which he helped become one of the world’s top digital agencies. In 2007 the Gunn Report named F&B the #3 most awarded digital agency worldwide.

“Deutsch LA has arguably created some of the most talked about SuperBowl ads in recent time. What Mike, Mark and Winston have done over the past years to set the agency up to do wonderful, useful and meaningful things in the digital space is inspiring,” Mathias says. “I'm honored, humbled and excited to embark on this new adventure with Deutsch LA and all their clients. I can't wait to dig in.”

During his 15 years in the industry, Mathias has created, worked on and led iconic work for brands such as AT&T, FedEx, HBO, GE, Gillette, Volvo Cars and IKEA. Many of his campaigns have gone on to win several of the industry’s highest accolades. His campaign for the Volvo XC90 garnered a Cyber Grand Prix at Cannes. And “Dream Kitchen for Everyone” was named one of the 10 best digital pieces of the decade by the One Show. Mathias is also a Creativity 50 honoree.

Volkswagen returns to the Big Game with 60-second ad showcasing its latest campaign “Get In. Get Happy”

Herndon, VA (January 28, 2013) – Volkswagen of America, Inc. today unveiled its highly anticipated Game Day commercial. Viewers can catch “Get Happy” on the brand’s YouTube® channel before it airs in the second quarter of the Big Game. This is the fourth consecutive year that Volkswagen has advertised on Game Day.

“The Big Game presents an unparalleled creative opportunity to represent the Volkswagen brand,” said Tim Mahoney, Chief Product and Marketing Officer, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “We’re excited to reveal this year’s campaign, “Get In. Get Happy.”, which is designed to bring a jolt of happiness to viewers’ daily lives.”

Volkswagen’s 2013 Game Day commercial, “Get Happy” features a man who brightens up his dreary office environment with a positive attitude and inexplicable Caribbean accent.

The 60-second spot builds on Volkswagen’s heritage of “human stories, told simply,” and will serve as a thematic continuation of the brand’s feel good ads including “Smiles,” which first premiered last September, and last year’s Big Game commercial “The Dog Strikes Back,” named by Google as one of 2012’s leading ads on YouTube.

The spot was created by Deutsch LA, Volkswagen’s creative agency of record.

Deutsch LA announced today that Gavin Lester, former creative director at 180 LA, has joined as a group creative director at the agency.

Lester was at 180 LA for approximately three years before joining Deutsch LA. While at 180 LA, he drove Sony and Boost Mobile campaigns, including Sony Ship Hunt. “Gavin is super smart, super creative, a great business head and a real people person,” says Mark Hunter, Deutsch LA partner and Chief Creative Officer. “I am excited that he’s here to help increase the overall level of creativity at Deutsch.”

Lester and Hunter worked together previously at Bartle Bogle Hegarty in London, which helped draw Lester to Deutsch LA. “I’ve worked with Mark before and know that there is a certain level of standards and creativity that not all agencies have,” says Lester. “In addition to its incredible client roster, Deutsch has proven it can change perception in the industry and push great work.”

Prior to 180 LA, Lester was Group Creative Director at Saatchi and Saatchi Team One, where he worked on Lexus, helping launch many new vehicles including Lexus Hybrids. Before that, Lester produced Netflix, Comcast and Saturn campaigns while he was at Goodby, Silverstein & Partners.

Some of his most recognized work is a collection of Levi’s campaigns he did in the early 2000s at BBH in London, including “Odyssey” and “Rodeo” while.

Lester received his degree in fine arts in London and has not left the creative advertising industry since. Lester has received accolades from every show in the industry.

November 5, 2012—Deutsch LA announced today that David Kim, former creative director at Venables Bell & Partners and the creative force behind the Google Fiber launch, has joined the agency as EVP, group digital creative director for Volkswagen.

Kim’s diverse background and experience of having worked with creative, technology and design make him an ideal addition to Deutsch. “David is a brilliant digital designer and concepter with a truly varied background and we are so glad to have him,” says Mark Hunter, Deutsch LA partner and Chief Creative Officer.

“I aim to be the connective tissue between technology and creative design, bridging the gap between what is possible and what has not been done yet,” Kim says of his future at Deutsch.

Kim’s repertoire of accomplishments is vast. Most recently this summer, Kim oversaw the launch of Google Fiber, the nation’s first 1,000 megabytes/second internet and TV service. Kim also pitched and managed the integrated campaign for Intel’s Ultrabook line of personal computers, showing off the power of the machines with “The Chase,” an action-adventure film that took place on a PC. Other brands he has worked on include Audi, HBO, PG&E, Coca-Cola and ConAgra.

Before becoming creative director at Venables Bell & Partners, David was the SVP interactive creative director at Publicis in Seattle, where he focused on digital advertising for T-Mobile. He began his career in advertising as a multimedia designer at TEQUILA\, TWBA\Chiat|Day’s interactive branch.

Kim’s work has been recognized by the TED Conference, Cannes, the One Show, the Effies, Contagious, Creative Review, Adweek, Creativity and the FWA.