Dak’s been setting records with his arm. But last night, all eyes were on his feet.
As part of the annual NFL My Cause My Cleats initiative, Dak teamed up with sneaker designer Jake Danklefs of Dank & Co and Baylor Scott & White Health to raise awareness for early cancer detection and encourage people to get screened.
His cleats were inspired by the heartwarming story of a young woman, Sydney Benton, who narrowly avoided colorectal cancer thanks to an early screening. Sydney’s story struck a chord with Dak because of his own mother’s passing in 2013 to colon cancer, and he wanted to help tell her story to inspire other people to follow her lead.
So, we invited Sydney for an interview to talk about her experience with early detection. However, she had no idea that her favorite NFL player was waiting eagerly to meet her, or that he would be featuring her story on his cleats during primetime Thursday night football. The surprise reveal was an incredibly moving moment, which directors Andy Mahr and Ashton Rodgers captured beautifully.
Watch the story
What’s really remarkable about this initiative is seeing how much power a single story can have. Sydney has already started inspiring others to get screened, such as her mom and her older sister. And with the help of Dak and the Dallas Cowboys amplifying her voice, her story has the potential to impact many, many more.
Director of Creative: Ben Day, Baylor Scott & White Health
Brand Manager/Sports Sponsorships/Digital: Tyson Stuart, Baylor Scott & White Health
Director of Consumer Marketing/Brand Strategy & Planning: Kristn Owens, Baylor Scott & White Health
Brand Planning & Strategy: Robin Kraase, Baylor Scott & White Health
Marketing Producer Creative & Brand Management: Megan Doss, Baylor Scott & White Health
Senior PR Marketing Consultant: Eric Keese, Baylor Scott & White Health
We are extremely honored to be shortlisted by The Clio Awards for our Motivotter campaign for Baylor Scott & White Health and the Dallas Stars. The work was recognized in two categories: Social Media Influencer and Augmented Reality. The campaign leveraged the partnership between Baylor and the Dallas Stars to create an AR experience that motivated fans to engage with the brand in a fun, unexpected way.
The activation featured Stars’ goalie, Jake Oettinger, only it wasn’t actually Jake: it was his inner voice, which we named Motivotter. Fans could place Motivotter in places where they needed a little extra motivation. With 70+ million impressions, a 95% social positivity rating and an over two minute average filter engagement time, Motivotter scored big.
As always, we couldn’t do any of this without our incredible partners. High fives to our brilliant dream team:
3D Team: Jeannot Landry, Elliot Johnson, Chris Fisher, Groove Jones
Animation: David Aguilar, Groove Jones
Graphic Design: Bip, Groove Jones
Production VP: Monte Masters, Groove Jones
Audio: Andrew Carman, Groove Jones
Production Coordinator: Khoi Tran, Groove Jones
Director of Creative: Ben Day, Baylor Scott & White Health
Brand Manager/Sports Sponsorships/Digital: Tyson Stuart, Baylor Scott & White Health
Director of Consumer Marketing/Brand Strategy & Planning: Kristn Owens, Baylor Scott & White Health
Brand Planning & Strategy: Robin Kraase, Baylor Scott & White Health
Marketing Producer Creative & Brand Management: Megan Doss, Baylor Scott & White Health
Senior PR Marketing Consultant: Eric Keese, Baylor Scott & White Health
ANOTHER SUMMER, ANOTHER AMAZING INTERN DUO
Summertime at Launch is one of the best times of the year (if you can get past the heat) because that’s when we recruit the most talented interns to join our crew. It’s always a pleasure to nurture the next generation of our industry and watch their potential flourish, but this summer we got especially lucky with two star-studded creatives. Art director/designer intern Corinne Green and copywriter intern Morgan Martinez made a great team and blew us all away with their invaluable contributions on a wide range of projects. And as summer neared its end, we had to wave goodbye to Corinne and Morgan as they turned their focus toward completing their final year as undergrads. But before they left, we asked them to reflect on their time at Launch.
How did you find out about the Launch internship?
Corinne: I found out about the Launch internship through Connext, a networking/portfolio review event for Graphic Design majors at TCU. I got to chat with Caleb and Isaac and present my portfolio to them there.
Morgan: I found out about the Launch internship through Handshake and applied through that!
Was agency life what you expected?
Corinne: I feel like no one can totally prepare you for what agency life is like unless you are living it! I expected a fast paced, creative, and collaborative environment, and I think that was pretty accurate. Every agency has different clients, different processes, and different values, so it was all new and exciting to learn how Launch does it all.
Morgan: Agency life was different than I expected in a good way. I feel like I got an excellent grasp on what agency life is like this summer!
What was your favorite project you worked on this summer?
Corinne: One of my favorite projects to work on was a poster design for The Ashford Rise School and Touchdown Club of Dallas’s Rise Cup Classic, a golf tournament benefitting education for special needs children. I was able to illustrate elements and take a bit more creative freedom with this project, which was right up my alley.
Morgan: My favorite project this summer was the August Billboard Refresh for Park Place. I’m excited to see them go up!
How would you describe your daily routine?
Corinne: No two days were exactly the same at Launch. On an average day, I would head into the office, check my schedule, and get started on my work. Some days, we would have status meetings, creative check-ins, internal reviews, or client meetings to attend. Others were spent catching up on work and preparing it for presentation. On Wednesdays (some of the best days), lunch was on Launch, and we all ate and laughed together in the conference room. Thursday happy hours on the deck (before it got over 100 degrees) also made the tail-end of the week so fun!
Morgan: There was always something new to do, but my daily routine was typically grabbing a coffee in the morning and driving to the office on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday! After that, I would see if I had any meetings scheduled and/or tasks due, and I would research and write drafts for deadlines approaching.
What was your funniest memory?
Corinne: When Morgan and I (the two interns) both won LCR consecutively, and made it rain with all our ones.
Morgan: My funniest memory is playing Kiki or Booba/Sun or Moon on one of the Happy Hour Thursdays!
What advice would you give a future intern?
Corinne: Ask lots of questions! Questions don’t make you seem clueless, but rather interested and dedicated to learning from the people around you. Also, be very open to criticism and new ways of doing things– absorb all that you can from critiques and explanations, and don’t take anything personally!
Morgan: I would say don’t be afraid of the work and don’t be afraid to ask for help! Everyone is there to support you, and everyone believes in you.
What was the biggest takeaway from your internship?
Corinne: Being trusted to tackle bigger projects as an intern led me to an invaluable experience gaining knowledge and confidence working in an agency setting. I learned how to best collaborate with Morgan (my copywriter partner & fellow intern), ask the right questions during a creative briefing so the account manager can provide the best information, respectfully and promptly communicate with a creative team, and so much more. I feel very prepared to enter the workforce with the experience and mentorship provided by Launch.
Morgan: My biggest takeaway was that talking to others and seeing their work will expand your thinking, and you can always learn something new unexpectedly.
Get care now. Like now, now.
To announce the news that the MyBSWHealth app now connects you to Baylor Scott & White Health 24/7, we partnered with award-winning director Eli Green to create a series of charming spots focusing on what happens when we get sick after hours or on weekends––you know, times when the doctor’s office is usually closed.
From frantically searching the internet for clues to creating less-than-appetizing homeopathic remedies, we see real-life scenarios get solved by simply connecting patients with the expert physicians at MyBSWHealth.
“Urgency is a tricky message in humor. With a hint of levity and character performance, we found a tone that connects need and relatability for Baylor Scott & White Health,” said Eli Green of Cultivate Media.
The television commercials launched during Dallas Cowboys games and even mention that you can get care during the game. Digital and social executions feature actual clocks that call out the exact time they are running to emphasize you can get care right this very minute. And airport OOH speaks to the fact that you can get care right now between flights.
By correlating with the times and places you can get care through the MyBSWHealth app, this charming campaign hopes to empower patients across Texas to get the care they need whenever they need it. Like right now. Later today. On weekends. At the airport. In the grocery store. You get the idea…
The campaign is running in North and Central Texas on television, print, OOH and social platforms like Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook.
We believe in nurturing and inspiring the next generation of industry talent. That’s why every year, Launch seeks out the most promising advertising students and gives them a chance to put what they’re learning in the classroom into practice. So as summer draws to a close, we’re proud to recognize this year’s talented trio of interns. Art director/designer interns Bryce Johnson and Natalie Castillo and account service intern Lucy Galloway all made major contributions and came away with plenty of valuable experience. We asked them to share some of their highlights.
How did you find out about the Launch internship?
Bryce: Launch funds an art director scholarship for my school UNT. I was the winner selected, and it led to an intern position for the summer.
Lucy: I was browsing advertising agencies in Dallas and came across Launch and the internship position. I applied and, the next day, got a message that two Launchers were visiting UT for creative week. I loved talking to them, and knew that this would be a great experience and a great place to work. The rest is history.
Was agency life what you expected?
Natalie: Working at a smaller agency, I feel like things are a bit more personal. Whether it’s happy hour on Thursdays or hearing jokes randomly through the week, I don’t think I would have had quite the same experience at a bigger agency.
Lucy: Launch was ten times better than what I had expected out of agency life and what I have experienced in the past. It is such a creative and collaborative environment and I think that’s a main factor in producing great work.
What was your favorite project you worked on this summer?
Natalie: I really enjoyed the Rise School Round-Up poster and the agency social templates project.
Bryce: The Dallas Cowboys activation for Baylor Scott & White Health was a fun project where I was waaaaay out of my element.
How would you describe your daily routine?
Natalie: Since things were always changing or different assignments were coming up, I don’t think I had the exact same day twice, but I preferred it like that. There was always something new to do, so I was never bored.
Lucy: Wake up, walk to work (I live two blocks away), attend a few client calls in the morning, eat lunch, participate in internal reviews, work on our social platforms, update statuses, look for Wolfie (a wolf man action figure everyone takes turns hiding somewhere in the agency) and walk home!
What was your funniest memory?
Bryce: When I was spitballing with my partner in crime, Nat. I refuse to give our account director, Jason, any credit because his jokes are terrible, but our copywriter, Isaac, coming in with the rimshots always got a laugh out of me.
Lucy: There is always so much fun to be had in this office: Hawaiian shirt Thursdays, happy hours in the office on the balcony, going to Electric Shuffle, doing headstands for no reason, repotting the office plant. But I think my favorite is when they let me think (only for a few minutes) that I was being fired from being an intern. It was all in good fun and, needless to say, it ended happily with me being over the moon to become a full-time Launcher!
What advice would you give a future intern?
Natalie: Don’t beat yourself up. Being able to witness people’s out-of-the-box ideas would kind of discourage me, but I would remind myself that one day I could be on their level. It just takes experience to learn the ropes on how to come up with great ideas.
Lucy: If you are open to working and learning, Launch will give you all the tools you need to be a part of the team and work with clients on actual projects. I think this sets Launch’s internship apart from a lot of others. They understand that busy-work/made-up projects and assignments don’t really help anyone grow.
What was the biggest takeaway from your internship?
Natalie: One, go out to see work and expand your thinking. Two, enjoy your time. The people here are nice with great ideas, so LEARN from them.
Bryce: Great vibes, free food and too many dad jokes.
After a portfolio review of top candidates from the communications design program, they were recognized for creating an outstanding body of work. Launch established this scholarship in 2007 to inspire creative excellence and make a positive impact on UNT graduates who will, in turn, positively impact our design and advertising community.
Launch takes great pride in helping launch the careers of talented students like Bryce and Mariangelis. Explore more of their work at here and at the links below.
Now that we’re a few weeks into the new year, it’s safe to say that this past holiday season was unlike any other (perhaps maybe last year’s). But at Launch, we used that time to work together to create a very special holiday card to share with our friends, families, and clients.
We had a blast making the video, but the best part was knowing we were able to bring a smile or a chuckle to people who needed it. If you haven’t seen it yet, definitely check it out. And if you have seen it, feel free to watch it a second time!
As we were creating our own holiday card, we couldn’t help but reminisce about our favorite holiday ads that have stuck with us over the years. The ones that made us laugh and cry and that are packed with nostalgia. So, we asked the Launchers to share their favorites, and here are some of their top picks. Do you recognize any of these classics?
Man on The Moon (John Lewis 2015)
“All the John Lewis Xmas spots are great, but this one in particular strikes an emotional chord.” -Alex Slotkin
Snow People (Tim Hortons 2020)
“This one I saw earlier this year is my new favorite.” -Alexa Pérez
The Long Wait (John Lewis 2011)
“Best Christmas ad of all time. No one can convince me otherwise.” -Brian Dedering
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWt7OMae75M
Christmas Bells (Hershey’s 1989)
“I still love the Hershey’s Kiss ad. So simple but such a classic.” -Richard Wezensky
Time to Come Home (Edeka 2015)
“I love this one.” -Megan Robertson
Melting Snowman (Campbell’s Soup 1993)
“Now I want soup.” -Andrew Reimherr
Believe in the Wonder of Giving (Macy’s 2018)
“Hands down favorite holiday commercial ad.” -Alicia Douglas
It’s 2021, and Launch has made its way into Uptown, nestled in an office building overlooking the bustling shops and restaurants below. It outgrew its location in Carrollton, TX, and has found a new home in the heart of Dallas. Years of expertise, successful campaigns, and busy days have molded the agency into what it is now.
National Boss’s Day is coming up this weekend, and we figured there was no better time to dig into Launch’s history and learn more about the people who created it. We can trace our culture, workflow, and success back to the founding Launchers and principals – Diane Seimetz, David Wilgus, and Michael Boone.
Prior to Launch’s formation, these three were off on their own, making a name for themselves in the ad industry.
Diane was working on brands such as Frito-Lay, American Airlines, and Match.com. Dave worked at TracyLocke, where he met Diane. He completed work for Bank of America, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, as well as many others. Michael, who previously worked at TracyLocke, Puskar Gibbon Chapin, and The Maxfield Group, came into the picture once Dave and Diane moved to Temerlin McClain, and the rest is history!
They formed Launch in 2000 within Temerlin McClain, and GroceryWorks was their very first client.
Some of the projects completed by Launch for GroceryWorks
These OG Launchers gave some insights into their passion and the work they do:
David Wilgus
What was your mission when first starting Launch?
“We wanted to take our experience working on big brands at large advertising agencies and apply it to launching startups and relaunching brands that needed help gaining momentum. In 2003, we left the world of big agencies and holding companies to start our own ‘startup’ and reshape what an ad agency looks like. We adopted the characteristics of the startups we were working with – lean, scrappy, creative innovators.”
What’s a source of inspiration for you?
“Our local arts community helps feed my creative spirit. Austin seems to always get the center stage, but Dallas, Ft. Worth, and Denton offer a wealth of talented artists, musicians, photographers and filmmakers.”
Diane Seimetz
At the agency, what is one major thing that has changed over the years?
“Embracing technology and leveraging consumer insights resources to help level the playing field for our clients and the agency. We’ve been using Slack, for example, since 2015 – less than two years after it launched. We also invest in several enterprise-caliber research tools to help understand our clients’ customers better and inform the work.”
What’s a source of inspiration for you?
“People-watching 😊 I love to observe how consumers think, shop, express themselves – it’s a wellspring of great ideas. I also like to immerse myself in creativity in many forms, whether it’s fine art, podcasts, crafting, music. The more diverse, the better.”
Michael Boone
What do you think is the biggest contributor to your or the team’s success?
“For Launch, it’s been a three-pronged approach. Start with talented professionals passionate about doing a good job, infuse a collaborative and creative culture, and finish with trusting clients.”
What’s a source of inspiration for you?
“I’ve always loved advertising. As a kid, I was impressed by unique, compelling ads and almost equally fascinated by terrible ones (what was that?). I first learned of ad agencies – and that they could be a career choice – from watching the old Bewitched TV show. In fact, I referenced that when I got my first agency job. I’m not sure whether they hired me in spite of that comment or partly because of it!”
When starting the agency, Michael mentions his desire to “create great work […] and have fun doing it without layers and bureaucracy to muddle the message.” This is the reason there is an air about Launch that asks people to notice it – to ask why it stands out. It’s more than an agency. To Diane, this is due to the “special culture of people who genuinely care about our clients and each other.” Because of this, the agency and those within it have made a name for themselves in this big Texas city. “The strong entrepreneurial spirit and business culture of Dallas is a perfect fit for Launch and it’s at the heart of who we are,” Dave writes.
These specific characteristics and elements have come together to forge a small-sized yet mighty advertising agency with equally tough team members.
Interning at Launch: The Inside Scoop
Mentorship and learning are key to adapting and refining one’s skills in the advertising industry. At Launch, we are able to offer internships to young professionals and students who want to learn more about what working at an ad agency is like. Whether it’s creative, account services, copywriting, design, or another area of interest, Launch aims to see interns grow and achieve their goals throughout their time here. Several of our past interns have gone on to work full-time at Launch, as well. We interviewed current and past interns to get an insider perspective on experiences and work they have been involved in.
Megan Robertson, past Intern and current Account Executive
Megan is an Account Executive at Launch, previously interning in the Summer of 2020.
What led you to intern at Launch in the first place?
I was in the interview process my senior year and attended a career fair at SMU. I had the best conversation with the Launch team. I remember feeling an instant connection and sense of ease. I continued to meet more members of the Launch team via zoom interviews throughout the Spring and was offered a full-time account management internship after graduation.
What’s the most important lesson you learned while interning?
The most important lesson I learned while interning was how to adapt my communication style in the workplace. In advertising, you work with many people across multiple teams, brands, and clients. Learning someone’s preferred communication style is a game-changer. Taking the time to understand who might prefer phone calls to emails, or who prefers to chat before meetings vs. diving right into a presentation is crucial. Learning how to effectively communicate with different clients and team members facilitates greater collaboration and builds rapport more quickly.
How have you grown since your internship?
Interning at a smaller agency allows one to wear many different hats and interact with multiple clients. I’ve had the opportunity to reach beyond my account management duties and try my hand at social media content creation, new business development, consumer research, and Google Analytics. Each one of these challenges presents a chance to grow and flex different muscles. Trying new things has instilled a greater sense of confidence in my abilities as I have transitioned from an Intern and Assistant Account Executive to my current role as an Account Executive.
How would you describe the company culture?
The company culture at Launch is one of my favorite things about my job. The stereotypes you hear about ad agencies simply don’t apply to Launch. Everyone is kind, hard-working, and intelligent. It’s very much a work hard, play hard environment. Many of our team members have been with Launch for 5, 10, 15+ years! It’s a true testament to the amazing culture we have at Launch.
What’s a tip you would give to young professionals/new interns?
Be proactive!! Actively looking for ways to be helpful not only increases your value to the company but also allows you to learn new things you may not have experienced otherwise. Look beyond your to-do list and take initiative. You won’t regret it.
Isaac Swedlow, past Intern and current Copywriter
Isaac is a Copywriter and interned during the Summer of 2021.
What led you to intern at Launch in the first place?
I applied to the summer internship at Launch in 2020 right before the pandemic took off. I interviewed over Zoom and got to meet some of the lovely people on the team. Sadly, the creative internships were canceled that year and I was disappointed since I really liked everyone I talked to during my interview. That’s why I was so excited when I saw that Launch was bringing their internship back in 2021. I immediately reached out and sent them my website and resume, and I heard back in just a few days. I feel like I was drawn to Launch because I had missed out on the opportunity to intern there in the past, and I knew I would get great opportunities and be able to work with really amazing and talented people. I ended up getting the internship and the rest is history.
What’s the most important lesson you learned while interning?
The most important lesson I learned during my internship was to not be afraid to ask for help or advice. It doesn’t make you look unknowledgeable or inexperienced, instead it shows people that you are constantly trying to understand the world around you and get better at what you do. It’s a crucial lesson, especially in creative advertising which is such a collaborative field. It can lead to much better work and more fulfillment overall.
How have you grown since your internship?
One of the biggest ways I’ve grown since I began interning is being more comfortable presenting work and ideas, both at internal meetings and during client presentations. When I was in school, I presented work all the time to my professors and the rest of my class, and I got used to it quickly. It feels different though, presenting real work to an actual client. But that’s one of the coolest parts about the internship: I was trusted to present my own ideas to the client and speak for myself. It’s not really something you can learn in a classroom; you just have to learn by doing it. Having the opportunity to practice and develop my presentation skills really helped me grow over the course of my internship, and it’s helped me become a better creative.
How would you describe the company culture?
The company culture at Launch is wonderful. Everyone is friendly and mostly everyone is pretty funny (except Jason, who tries too hard). Besides that, you get the sense that everyone wants to see you succeed and grow, not only at work, but also in your personal life. Everyone feels very close to each other because a lot of them have been working together for a long time. As someone new, that’s one of the clearest signs to me that the culture here is exceptional. Everyone wants to stick around, and even some of the people that leave end up coming back. During my time at Launch I’ve never heard anyone say that they “feel more like a family than a company”. They don’t have to say that because you can just feel it. Also, they’ve got great taste in movies/TV shows. I’ve got a nice long list of recommendations to get through.
What’s a tip you would give to young professionals/new interns?
To any young professionals or new interns, I would say don’t be afraid to voice your opinion. You have the advantage of a fresh perspective that many people may not have if they’ve been in the industry for a while. It might take a new point of view like yours to find new solutions, or a new, more efficient way of doing things. Just because you’re less experienced doesn’t mean you’re wrong. Not to mention you’re probably more in tune with what will resonate with younger generations, which brands are increasingly trying to focus on. Even now, you can start shaping the industry into what you want it to be in the future.
Taya Caligiuri, current Account/Project Management Intern
Taya is a graduate student that is currently an Account Services intern at Launch.
What led you to intern at Launch in the first place?
I discovered Launch through a course in my graduate program. After hearing people from the team talk about the agency and the internship opportunities, I was interested in learning more later on and ended up applying! It seemed like it would be a great place to learn more about what working at an ad agency is like. Plus, the Uptown Dallas office location and company culture I witnessed from their presentation to my class were very unique and attractive. From what I saw then, I had a feeling that the agency aligned with my goals perfectly.
What’s the most important lesson you learned while interning?
The most important lesson I have learned so far is to be proactive. As an intern, I want to learn firsthand from industry professionals as much as I can. Everyone here is willing to mentor and I want to take advantage of that – I try to initiate conversations and go out of my way to see what is needed of me and learn whenever I can.
How have you grown since you began your internship?
While it has only been a month, I believe I have grown in my accountability and flexibility. Launch gives interns real work and values the insights that we can offer the team. I also am given a variety of projects and tasks. Owning my responsibilities while remaining flexible with the scope of work I am given has let me become even more helpful and efficient.
How would you describe the company culture?
Launch’s culture has been amazing to witness and participate in as a young professional. The team really wants to watch you succeed and grow. They are willing to go out of their way to answer questions and help you out. Being able to shadow and learn from these successful people has been very educational. It also is such a fun and engaging environment to be a part of. While the work these people do is extremely professional and serious most of the time, they don’t let it change who they are as people. It’s been so great to get to know the team and have fun in the office together.
What’s a tip you would give to young professionals/new interns?
Remain open to a variety of opportunities! It can be hard to try something out of your comfort zone, or something that you hadn’t previously imagined for yourself. If you are willing to apply to a job or internship in a new area or industry, it could lead you down a really interesting and successful path you never knew could happen!
Meet our 2020 student stars!
It’s our favorite time of the year–Launch Scholarship Season! Every spring, we proudly honor two rising design students from UNT Communication Design with a $1,000 scholarship. And while 2020 has sent many students into the virtual world of studying, creating, designing and working from home, that didn’t stop this year’s recipients from coming through with an amazing lineup of inspiring work.
After an online portfolio review of selected junior design majors, we have selected Taylor Hill and Hana Snell as our 2020 Launch Scholarship recipients. Both were honored on May 17 at the first virtual home graduation ceremony in the history of the College of Visual Arts and Design. Taylor was recognized for best art direction and Hana was awarded for best design portfolio.
Launch established the annual scholarship in 2007 to inspire creative excellence and make a positive impact on the caliber of graduates who will, inturn, positively impact our design and advertising community.
Hana Snell – Winner Design Portfolio
Taylor Hill – Winner Art Direction
Congrats to Taylor and Hana! May their talent continue to soar!
