Well, we are all back in one piece and life has returned to normal at Launch HQ following the excitement of this year’s end of year conference. From ‘Bus Bingo’ to traipsing across the countryside behind dark glasses (!) we all had a great time.

The team showed their usual Launch spirit, singing and dancing until the early hours – with even the bar manager commenting that he didn’t think the Cotswolds have ever seen such a party!

As well as having a good time, it was a great opportunity to reflect on the past year and look ahead to the coming months. We heard from Andy (Director of Integration) and Rich (Head of Digital Strategy & Creative) about their new piece of thought leadership, ‘Optimised PR’ – more on this soon I am sure. We also unveiled our new look benefits package, with highlights including days off for charity work, sabbaticals and a new personal wellbeing budget for all Launchers to help them get the work/life balance just right.

Long presentations, poor catering and no fun? I must be referring to the traditional idea of an annual company conference…

…but not at Launch Group!

Our End of Year meeting, held annually in August, is a real highlight in our busy calendars. And this year it is gearing up to be bigger and better than ever before.

The details have been a carefully guarded secret since we announced the dates earlier this year, and since then, the Training Team have been busy creating a two day event that will see us travel over 190 miles and consume more than 125 meals between us! It is a great opportunity to get together and share the year’s successes and plan for the coming months. Our consultants work incredibly hard to produce brilliant results for our clients, so this gives us a chance reflect, relax and get motivated for the busy months leading us into the Autumn.

Watch this space for photos, conference gossip and some new faces as we celebrate another fantastic Launch year!

Hi, I’m Holly, a new Account Manager at Launch Group. I’ve just come to the end of my first week and thought I’d share what I’ve been up to as the newest ‘Launcher’…

Monday

Surprisingly, no first day nerves, just a sense of excitement at joining a PR Week ‘Best Place to Work’ accredited agency. The team is very welcoming and I have a day of inductions planned to get me up to speed. It’s nice to be back in Soho too!

Tea Received: 2

Tea Made: 0

Paper Read: Telegraph

Tuesday

Getting to know Launch processes and relieved to find everyone is as media savvy as campaign results show! The Butlins team secures a great hit for their ‘Fine but Fun Wine List’ from top drinks writer Anthony Rose. 

Tea Received: 1

Tea Made: 0

Paper Read: Guardian

Wednesday

Briefed on an upcoming launch event for premium Vodka brand Black Moth. I also get to taste the delicious cocktails which is a bonus! Keep an eye out for Black Moth from July; it is a must have for any Vodka connoisseur.

Tea Received: 1

Tea Made: 0

Paper Read: The Sun

Thursday

Briefed on two more interesting campaigns – The Discovery Channel premiere of James Cracknell’s ‘Toughest Race on Earth’ and Yell.com’s ShopView programme which is revolutionising the way SME businesses promote themselves.

Tea Received: 1

Tea Made: 1 (for me)

Paper Read: Daily Mail

Friday

Talk through the Butlins 75^th birthday project (particularly excited as my childhood ambition was to be a Red Coat!). I fill in my timesheet then it’s off to the Friday afternoon ritual of end of week catch up over some beers and wine. My first week has flown by and I had loved every minute!

Tea Received: 0

Tea Made: 2 (1 x me 1 x Account Director)

Wine: 2

Paper Read: Daily Star

If you’re feeling faint,

And you’re gonna fall,

Who you gonna call?

FIRST AIDERS

When you hear that tut,

It’s a paper cut,

Who you gonna call?

FIRST AIDERS

If you just got burnt,

It’s time you learnt,

Who you gonna call?

FIRST AIDERS

If there’s any gore,

Head for the door

Who you gonna call?

(NOT) FIRST AIDERS!

(Well, maybe Dan…)

I never ever thought that I would become a first aider! Although I’ve always acknowledged that it’s a great set of skills to have, I really can’t stand looking at even the slightest cut…

However, knowing that you could save someone’s life is a rewarding feeling, so that’s why I and some fellow Launchers were last week at a first aid class, practicing with ‘Annie,’ a CPR doll.

It was a surreal experience, with shouts of “Annie, can you hear me? I’m just putting you in the recovery position to make you feel more comfortable’ echoing around the room as everyone got to grips with their doll. We nothing short of pummelled them, which was okay so long as we heard the distinctive ‘click’ that told us we were doing it properly. Dan did particularly well with his Annie, though he was rather particular about cleaning her mouth with antiseptic and waiting a good while for it to dry!

We found lots of interesting tips and techniques – one being that there is more than one way to treat a burn, with both milk and yogurt doing the job just as well as the more obvious cold water. Just as well that we’re always pretty well stocked with those items!

Although the training was serious, we still all had a fun day out of the office, and I even produced a little song to help everyone remember who they can turn to in times of catastrophe!