Diane Seimetz, principal, and Megan Lucy Neal, account service for Launch Agency, recently had the privilege to travel to Napa Valley with the Sam’s Club wine buying team. Trekking alongside them was videographer John Carstarphen to partake in—and film—a behind-the-scenes tour of the legendary Robert Mondavi Winery. The team also had the opportunity to conduct an interview with fifth-generation West Coast winemaker, Joel Gott.

Launch will next produce a short film describing the great lengths the buying team undergoes to place high-quality, delicious, affordably priced wines in every Sam’s Club. This video is part of a series Launch is creating on various categories of unique, world-class products available at Sam’s Club.

So the next time you are craving a crisp, cool glass of pinot grigio or another varietal for your summer entertaining, shop Sam’s Club and check out the vast selection of wine. We’re sure you’ll find something you like!

View the slideshow below for some of the best from Napa:

The event was open to the public, and featured a full day of family fun for the entire Burleson and Fort Worth communities. In addition to getting a firsthand look at the brand-new, state-of-the-art Honda sales and service facility, attendees also got to enjoy a bounce house, slides, a climbing wall, balloon animals, face painting, live music, an air show and free hot dogs, snow cones, cupcakes, drinks and a taco bar, courtesy of Fuzzy’s Tacos.

Launch helped brand and promote the event with a series of grand opening invitations, emails, radio commercials and signs. And based on the fact that approximately 600 people attended—and that 17 cars were sold that day—it was clearly an event that will have people talking for a long time to come.

Click here to view more photos from the event.

Giles accompanied – and filmed, along with videographer John Carstarphen – Sam’s Club buyers as they sourced, sampled and selected the highest quality seafood to ultimately offer Members in the U.S. The film footage will be edited into a short video, part of a series Launch Agency is producing for Sam’s Club, and will highlight the lengths buyers go to in order to secure the highest quality, freshest seafood for Members – in addition to ensuring the product is sourced in a sustainable manner.

From Chile to Norway to Asia, countries from all over the globe were represented in Brussels. See photos of Jason’s travels below, and stay tuned for more; the Sam’s Club quest for the best seafood will take Jason and the team to Copper River, Homer and Anchorage, Alaska next month.

Immediately upon arrival to this incredible “must attend” formal engagement, Gala attendees were immersed into an amazing silent auction boasting everything from autographed movie memorabilia to hundreds of premium wines. Adding to the electricity was Tiffany & Co, offering goers a chance at winning breathtaking jewelry while longtime Launch client Park Place Dealerships sold raffle tickets for a chance to take home a brand-new Lexus IS C Convertible.

After nibbling on a variety of hors d’oeuvers while perusing and bidding on the vast array of auction items, the evening continued into the grand ballroom. Beautifully decorated, guests enjoyed flickering candlelight and amazing floral arrangements overflowing with sunflowers as they made their way to their tables.

As a three-course meal was served, a live auctioneer entertained guests, offering bidders a chance at many exclusive travel opportunities, experiences and one of a kind items. Included were trips to Napa Valley and the Caribbean, the chance to drive a NASCAR racecar and exquisite jewelry.

Two-time Grammy Award winner, Kenny Loggins, had the honor of closing out the evening. The artist rocked the stage, performing hit after hit, including “Footloose” and Top Gun’s “Danger Zone.” The brilliant singer-songwriter delivered a standout performance giving CACCC supporters the experience of a lifetime.

Launch Agency is proud to be a continuing sponsor of the CACCC and work in partnership with this incredible non-profit organization. We were honored to produce the event’s Impact Moment, a touching video that reminded attendees of the special benefactors of the evening – the children of Collin County. Special thanks to the all the people and partners who donated time and resources in producing the video: Reuben Miller, art director; Ryan Ingram, copywriter; Alison Hamilton, account service; Laura Carroll, producer; Jon Fullrich, video editor; Manny Rodriguez, videographer; Keith Burtwell, voice over; CUT, sound editor; as well as the children and families who volunteered as talent.

The wrap themes for Smart USA’s two-seater, the Smart ForTwo, center on love, couples, and matters of the heart. The Launch designs were added to Smart USA’s existing gallery of custom wraps and are available online for viewing and purchase at smartusa.com/valentine.

Each design turns the Smart ForTwo into a Valentine’s card on wheels—the perfect medium for lovely expressions. Smart’s Valentine’s Expressions set the bar higher than the chocolate and flower standard of years past.

USA Today wrote about the romantic wraps in an article for the automotive section. And in it, contended that the Smart ForTwo is the only car that could pull off the look.

Launch is happy that Smart USA would be its Valentine. And just as proud to have the collaboration featured by USA Today. Read the USA Today article here.

The award list includes:

2010 Communicator Award of Excellence – Best Automotive Website

2010 Communicator Award of Distinction – Website Structure and Navigation

2010 Direct Marketing Association Echo Finalist – 5^th Place Website Design

2010 Direct Marketing Association Echo Special Award – Search Marketing

2010 Automotive Website Awards – Best Dealership Website Design

2010 WMA WebMarketing Award – Outstanding Achievement in Web Development, Best of Industry

On top of the marketing awards, Park Place was recognized by the Dallas Morning News as one of the Top 100 Places to Work in DFW, coming in 5th in the large company category. Yet one more sign of why we enjoy working with them so much year after year.

Scott Monty, Ford’s Digital & Multimedia Communications Manager (a.k.a. social media guru), shared their strategy and how it helped Ford become Ad Age‘s “Marketer of the Year.” We also heard from Jeremiah Owyang, author of the popular blog Web Strategy – one of Ad Age’s “Power 150″ Top Blogs – and Dan Zarrella, award-winning author of The Social Media Marketing Book, along with several industry experts.

Almost universally, the speakers talked about the importance of being accessible, transparent and authentic online. Woody Allen once said, “90% of life is just showing up,” and the same holds true online – 90% is just being where your clients are, be it Facebook, Twitter or Foursquare. As with any relationship, yours should be built on listening and understanding. Listen first and only then respond. Add value to the conversation. Provide support by answering questions and solving problems. (Best Buy allows 200 employees to answer on the company’s behalf.) Encourage dialogue, then advocacy, as you build an online relationship with your clients. Over time, your advocates may help your brand innovate, like Mountain Dew recently did by crowd sourcing to develop a new flavor.

On Twitter, the key is to find and target your influencers, and then personalize your messages towards them. The more fresh and relevant your content is, the more valuable it will be seen – and the more likely it will be re-tweeted. Other tips? For every self-promoting tweet, send 8-12 others about news, useful information, etc. Avoid a negative tone. And for the best odds of your content being read and shared, post on Thursday-Sunday, when fewer people are posting.

Location-based services (LBS), like Foursquare, are growing as smart phones proliferate. 63% of iPhone users are on LBS every week, and the audience is a desirable bunch – almost 40% are considered influencers. You can encourage usage by offering rewards; for example, Starbucks awards discounts to each location’s mayor.

So marketers, take a cue from Ford, Best Buy, Mountain Dew, and Starbucks—join the conversation. Chances are your clients are already talking about you online. By participating in a meaningful way, you can grow your brand and advocates online.

Launch Principal, Creative Director, Diane Seimetz, recently traveled around France to accompany — and film —  a client’s buyers as they selected the highest quality cheeses to ultimately offer members here in the U.S. From Bordeaux to Strasbourg to Roquefort, she documented her adventures on her blog “Cheese and Whines”. Visit Diane’s blog,  a fortnight in the land of fromage, to learn more about some of the world’s greatest artisan cheese manufacturers and the International Food Show, SIAL, in Paris.

Launch was tasked with introducing the new brand look, soliciting donations, and building awareness for the Center’s mission – providing safety, healing and justice to abused and neglected children throughout Collin County, which covers many of Dallas’ northern suburbs.

Agency Partners and co-Creative Directors Diane Seimetz and David Wilgus created the print ad, which calls on one’s instinct to protect a child in danger and defines the team of specialists that make it happen at the Center. The full-page ad is running in the October issues of Texas Monthly and Dallas Child.

Special thanks to the friends of Launch who made it happen. Photographer Brian Braun and beautiful young model Sydney Coon graciously donated their services for the ad.

View a PDF of the print ad:

Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County print ad