There’s been a lot of buzz about Texas of late, with droves of people packing up to move there from all over the US. We spoke with a few of Texas’ PR power players to uncover the allure of the big state and how the local industry scene is these days. Read on for their insights on everything from professional projects to local favorites in different cities.
Suzanne Droese is a fixture within the local and national PR and media communities, with more than 20 years of experience in the industry powering her namesake agency. DPR has the client list and accolades to back up the buzz: the firm was named on Forbes’ 2021 list of America’s Best PR Agencies, and Suzanne herself was named to The Dallas 500 in 2020. Not only can you consult Suzanne for her PR expertise, but she’s also fostered a space for talent; in 2017, she co-founded Estate Five Media, a talent management agency with offices in Dallas and NYC (more on that soon).
Why it’s a great time to be in Texas:
It’s always a great time to be in Texas! As a native Texan, I think our positive spirit and resilience are just key to who we are. To quote Coach Taylor from Friday Night Lights, "Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose."
Favorite spots to dine, primp, shop and work out:
To Dine…I’m a creature of habit, so you will most likely find me at Parigi with a glass of wine in hand.
To Primp… Cerón Hair in Highland Park Village. There is no one that does hair like Ceron. He is truly a master at his craft. And, I’ve recently been turned on to the salon’s Makeup and Esthetician Director, Dolores Villaneuva. My brows have never looked better!
To Shop…There are so many incredible stores in Dallas. My “go to” spots are The Conservatory, MARKET, and Gucci.
To Work out…I’ve had the same personal trainer, Medley Butterfield, for years. She’s the only one that can keep me motivated and hold me accountable.
Sneak peek of exciting current projects:
There are so many! And, as we’re starting to see a light at the end of this crazy tunnel, I’m most excited about some of our brands that launched during COVID – such as Kástra Elión (an incredible vodka distilled from Greek olives). And I’m so proud to say that all of our clients have been staying strong for the last year, continuing to create and innovate in spite of challenges. Leatherology’s soon-to-launch line of Canvas is going to be a huge hit. The response has already been incredible! Southern Tide has an upcoming collaboration of sunglasses. If you tend to lose your sunglasses to the bottom of a lake or ocean, this collection was made for you! And Casa Dragones has some exciting news coming out of Marfa, Texas, soon. I am also proud of the important messages our clients have been supporting. I feel very grateful to be surrounded by such talented founders and entrepreneurs.
Lynsey Eaton is managing partner at Estate Five Media, the aforementioned global talent management firm founded by Suzanne Droese and Tina Craig of Bag Snob. Lynsey pivoted before it was popular: she’s a graduate of the Pepperdine University School of Law, and it’s while she was pursuing her LA-based law career that she first got into the influencer space, circa 2009. The Dallas local has been featured in The New York Times, Business of Fashion, The Atlantic and Marie Claire, and has been recognized as one of Refinery29’s “30 Under 30 Game Changers” and as one of Business Insider's "15 Top Talent Managers."
Why it’s a great time to be in Texas:
My husband and I moved to Dallas from Los Angeles nearly 8 years ago, and we have watched it change so much during that time. I love watching the population become more diverse. The melding of different cultures with the Texas way of life and vibe is really cool to watch. It is a privilege to bear witness to that evolution.
Favorite spots to dine, primp, shop and work out:
I jokingly call the Drybar my home office, as that is about as much primping as I get these days. We haven't dined out much recently, but I did have the opportunity to try both of the new restaurants at The Thompson Hotel, Catbird and Monarch, and they were excellent. If you go to Monarch, the risotto is a must have. If you are just looking for good margaritas and queso (what else is there), Mi Cocina is still your best bet. As for shopping, Highland Park Village will always be my first stop.
Sneak peek of exciting current projects:
Estate Five has been working diligently on the launches of some large-scale talent driven product lines, along with high profile projects in the television and podcast realms that have us very excited about 2021. Unfortunately, they are all still very hush hush, but keep a watch on this space!
A Columbia University grad, Jesse Parker Stowell climbed up the PR ranks in New York City before starting his own shop in Austin. His career began with an internship with Full Picture that turned into a 13-year career building experience, overseeing PR campaigns for the likes of smartwater, vitaminwater, Revlon, Almay, Saturday Night Live, Heidi Klum and popchips. His agency Parker|Phoenix provides media relations, comms, branding and marketing services for local and national businesses, talent and events. Today, he counts clients including American Express, Matthew McConaughey, Brooklyn Decker and Andy Roddick and more.
Why it’s a great time to be in Texas:
I moved from NYC to Austin for a slower pace of life and to explore a beautiful city. Others must have felt the same and in the last few years I've watched Austin grow exponentially. It's exciting to watch people discover Texas while also working with the people who have lived here for so long to maintain some core values of Texans. #KeepAustinAustin
Favorite spots to dine, primp, shop and work out:
Austin constantly has something new opening, so my favorites change from week to week. I love dining at old school Austin places like Justine's Brasserie and revivals like Swedish Hill, but also eat at home a lot thanks to plant-based meal delivery service Prep To Your Door. For working out, I'm all about convenience: though I'm an Equinox member there is a small gym called Central Athlete in East Austin with a cold plunge bath and infrared sauna for recovery. If I'm on the west side and jonesing for a work out, Barry's Bootcamp just opened as well! For shopping I'm a huge fan of ByGeorge, Garrett Leight California Optical and Stag on South Congress for clothes and sunglasses. For my 2 pups, Ruffles and Frito's, Barkin Creek Dog Kitchen & Bath is my go-to for everything from food to pet technology!
Sneak peek of exciting current projects:
I'm just wrapping up a publicity campaign for Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves' We're Texas Virtual Benefit to support those affected by the winter storm. That has been so rewarding as both national press and local media have wholeheartedly backed the event with a ton of coverage. I'm also helping interior designer Patrice Rios feature some of the amazing work she has done on the newly opened Colton House Hotel, which has been a blast. Some projects feel more like a public service, and I've been honored to work with epidemiologist Dr. Anne Rimoin to educate people (through the media) about pandemic safety for the last 9 months.
A fifth-generation Texan, Dancie Ware knows the lay of the land well – and she’s had a hand in shaping it, too. Her all-female firm is based in Houstin and was just named in Forbes’ 2021 List of America’s Best PR Agencies. A cultural leader, DPWPR is behind many of Houston’s monumental civic events, and also powers clients including Fortune 500 global brands, privately held corporations, entrepreneurial endeavors, not-for-profit organizations and more. Darcie herself serves on several local boards and was recently honored by the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce.
Why it’s a great time to be in Texas:
It’s always great to be in Texas! Particularly, when you are a 5th generation Texan. I truly love all things Texan; particularly the night skies, the hill country, and the Gulf shore. Throughout my career, Texas has been a phenomenal and amazing place to create a business and watch it thrive. Houston is a city that is recognized for its internationalism, robust medical center, and incredible cultural scene which is always appealing. It is a great time to witness the resurgence of city parks and green spaces throughout Texas.
Favorite spots to dine, primp, shop and work out:
- Work out: Regular walks in Memorial Park’s newly created Eastern Glades. Along with East Beach in Galveston.
- Dining: Sushi served poolside at The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston, BCN and Le Colonial.
- Shopping: With limited time for in-person shopping, I rely heavily on Janie Luna at Neiman Marcus and love all things Brunello Cucinelli.
- Primp: Tarek is my hair style go-to at Ceron Salon.
Sneak peek of exciting current projects:
All of our projects are stimulating and certainly fulfilling! Being on the ground floor of the master plan and transformation of Memorial Park has to be a standout project. As Houston watches it transform daily before our eyes, the master plan crafted by noted landscape Thomas Woltz will be a lasting legacy of Memorial Park Conservancy’s imprint on the city. We are part proud to be playing a role in that creation and development.
Melissa Rubenstein heads up consumer communications and strategy at Noom, the digital health platform designed to help users create new habits to prioritize their health for the long haul. Originally from Bethesda, Maryland, Melissa worked at some of NYC’s top PR agencies before moving to Austin. She was previously the Head of Public Relations at locally-headquartered Outdoor Voices.
Why it’s a great time to be in Texas:
I moved to Austin three years ago without ever having been, and I'm so happy I took the leap. There's an incredible energy here that is contagious. Aside from the beautiful parks and trails, Austin has a bustling food, music, and entrepreneurial scene that the rest of the world is finally paying attention to. Don't sleep on Texas!
Favorite spots to dine, primp, shop and work out:
Dine: Suerte, Licha's, Uchiko, June's, ATX Cocina, Il Brutto, Red Ash
Primp: ROAR Salon (see Pepper!), Esby, By George, Tillery Street Plant Co.
Work Out: Urban Lagree (exclusively!)
Sneak peek of exciting current projects:
Our sights are set on helping as many people as possible live healthier lives, and that expands beyond weight loss. We've formed a best-in-class Communications team and we've only just begun to tell and amplify the Noom story.
Sang Lee established herself as a mainstay at Bumble, the dating and networking app, getting her start as the global public relations intern in 2018. Today she leads as Communications Manager, supporting Bumble’s strategic external comms. The University of Texas at Austin grad holds a BS in Public Relations.
Why it’s a great time to be in Texas:
There are lots of reasons, but at the moment I would say the weather! In Austin specifically, the weather is generally warm and sunny. I’ve been enjoying the signs of spring with flowers blooming in my neighborhood, in local parks, and on roadsides throughout the city. I’m thankful for this beautiful weather, especially coming out of the disruptive snowstorm that caused massive power outages across the state last month.
Favorite spots to dine, primp, shop and work out:
One of the things that I love about Austin is its amazing food scene! There’s no shortage of options no matter which part of town you’re in and what you’re in the mood for. If I had to pick my top places, it would be Ah Sing Den, Lin Asian Bar, and épicerie.
Currently, I’m mostly taking online virtual classes. Prior to the pandemic, I enjoyed taking group classes regularly at a studio called DEFINE Austin. They offered a variety of classes ranging from barre to themed spin rides. My favorite class was definitely Bounce, where you engage in cardio-based workout moves on top of mini-trampolines. I’m so looking forward to going back to the studio once it’s safe to do so.
Sneak peek of exciting current projects:
In February, I had the opportunity to support the launch of Bumble’s partnership with Airbnb. We released a collection of Bumble-approved Online Experiences that ranged from an interactive game night at the Louvre Museum in Paris to a hidden jazz club with live performances from Spanish musicians! This partnership resonated with a lot of people who were struggling to find a fun and safe way to spend their Valentine’s Day this year due to the pandemic.
Another fun project was the launch of Bumble’s new virtual dating feature, Night In, where two people can participate in an interactive game over a one-on-one video chat after matching within the app. In the past year, we’ve seen our community lean heavily into our existing virtual dating features such as Voice Call or Video Chat. In fact, following the State of Emergency that was declared in the U.S. at the start of the pandemic, we saw a nearly 70% increase in use, and the average time spent on a call or chat was close to 30 minutes during that same time. We launched Night In with these insights in mind and to better support our community through their dating journey at this time. It was incredible to work behind the scenes and collaborate with teams from across the organization to help bring awareness and buzz around the new feature.
