HipCat Media

Need a little more gratitude in your life?
Check out Sticky Note Mantra's piece in Authority Magazine on Medium

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FREE Movie in the Park at Painted Prairie. Visit our Facebook event for details. See you there!

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Check out the latest blog post I wrote for Painted Prairie’s newsletter and blog. (Side note: the fact I had to mention Gen X as grandparents has me 😳😬😅). Visit the News tab on the website at lifeatpaintedprairie.com.

The 2024 Painted Prairie Spring Fling was a fantastic success!

New service announcement! Reach out if you need help with email, CRM setup and management, and more with Keap! Link in bio to contact.

New service announcement! Reach out if you need help with email, CRM setup and management, and more with Keap!

Helping Small Businesses Grow: HipCat Media is Now a Keap Certified Partner - HipCat Media LLC We are thrilled to announce we are teaming up with Keap to help serious entrepreneurs grow their businesses! As a Keap Certified Partner, HipCat Media can provide an exceptional level of consulting, training, and implementation services – by joining this community of experts focused on helping sma...

Dubbed the Platinum Triangle by local leaders and positioned in the northeast quadrant of Aurora and southern Adams County, the area is bound by three major employment anchors/magnets all within a 20-minute drive to and from Painted Prairie. To read the rest of the story, visit lifeatpaintedprairie.com.

Mattel has completely shifted its marketing model since the release of the Barbie movie. What lessons are there for smaller businesses?

Mattel brand chief on 5 ways Barbie changed its marketing model forever Mattel executive vice-president and chief brand officer Lisa McKnight tells The Drum how Barbie’s success this year goes beyond box office figures and toy sales; it has totally reshaped its business. She’s one of five CMOs shortlisted for the WFA’s Global Marketer of the Year. Here, she reveal...

The Togala team will be in attending the ALIS DESIGN+ conference in Los Angeles on January 22-24th. We’re looking forward to connecting (and reconnecting). Want to meet up? Reach out to John Tripp, Ketan Shah, MHA, or Craig Capitelli. See you there!

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Looking for some holiday fun in and around Parker?

Check out my latest blog post, just in time for the Parker Hometown Christmas Parade (and other awesome events around Parker).

https://hipcatmedia.com/ten-places-to-celebrate-the-holidays-in-and-around-parker/

What’s your favorite thing to do this time of year?

Ten Places to Celebrate the Holidays In and Around Parker - HipCat Media LLC If you know me, you know I love Christmas and the holidays. Every year, I load up on Hallmark movies, put the tree up right after Halloween, and start planning our family fun. This year, I made a list of all the fun things to do for a date night, a family outing, or maybe…

Exciting news for Downtown Parker, CO!

Downtown Parker News:

Downtown Parker property owners vote to form new Business Improvement District (BID). The new BID will encompass businesses on the east side of Parker Road along Mainstreet.

Earlier this month, the business and property owners within the boundaries of Downtown Parker, voted to create a special Business Improvement District (BID) for the Downtown Parker area. The vote was part of a special TABOR election to authorize use of an assessment levy. Eligible voters are electors include any individuals who are registered to vote and who reside in, own property in, or own a business in the BID area. The Downtown Parker Business Improvement District will begin operating in January 2024.

It's the dawn of a new day for Downtown Parker,” says Kris Schnell, former Downtown Business Alliance chair and the initiator of the BID process. “This BID is a tool to ensure our businesses will thrive in the future, and the downtown area can continuously improve to better provide Parker residents the hometown feel they know and love."

The Downtown Business Alliance (DBA), a volunteer membership organization created to promote Downtown Parker, began soliciting support for the formation of a formal BID in 2020 after realizing the impacts COVID lockdowns had on our homegrown businesses. With the assistance of Downtown Colorado Inc. (DCI), and Progressive Urban Management Associates (PUMA). Surveys, workshops, and research were conducted to find out what local business and property owners believed to be the highest priorities to help sustain and attract business to Downtown Parker.

The Downtown Parker BID will provide enhanced services that do not replace the services already provided by the Town of Parker. An operating budget of $110,000 is anticipated for 2024 based on assessment projections. The BID does not replace any pre-existing general services provided by the Town of Parker. As future development comes to the Downtown Parker BID boundaries, the budget will
adjust and grow to match the needs of the growing downtown.

A BID is a private sector funding mechanism used to improve a downtown or commercial district. The enhanced services provided by the BID are financed through a self-imposed and self-governed assessment. The specific annual work program is yet to be determined by the BID Board of Directors, however, there are specific priorities identified by the Downtown Business Alliance that are expected to be a focus for 2024:

Physical Improvements and Beautification: Decorative lighting, banners, public art,
landscaping, street furniture, bike amenities, and common area maintenance.
Marketing, Promotions, and Identity: Collaborative advertising and branding to attract visitors and residents to Downtown Parker.

Economic Development: Support for existing businesses, retention, and recruitment of businesses to Downtown Parker.

Special Events: Organize festivals, ongoing event programming, maintenance during and after events. With the BID, Parker’s favorite traditions like the Hometown Christmas Parade and Trunk or Treat Off Mainstreet will continue to delight residents and visitors for years to come. Other events held downtown by other local organizations such as Parker Days (Parker Chamber of Commerce), Hometown Holidays (Town of Parker), Oktoberfest (Cherry Valley Rotary Club) are not affected by, or part of the BID’s responsibilities.

“We’re all in this together in the downtown Parker area,” says Tony Mango, Downtown Parker property and business owner. “We will either all grow together or die together. If my neighbors store fronts are boarded up, it would have devastating consequences on every one of us, and on the opposite end of the spectrum, if they’re thriving, it probably means we are thriving. There have been many downtowns that have died across America, and there have been many that have thrived. This is an important step towards thriving, which helps our entire community.”

The BID is managed by a five-person board of directors appointed by Town Council, consisting of three property owners, one DBA Member, and one business tenant (non-property owner) as well as ex-official representation from the Parker Town Council. It is possible that the BID could contract with the Downtown Business Alliance, an existing nonprofit, to provide day-to-day management and delivery of BID services. This model is consistent with other BID models throughout the state and the country, and could help reduce administrative costs, leverage resources, and eliminate duplication of services.

“This Business Improvement District is setting Parker up for future success and giving it a competitive edge over our neighboring towns and keeping Parker residents and dollars in Parker,” says Omar Castillo, President of the DBA. “With the growth around us, it’s imperative for Downtown Parker to remain relevant and continue to attract businesses, visitors, and residents to live, work, and play right here in Parker.”

Follow along this story by following Downtown Parker on Social Media and by visiting downtownparker.com.

🎄Sponsorship Opportunity🎄

We are in full swing into November and Downtown Parker is preparing for is the most wonderful time of the year on Mainstreet! We're just week's away from the Parker Hometown Christmas Parade and we need you help to make this year's parade a bigger than last year.

The parade will be bigger than last year with an addition of a holiday market at O'Brien Park. The Christmas Parade is hosted by the Downtown Business Alliance and members volunteer their time and talent to bring this community together for this hometown tradition.

The Downtown Business Alliance is a coalition of Downtown Parker business owners that are committed to the health and vibrancy of Downtown Parker through advocacy and promotion of Parker’s retail and service business core. As a nonprofit organization, the DBA hosts several events, and beatification projects throughout the year to keep Parker’s downtown a special place to live, work, and play for the town’s business owners and residents

Check out the sponsorship opportunities for this year's Parker Christmas Parade at parkerchristmasparade.com/sponsor/ !

Come say hi at the second annual Foxtober event. I’ll be there at the Painted Prairie tent!

Get your spook on at Trunk or Treat off Mainstreet, Oct. 28!

Vendors still needed for Parker Trunk or Treat event in October - Colorado Community Media With nearly 1,500 joining last year, it’s time to put on your best spooky fashion and costumes as the Town of Parker’s Trunk or Treat off Mainstreet is back.  Families can kick off the holiday season with music, enjoy entertainment and trick or treating in a safe place.  Families can also dona...

Fall seems to be in the air with these recent temperatures! 🍂 Start planning your outfits (costumes!) for Prairie Harvest Fest on Saturday, October 7th because there will be a festive photo booth. (And yes, you can get printouts of the photos!)

Do you know what you're dressing up as for Halloween? 👻 Let us know in the comments!

There's plenty more to experience this year at the 4th annual Prairie Harvest Fest. Get all the details here: https://lifeatpaintedprairie.com/events

Check the September edition of and learn more about the DBA and what we do for the community. Next event: Trunk or Treat Off Mainstreet on Oct. 28 visit the downtownparker.com website for more info on how to be a vendor.

Who wants to host a Toy/Gift Card Drive this holiday season for Be the Good Ones?

Here's the info:

If you would like to host a Toy/Gift Card Drive this year in your place of work, neighborhood, HOA, Church, Book Club, etc... Comment below!

We are hoping to find a lot of do-ers to DO this with us this year so we can continue to adopt many a family this Holiday Season! If for this drive will go out next month but I would love for our loving and generous community to start thinking about this and putting feelers out there with employers, HOA's, Church friends and more!

Stay tuned!

Saturday, October 28th, will be bustling with all the goons and goblins at the Trunk or Treat off Mainstreet. Last year, we had more than 1,500 kids and this year, we’re opening it up to 2,000. This year the first hour is a special sensory sensitive hour for kids. Vendor registration is open. Spots are limited. 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Downtown Parker in the Parker Station parking lot. Swipe left to see this year’s sponsors.

Throwback to client A2Z sync and the employee spotlight campaign.

This weekend!
🥰 Over 20 vendors
🥰 Over 30 open houses and model homes to tour
😍 Tesla Test Drives
😌 Food Truck and Coffee
☺️ Aurora Bookmobile

What a way to start the weekend! 🥰

Across from the Ga***rd in Aurora. Stop by and say hi!

Regenerative agriculture, honoring the land on which its built — 1881 Park at Windler will be a great place for the community.

How two architecture firms are reimagining a historic farm in Aurora

https://shoutoutcolorado.com/meet-michelle-tripp-principal-at-hipcat-media/

Meet Michelle Tripp | Principal at HipCat Media - SHOUTOUT COLORADO We had the good fortune of connecting with Michelle Tripp...

https://digiday.com/marketing/fragmented-media-landscape-changes-what-clients-expect-from-pr-agencies/

Fragmented media landscape changes what clients expect from PR agencies As the media landscape ventures further into digitization and fragmentation, public relations agencies expand their offerings to keep up.

Great day of grand openings at Painted Prairie today!

PR is more than just “wanting to be famous.” It’s a whole lot more.

How PR Can Support Different Business Functions This blog describes how PR can support different business functions.

Great analogy on why PR matters, and what you can expect from a PR agency or practitioner.

Why Public Relations Is Like Going to the Gym Although companies are under pressure to generate revenue and meet their sales goals — and are understandably anxious to find an agency that will help them get there quickly — PR, like going to the gym, is a process that requires time, dedication, consistency and patience.

Parker’s Hometown Christmas Parade is set for December 10

Presented by the Downtown Business Alliance, the parade features several hometown favorites and few surprises too!

PARKER, COLO., Nov. 30, 2022 — A beloved tradition is back in Downtown Parker. The Parker Hometown Christmas Parade presented by the Downtown Business Alliance is set for December 10 at 10:00 a.m. The parade will feature several local Parker businesses, organizations, and a few surprise guests along the way. (Hint: Their names rhyme with Shmanta and Mrs. Claus.)

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to bring this tradition back to downtown Parker,” said Brandi Wilks, newly elected Parker Town Councilwoman and Downtown Business Alliance (DBA) committee member. “We will continue to celebrate with horse-drawn carriages, and also floats and walkers from organizations and businesses that make Parker a special place to live, work and play.”

The parade starts at 10:00 a.m., however viewers along the parade route can arrive as early as 9:00 a.m. The parade winds along Mainstreet from Victorian Drive to Parker Station and will start along Victorian Drive and end going east on Mainstreet.

Parker Mayor Jeff Toborg and local actress and former television host, Jacquie Palisi will emcee the parade from the corner of Parker Station and Victorian Drive. There will be a second emcee station near Kilwins announced by past parade host, Michael Strauss and Joni Rocco, owner of Artistic Floors by Design. Along the parade route on Victorian Drive, attendees can get their photo taken with live reindeer courtesy of 7 Oaks Ranch (Franktown, Colo.), visit with local businesses offering free hot cocoa during the parade, and interact with several other holiday themed characters.

“The DBA board and volunteers have been working on bringing back this Parker favorite for more than a year,” said Omar Castillo, President of the DBA. “With the support of the Cherry Creek Valley Rotary Club, and the multiple businesses and organizations throughout Parker, we are hoping to bring a little bit of holiday cheer to the 2022 holiday season and reimagine a long-standing Parker tradition.”

The Parker Hometown Christmas Parade will be livestreamed courtesy of Michael McKinnis Financial Advisors and Loclyz Media Service. To view the livestream or learn more about the parade - visit www.parkerchristmasparade.com, or follow Downtown Parker on Facebook and Instagram at .

Several sponsors have committed their time, talent, and treasure to make the Parker Hometown Parade possible. These sponsors include several downtown Parker businesses, as well as other organizations throughout Parker: Downtown Business Alliance, Cherry Creek Valley Rotary Club of Parker, 20 Mile Central, Champion Bank, Wilks Real Estate, Barrington Group Real Estate, Parker Law Group, Fika Coffeehouse, Kilwins Parker, Mountain View Surgical Associates, Colonna’s Pizza, Confluence, CORE Electric, 1st Bank, Mile High Golf Cars, Box Elder Creek Horse & Carriage, Car Connections, Parker Chamber of Commerce, Black + Haus Tavern, and Michael McKinnis Financial Advisors.

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About the Downtown Business Alliance
The Downtown Business Alliance is a coalition of Downtown Parker business owners that are committed to the health and vibrancy of Downtown Parker. Through advocacy and promotion of Parker’s retail and service business core. As a nonprofit organization, the DBA hosts several events, and beatification projects throughout the year to keep Parker’s downtown a special place to live, work, and play for the town’s business owners, residents, and business owners. To learn more about the DBA, visit www.downtownparker.com.

Media Contact: Michelle Tripp, HipCat Media, 303.319.9669; [email protected]

Yes it’s been quiet around a here for a while. Truth is that there has been a lot of life that has happened over the past 16 months. Losing and almost losing family members takes a toll on the heart. It also takes a lot of healing. Looking forward to welcoming new clients, and creating and reconnecting. It’s important to be thankful all year round, even when you don’t think you have anything to be thankful for. This picture is in my office. Bought it in CA when my dad was in hospice care. It’s the famous Lone Cypress in Monterey. A place my dad knew well. It serves as a reminder that life will have you weather many storms, and when it comes down to it, it’s your roots that keep you standing tall. Love you dad. ❤️