June 12th Sarah Sides and I headed over to the new McCormick & Schmick’s in City Centre for their grand opening event. What a soiree. Patrick Henry Creative Promotions organized the event and invited us to check out the swanky new location.

The event was fabulous — fantastic atmosphere, great entertainment on the patio, generous amounts of M&S’s signature menu items and specialty mixed drinks. The food was delicious and the cocktails unique. Some of the specially mixed drinks for the event and now happy hours were a black raspberry Grey Goose Martini, Patron Margaritas, and wine spritzers — my favorite was with a Cabernet and St. Germain…fantastically creative and oh-so yummy.

The set-up invited guests to visit every corner of the new location – entertainment on the patio, wine and cheese in the back dining or meeting room, sushi bar near the open main bar area, seafood table with a fantastic ice sculpture leading you back towards the back dining room where the comfort food was served buffet style.

Hats off to PHCP for a well done event, highlighting all of what McCormick & Schmick’s has to offer in their new location.

When Scott isn’t overseeing all aspects of art direction for us, he’s creating his own award-winning work for clients like JourneyLite, Baker Botts, Stryker and others. The kind of work that has landed him a Houston ADDYs “Best of Show – Print”, 14 gold Houston ADDYs, 9 silver Houston ADDYs, and a 10th District silver ADDY.

But, knowing Scott, a “World’s Best Creative Director” trophy would probably place a distant second to his “World’s Best Dad” coffee mug.
Here are some photos from his newest passion, “My life behind the iPhone.”

This weekend was great for being outdoors, and what better way to spend your time outdoors than at a Arts Festival? The Spring Bayou City Arts Festival is in Memorial Park, a good setting to spend the day wandering among art.

Sarah Sides, Allison Johnson (the Intern) and I all volunteered at the Beer Booth, with tips benefiting SNAP (Spay and Neuter Assistance Program) in the morning. It has been something that I have done for the past few years and decided to share the fun. I have always wondered what it is like to be a bartender, and this is the closest I get to finding out. Usually there is a group of 7-10 people serving up beer, water, sodas and iced tea. It is a really good time in that you meet others in the Houston ad/marketing community (and others) AND you get to try new beers, not always craft beers, but definitely ones you don’t generally find elsewhere.

This weekend, as you can imagine, got pretty busy and by the time our shift ended at 2pm, there were lines backed up at least 10 people deep. I am happy that SNAP was able to get some of the monetary support it needed through the tips. People were all very generous and many came back because of our dazzling smiles and quick service (if I do say so myself.)

If you want to volunteer next time (Spring or Fall), get in touch with Tad Grow at Brandit Marketing. It is a lot of fun!

Team A at Broadway Cafe Beer Booth: Tad, Kate, Sarah, Allison & Steve

In honor of “Go Dynamo Day,” STANANDLOU account executive, Sarah Springer, demonstrated to the office staff the correct way to head a ball without sustaining severe neck injury or embarrassment in front of your peers.

Andy Anderson

Sarah Sides comes on board with more than five years of experience in the advertising and marketing arena. Formerly with McCann-Erickson/LCI Media in Houston and Garden Ridge nationally, Sarah has extensive knowledge buying all media in markets throughout the U.S. for a wide variety of clients.

“We are thrilled to add someone of Sarah’s background and experience join our media team. Her enthusiasm for media and identifying client opportunities cannot be understated,” said Michelle Reed, vice president of STANANDLOU Marketing // Advertising. “She is the perfect addition to our client focused media team.”

A team player in the office or on a volleyball court, Sarah’s dedication to her work is evident as a former supervisor noted. “Her excellent communication, negotiation and leadership skills helped streamline and organize our department, so we could take on our greatest task, that of bringing the media buying and production in-house,” said, Annette Miller, Director of Marketing for Garden Ridge.

Sarah earned her Bachelor of Liberal Arts with a concentration in Advertising, and a minor in Marketing from the University of Houston. While in school, Sarah was involved in several school and local organizations such as Houston American Advertising Federation, Alpha Chi Omega, and Young Active Professionals.

An 8-year agency veteran, Sarah Springer joins The STANANDLOU staff as account executive for S&L clients Me

xican Restaurants, Inc., Renaissance Health System, Obesity Surgery Specialists, Noel Furniture, and Honours Golf Club.

Sarah has managed all aspects of client accounts from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies and is also an accomplished copywriter having written copy for client web sites, direct mail and other media.

“The first thing you notice about Sarah is her energy and enthusiasm for the job,” stated Reed. “Her ability to properly se

rvice a wide variety of clients and jobs simultaneously, and all with a smile, is indicative of her wonderful qualities.”

Sarah graduated from Texas A&M University with a major in journalism with an emphasis in public relations.

About STANANDLOU Marketing // Advertising

STANANDLOU Marketing//Advertising is a full-service communications firm based in Houston, TX. with estimated billings of $14.5 million. Started as a creative boutique in 1988, the agency has grown into a full-service agency regionally respected for pushing the creative envelope and providing strategic results. Clients include JourneyLite, Noel Furniture, Kolache Mama, Renaissance Health System, Stryker, Mexican Restaurants, Inc. and Buc-ee’s.