# Aardvark Communications

> Aardvark Communications, Inc - Full Service Marketing


## Posts

### Bringing Vision to Life: The Making of Providence Hill Academy’s Brand

When Amanda Escobar set out to create Providence Hill Academy, she had a powerful vision: to build a Christ-centered school that seamlessly blends academic excellence, faith, and real-world learning. Nestled on a peaceful working ranch in Weatherford, Texas, Providence Hill offers a unique educational experience that’s as enriching as it is transformative.But to bring this vision to life and connect with the right families, Amanda needed a brand that felt as intentional, distinctive, and rooted in purpose as her mission. That’s where we came in. A Brand Identity That Reflects Faith, Learning, and LeadershipAt Aardvark Communications, we were honored to help launch Providence Hill Academy from the ground up. Amanda partnered with us to create a complete brand identity, starting with the foundation: logo design, color palette, brand voice, and a custom website that would capture the heart of the school and serve as a compelling digital front door.Crafting a brand goes beyond selecting fonts and pretty colors. A great brand communicates who you are, what you believe, and why people should trust you. For Providence Hill Academy, each piece of their brand needed to point back to their belief that education should ignite wonder, inspire leadership, and build a foundation of unwavering faith.  Designing a Visual Identity The first element we focused on was the logo. One of the main offerings that makes Providence Hill Academy unique is its equestrian program, so we knew a horse needed to take center stage. The equestrian program teaches students confidence, discipline, and leadership.As an academic institution, we also wanted the logo to convey prestige and legacy. We designed a classic crest to reflect academic excellence, anchored by strong serif typography and sophisticated styling. Jewel-toned greens and rich gold further underscored the school’s commitment to both professionalism and spiritual richness.To ensure flexibility across platforms and materials, we built out a full logo suite: a crest emblem, a circular logo, a horizontal logo, and a distinct logo mark for social media and apparel. The result is a timeless brand that communicates strength, trust, and tradition. Giving the Brand a VoiceNext, we developed Providence Hill’s brand voice, one that’s warm, inspiring, faith-forward, and full of wonder. We worked closely with Amanda to capture the heart behind the school and articulate the distinct value it offers, including hands-on learning, discipleship-driven instruction, and a supportive hybrid model that empowers both students and parents.The tagline, “Harvesting knowledge, sowing faith,” encapsulates the school’s dual focus. It is rooted in spiritual growth and academic preparation. A Website That Welcomes and ConvertsWith the visual identity and voice established, we brought the brand to life online with a beautiful, functional website. Designed to resonate with like-minded families, the site offers a seamless experience, from exploring the school’s unique programs to understanding its faith-based philosophy and hybrid model.The website was built to inspire, but also to inform and convert. With intuitive navigation, strong SEO structure, and thoughtful content, it provides families with everything they need to take the next step toward enhancing their child's education. Why Professional Branding MattersProvidence Hill Academy is a powerful reminder of what happens when passion meets purpose and how a strategic brand can elevate that message. Whether you’re launching a new business or refining an existing one, investing in professional branding ensures you make the right first impression and connect with the people who matter most. A great brand builds trust, drives engagement, and grows your organization. Ready to Build Your Brand?Whether you're launching a new venture or refreshing your existing brand, Aardvark Communications is here to help you create a visual identity and digital presence that truly reflects your mission.Contact us today to start your branding journey.

### Experience Matters: Why Non-Traditional Students Deserve a Seat at the Table

Carolyn Alvey, President, Aardvark CommunicationsWhen we are reviewing resumes, we don’t just look for the most polished—we look for people with passion and a hunger to learn. That’s especially true for interns. We believe everyone’s path is different, and non-traditional students—those who’ve taken time off, changed careers, or returned to school later in life—often bring something incredibly valuable to the table.While many students take a straight line from high school to college to career, others may take a more winding route—pausing for work, family, or personal growth before returning to school. Those experiences shouldn’t be seen as detours, but as potential assets. Non-traditional students often bring fresh perspectives, real-world experience, and a level of confidence that only comes from navigating life outside the classroom.They’ve held jobs, solved real problems, and learned how to adapt. That can translate into interns who jump in quickly, speak up when they see an opportunity, and aren’t afraid to pitch in—no matter the task.Aardvark Communications hired a non-traditional student this summer as an intern because we viewed her through a different lens. She has been a great hire, and we would do it again.The resume of a non-traditional student may not follow the typical timeline, but their stories often reveal grit, maturity, and leadership. In many cases, mentoring them feels more like collaborating with a colleague.In our business, we’re storytellers—and non-traditional interns can bring stories worth a listen. When we welcome those voices into the room, our teams grow stronger, more inclusive, and more creative.Emily A. Smith, University of Oklahoma Student, Summer InternLet’s talk about the word “intern.”People often associate it with coffee runs and copy machines. But that hasn’t been my experience. Most interns I know are doing real work in their field. Sure, sometimes you print things or run an errand, but these kinds of tasks come with any job, internship or not.I’ve had a non-traditional path. I dropped out of school, worked full-time, supported my partner through his own non-traditional journey, and eventually came back to school on my timeline. I’m older than most of my classmates, yet that never stopped me from landing a summer internship.When you’re a non-traditional student, interviewing comes with a choice: tell my whole story, or present myself like a traditional student. I could leave my full-time jobs out of the conversation and talk about everything I am involved in on campus. But I’d rather tell my whole story.I start off every interview with “I am a non-traditional student.” Might this disqualify me right away? Sure. But I have grown to be passionate about my story and want to present my authentic self to hiring managers. There is always something to learn. You are never too experienced to pitch in, ask questions, or say “yes.”I’ve always loved stories, listening to them, telling them, and being part of them. That’s what led me toward PR. And once I got here, I wasn’t going to sit back and wait to be told what to do. I was going to show up, be useful, and continue to learn.From day one, my coworkers at Aardvark trusted me with the same tasks they handle: media pitching, traveling and putting on events across Texas, live media appearances, and writing.All it takes is for one person to listen, care, and understand your story.

### When Love and a Legendary Treat Collide: Meet Mr. and Mrs. Blizzard

When Olivia Morris said yes to Bradley Blizzard, she had no idea her engagement would spark one of the sweetest brand collaborations of the year — or that her soon-to-be last name would trend alongside one of America’s most iconic frozen treats.The creative spark behind the Mr. and Mrs. Blizzard campaign came from Olivia’s TikTok which initiated the heartwarming collaboration with the bride-to-be. Once the story was in motion, Aardvark Communications stepped in to generate media interest and amplify the buzz. Our role was to secure coverage that captured the spirit of the campaign — and the results didn’t disappoint. From local features to a standout story in People Magazine, we helped share Olivia and Bradley’s sweet journey with millions across the country.		
																														
		The Texas Dairy Queen Operators’ Council (TDQOC) embraced the opportunity to celebrate the soon-to-be Mr. & Mrs. Blizzard with a series of joyful activations:A whimsical engagement photoshoot at a Texas DQBranded swag and custom “Mrs. Blizzard” jacketGift cards and goodies for bachelor and bachelorette partiesOngoing digital engagement throughout the couple’s wedding seasonAnd of course, plenty of Blizzard Treats.The campaign amplified Dairy Queen’s Texas brand with heartwarming storytelling, seasonal relevance, and a highly shareable narrative that media couldn’t resist.The Results? They were as sweet as a Blizzard Treat.Aardvark Communications secured:$7.7M+ in earned media value287 media placements generating 340.8M+ media impressions100% positive sentiment across all coverageA wave of goodwill just in time for summer Blizzard season Outlets from coast to coast shared the happy couple’s story, reinforcing the Blizzard Treat as a joyful part of life’s special moments — whether it’s date night, wedding season, or just a hot day in Texas.For us, this campaign was more than just great numbers — it was a masterclass in recognizing an organic opportunity and turning it into national buzz. The Mr. and Mrs. Blizzard story reminded us that real people and real joy can make a brand feel more human — and more iconic — than ever.Our team had a blast working behind the scenes to turn this one-of-a-kind love story into a media moment — and in the process, helped create memories for the bride and groom that will last a lifetime. It's the kind of story that reminds us why we do what we do: real people, real joy, and the power of a well-timed Blizzard.

### Meet the Team: David Alvey, CEO of Aardvark Communications

To know the story of Aardvark Communications is to know the story of David Alvey. For without David’s vision and desire to do something new and different, Aardvark Communications would not exist. 



David’s professional journey started on the high seas as a U.S. Navy journalist onboard the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga, where he honed his storytelling skills in print and broadcast media. In 1983, David transitioned to advertising, starting as a copywriter and working his way up to VP/Creative Director before taking a leap of faith and founding Aardvark in 1992. 



“When I started Aardvark (originally Aardvark Studios, a Creative Services agency), most of the agencies were named after their owners or partners (Alvey, Alvey & Smith) and were indistinguishable from law firms. I wanted Aardvark to be different,” explained David. 



As all good marketers do, David concepted with a group of creatives to brainstorm branding for his agency. “I loved the name Aardvark, so I did a little research,” he said. David discovered that the Aardvark is the sole representative of the genus Orycteropus. “I did a little shirt-tail research and found many people liked the creativity of the name. But what really sold me on it was the people who said, ‘You can’t name it Aardvark! Nobody will take you seriously.’ I’d rather be known for creativity than my seriousness. We’ve proven over the years you can be both.” 



“Aardvarks are truly one of a kind,” he continued. “And I’ve always considered our agency and our team to be one of a kind. We’re a distinctly different breed. We’re more interested in developing relationships than making a quick buck. I’m incredibly proud of the many long-term relationships we’ve developed over the years…with clients, creatives and even other agencies.”



David has guided the agency to thrive for more than three decades, surviving the uncertainties after 9/11, the financial turmoil in 2008, and the unique challenges of a world-wide pandemic. All while maintaining his passion for the work. “I love what I do,” said David. “Every day we face new challenges - even with clients we’ve had for decades. This industry is constantly evolving and changing. We don’t do business the same way we did 10 years ago, much less 30 years ago. I look forward to each day and the new challenges ahead.”



How does he maintain his professional enthusiasm? “Stay curious,” he shared. “Never stop learning and growing. If you ever reach the point that you think you have this industry all figured out, then it’s time to do something else.”



When he’s not working, David explores his passion for photography, art and live music.



An adventurer at heart, you’ll often find him with a camera in hand, capturing nature, car shows, outings with family and friends, and live music events.



Four fast and final questions…



Coffee or tea? 



Coffee. Not even a comparison.



Introvert or extrovert? 



Introvert by nature but an extrovert by trade. Having to make many presentations and lead a group of creative people has caused me to become more of an extrovert. Now, I’m very comfortable in social situations. But I still value my “alone time.”



Morning person or night owl? 



Night owl. 



Messy or tidy? 



Messy. I’ve tried all the fads in filing and organizational systems. But I’m more of a “piles over files” guy. I can find something I worked on 10 years ago very quickly and confidently. My desk may look a mess, but I’m meticulous in cataloging digital files.



The book or the movie? 



I love a good book, but I can devour a movie in much less time. I tend to read more for research and knowledge than pleasure. 



Take Your Business to New Heights with Aardvark



Aardvark Communications provides a full array of services including advertising, public relations, digital marketing, creative, media planning & buying, social media, and web design/SEO. We deliver everything from ideation and strategy to development and execution.




 “Our mission is to partner with clients, fostering personal and professional growth as we bring their vision to life,” said David. “Our success is reflected in the success of our clients, built on long-standing partnerships and industry-leading innovation.”




If you’re looking for a marketing partner, I’d love to hear from you! Reach out today.

### People ask us all the time, “why did you name your company Aardvark?”

Well, to put it in perspective you have to go back with us more than 30 years to April 1, 1992. No fooling, we officially registered our company with the state of Texas on April Fools’ Day. But that’s a different story for another day.



In the ‘90s most Ad agencies were indistinguishable from law firms. Founded by David Alvey, a former Vice President/Creative Director of an international agency in Dallas, he could’ve named it Alvey, Alvey & Smith. Or Alvey & Associates. But he wanted to be different.



From the very beginning, we were committed to doing the best work we possibly could. And we were more concerned about building relationships than building our portfolios. So, we assembled a team of creatives to brainstorm. The Synergy Group? The Creative Shop? In the heated mix of concepting, someone suggested “Aardvark.”



Hmm. It’s different. It’s funky. But what does a hairless critter with a long snout have to do with creating great work? However, the more we said it out loud, the more it brought a smile to our founder’s face. A mischievous one, but a smile nonetheless.



So, our founder went to the Research Section at the Dallas Public Library. (Remember, in the dark ages of 1992 the internet was not public domain.) Thumbing through the stacks of books, he discovered that an Aardvark is the sole representative of the genus Orycteropus. 



“Aardvarks are truly one of a kind,” he concluded. “And we want to be different. I like it!“



 A little shirt-tail research found many people liked the creativity of the name. But what really sold us was the people who said, “You can’t name it Aardvark! Nobody will take you seriously.” What creative wants to be known for being “serious?”So, we started as Aardvark Studios, a creative services agency. As we grew, we added public relations, web design, media planning and buying, social media, etc. Since we were no longer the cheeky creative services agency that we started as, we hired an outside branding agency to review our messaging and corporate identity and come back to us with suggestions. You can’t make this stuff up: one of the names they came back to us with was Alvey & Alvey! We incorporated as Aardvark Communications, Inc.



Now, three decades later, people still ask, “Why Aardvark?” And we let our work, our results, and our many satisfied clients answer that age-old question. And, yes, we can be serious when needed. But it’s more important to us that we deliver serious results for our clients.

### Aardvark Helps Tell Stories

Working with our clients, Aardvark crafts stories that resonate and inspire others. When Jesuit Dallas kicker Noah McGough chose to use his platform to shine a light on Men of Nehemiah, a faith-based, residential addiction recovery program in Dallas, Aardvark amplified this amazing story through a strategic PR campaign.During the 2024 football season, McGough, a senior at Jesuit Dallas, asked the community to donate money for every point he scored. More than $55,000 was raised to fund scholarships and support counseling for the men’s families.The results of the PR campaign also were significant, including news stories on Fox 4, NBC5, WFAA, CBS11, Spectrum News, Inside High School Sports, Park Cities People, Focus North Texas, Dallas Express, Patch, BubbleLife, Lake Highlands Advocate, Preston Hollow Advocate, Yahoo Sports, and AOL.McGough also invested his time with the men. “Every Tuesday night the Men of Nehemiah gather for an All City Worship, a spirit-filled service that is powerful and transformative,” said McGough. “You must experience it to understand the power that’s present in that room. I feel the love of God in and around these men.”“The men see God’s love through Noah, and they respond to him,” said Jim Ramsey, Men of Nehemiah CEO, who had retired after a successful 30-year consulting career. He also came to a worship service and was drawn in to how he could help the organization be more successful.“We’re very thankful Noah drew attention to our program and raised much needed funds,” continued Ramsey. “More importantly, he demonstrated that he really cares about our men. Many of these men have been estranged from their families. Some have been incarcerated. More than a few lived on the streets while others come to us from affluent neighborhoods. Addiction respects no zip code.”		
																										
																										
		Men of Nehemiah is a unique program that combines Biblical discipleship with professional counseling and military discipline to restore lives that have been derailed by drug and alcohol addiction. The objective is to help each man become the person God intended him to be and reunite him with his loved ones and community. In 1994, Pastor Louis Harrell, a former US Army Colonel, founded Men of Nehemiah in New Orleans to deliver his wayward son, Louis Harrell, Jr., from the grip of addiction. Louis Jr. relocated to North Texas after Hurricane Katrina, and launched Men of Nehemiah in Dallas with the help of Roger McCasland, President and CEO of Operation Relief Center.Today, Men of Nehemiah has helped more than 1,500 men find paths to recovery. Research compiled in 2022 affirmed that 61% of men who graduated from Men of Nehemiah prior to 2020 stayed sober for at least two years. More information is available at menofnehemiah.org.

### Garden Helps Men Recovering from Addiction

The Dallas non-profit, Men of Nehemiah, offers men a nine-month residential recovery program that seeks to restore the lives of men that have been derailed by drug and alcohol addiction.


While addiction isn’t a sexy story to tell, it is an important story. According to the 2023 United States National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 27.7 million men in the United States are impacted by addiction.


Aardvark Communications is helping Men of Nehemiah shape the addiction story to increase the non-profit’s awareness and recently earned a front-page feature in The Dallas Morning News.


This story shines a light on the Men of Nehemiah’s garden. It is a testament to the power of storytelling and the importance of amplifying voices that inspire others.


In addition to The Dallas Morning News, the garden story also was covered by Fox 4 News Dallas.


Nestled in the shadow of a concrete jungle just south of downtown Dallas, the inner-city garden is providing men recovering from addiction with a tangible example of what happens when a man is willing to get his hands dirty, be patient, and put in the work to reap long-term results.


The garden is a fundamental classroom for someone going through difficulty. The garden requires patience and hard work. It’s dirty work and it isn't initially beautiful. But with patience and perseverance, the garden will deliver something nourishing.


“When men come to Men of Nehemiah, they have lost all structure in their lives,” said Pastor Louis Harrell Jr., the founder. “We instill discipline to help the men be successful in a controlled environment so they learn how to create boundaries. The garden is another tool we use to teach the men about a healthy lifestyle which includes their nutrition, service and the confidence that they have something meaningful to contribute.”


The garden yields an abundance of okra, eggplant, squash, cucumbers, watermelon, cantaloupe, tomatoes, lettuce, cauliflower, and broccoli, but offers more than fresh produce. It provides an opportunity for the Men of Nehemiah to slow down, work with their hands, and experience the healing beauty of nature.


One participant on the path to recovery, explained how he views the garden. “When I’m in the garden, the weeds are like my addiction,” he said. “The weeds surrounded me. They were trying to take over my life, choking me out, and causing me not to grow. Once I got the weeds – the drugs -- out of my life, I still have to re-train my mind and body to be able to function in Life.”


Today, Men of Nehemiah has helped more than 1,500 men find paths to recovery. Research compiled in 2022 affirmed that 61% of men who graduated from Men of Nehemiah prior to 2020 stayed sober for at least two years. Of the men who graduated from the program in 2022, 100% were employed when they left the program and each man had a savings account. Throughout 2022, the men completed 11,148 hours of community service. More information is available at menofnehemiah.org.

### The Art and Science of Account Management

Great advertising agencies are known for their memorable ad campaigns; and the art directors and copywriters who create these funny, moving, heart-warming campaigns are the rock stars of the ad world.  Behind the scenes, however, there is a team of account executives, media planners, producers and traffic specialists who are all vital to getting these awesome campaigns produced and in front of the target audience. I want to talk specifically about the role of the account executive, the AE, as that’s the position I’ve held during my career in advertising.



A good AE is a business strategist, a brand steward, an analyst, wrangler, planner and traffic cop.  And to be fair, a frequent user of the Resy and Open Table apps.  There is an art and a science to great account management, so let me shed some light on what that entails.



The Art



Effective account management is built on great relationships. Relationships with the clients, the creative team, media planners - everyone who touches the client’s business. For these relationships to be effective, they must be built on trust.  The art is crafting the right mix of business acumen, insight, accountability and camaraderie to earn and maintain that trust.  The client must see the AE as a business partner -  someone who understands their business like they do.  The AE must become an invaluable resource, the go-to person who can be counted on to solve problems and get stuff done – sometimes under tremendous pressure and short deadlines. 



A great AE is not a yes-man.  Part of the art is knowing how and when to push back appropriately.  The AE must be a voice of reason to help a client think through a business challenge and steer them away from a quick solution that may have a negative long-term impact on their brand or business results. This ability to push back is earned by time in the trenches, crunching the numbers and developing plans that help the client achieve their objectives. When the client knows you have skin in the game and are equally committed to their long-term success, they are more open to a gentle nudge in another direction.



The Science



Don’t let all the hand shaking, cheerleading and reservations making fool you.  A great AE knows his stuff, including market share and sales numbers, lead counts, conversion rates, competitive spending, consumer trends, the state of the economy and exactly what a consumer thinks about the client’s brand.  The science of account management is the ability to sort through all the facts and figures to ferret out the insights that become the foundation of a great campaign.  These insights are based on a deep understanding of all the market dynamics that influence the client’s business, combined with a knowledge of how consumers relate to the brand and their purchase and shopping behavior.



So, what is the point of all this art and science stuff?  Think of it as a guide to help you find the right agency partner - a team you can trust to help solve your problems and who have a shared commitment to your success.  It’s critically important to note that a great client-agency relationship is a shared commitment to transparent, open and honest communication. Your AE can only work their art and science magic if they have access to all the data and information about your brand, business results, competition, business objectives, etc. View them as an extension of your marketing department and pull them into the tent to dig through the data and collectively problem solve. 



The team at Aardvark Communications has the passion, experience and creativity to be the marketing partner to launch a brand or grow an existing business. Our many long-term client relationships are testament to our track record of success.  As the agency’s lead account guy, I’m ready to brew up a little art and science on your behalf, and maybe even take you out for lunch.  Call me and let’s get cookin’.

### Ice, Ice Baby

ice, ice baby!				
		Hawaiian Falls Waterparks in Mansfield, Roanoke and Waco, Texas hosted their Annual Ice Dumps for pure fun! This event was created by Aardvark Communications more than a dozen years ago. People loved it, so naturally, it became a tradition! The objective was to create an inexpensive event that positioned Hawaiian Falls as a refreshing option for guests to cool off in the heat of summer. But it needed a hook, so we proposed dumping a TON (2,000 pounds) of ice into the wavepool. During the event, Hawaiian Falls team members engage guests from the stage above the wavepool, where they slide the ice into the water from wheelbarrows. In between ice dumps, the kids squeal, “ICE, ICE, ICE!” It is a memorable experience for everyone who attends.The three events this summer attracted interest from newspapers, TV and radio stations. In addition, we had two helicopters at the Roanoke waterpark capturing the event this summer. The Hawaiian Falls Ice Dump is a tradition we are confident will live on for years to come.

### Chosin Few Memorial Featured on Front Page of FDN

Aardvark Communications helped Dee Brown Inc. (DBI) spread the word about a new Chosin Few Memorial they built at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. The story was featured on the front page of Focus Daily News July 20, 2022:


https://etypeproductionstorage1.blob.core.windows.net/$web/Production_Prod/Jobs/121/2022-07-19/293227/PreProcessedPDF/fdn_289614_prep_20220719174439766.pdf

### Aardvark Communications Welcomes Rob Sumner to the Team

Aardvark Communications is proud to introduce Rob Sumner as Vice President, Director of Client Services.



Rob was most recently Account Service Director for the Miller Ad Agency of Dallas and Austin. He previously served as VP Regional Advertising Director for the Chevrolet Local Marketing Associations in the South Central Region; and was Marketing Director for luxury automotive group Park Place Dealerships.



Rob is a strong leader and an incredible strategist.

### "That's What I Like About Texas" Gets A Fresh, New Sound

You know we love any opportunity to have fun!







As the public relations agency for Texas Dairy Queen, we partnered with The LOOMIS Agency on a campaign they created to reveal a fresh new sound for DQ restaurants in Texas in celebration of their 75th anniversary in the Lone Star State.



One of the most recognizable jingles in Texas will debut with a fresh new sound June 13, 2022 with a surprise country artist on vocals. The iconic jingle for DQ restaurants in Texas, “That’s What I like about Texas,” brings two icons together for the launch of this unique interpretation. The catchy jingle has captured the hearts of Texans in the Lone Star State for 20 years.



So, who is this Texas country artist? Who is bold enough to take on this memorable tune? Mark your calendars for the big reveal at 9 a.m. CST on June 13th at dqtexas.com. The announcement also will be made at 11 a.m. on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

### D Magazine: Two North Texas Public Relations Firms Merge

Plano-based Aardvark Communications and Colleyville-based Miller Public Relations have merged. The two firms, which will operate as Aardvark Communications, were engaged in merger discussions for several months, Aardvark President David Alvey told D CEO.



“For the past 30 years, Aardvark Communications has been very successful in marketing and public relations,” Alvey said. “With advances in technology, the industry continues to change and evolve. We have been exploring opportunities to add services for our clients. The timing of this opportunity was perfect for both entities. We are excited about the expanded creative services, digital marketing, and social media expertise our new team members bring to our agency.”



Read full article

### Aardvark Communications and Miller Public Relations Announce Merger

Plano-based Aardvark Communications Inc. and Miller Public Relations of Colleyville have announced the two privately held companies have merged operations and teams. The deal was completed May 31. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The public relations and marketing firm will operate as Aardvark Communications.



Over the past three decades, Aardvark Communications has built an extraordinary reputation guiding clients through some of the most challenging events in our country’s history including 9-11, the stock market crash of 2008 and, most recently, a world-wide pandemic.



Founded and independently owned by Cyndi Miller, Miller Public Relations is a 27-year-old company that has primarily focused on serving the medical and wellness communities, including Mann Eye Institute (Houston & Austin); Carter Eye Center Dallas; and Collins Vision (Naples-Fort Myers). Miller will serve as a consultant to Aardvark Communications.



With the merger complete, Aardvark Communications has a team of experienced professionals offering clients a full range of strategic public relations and marketing capabilities, including full-service creative services; digital marketing; social media; event management; photo and video production and media services.



“This merger is a great opportunity for both our teams and clients,” said David Alvey, President and Founder of Aardvark Communications. “We have great diversity between our client mix and the services we provide. Our common goals and values and how we manage our relationships with clients, vendors, and the media made this a perfect fit. The team from Miller Public Relations is extremely talented and we’re looking forward to working with them and growing together.”



Founded in 1992, Aardvark Communications’ expertise is in real estate, restaurants, retail, attractions, automotive, consumer products, and non-profits. Aardvark’s clients include Park Place Dealerships; Hawaiian Falls Waterparks; Dee Brown, Inc.; Texas Dairy Queen Operators’ Council; Susser Bank; Urban Oil and Gas, City Center Fort Worth; City of Ennis, and Leukemia Texas among others. More information is available at aardvarktx.com.

### NBC 5 Talks to Park Place Dealerships Expert

Caleb Hernandez with Park Place Dealerships talked to Ben Russell at NBC 5 regarding the North Texas Auto Show as well as Electric Vehicles and how Park Place will take care of every client in this challenging market. Click here to see the full interview.

### Med Spa CEO Stephanie Ortiz

D CEO Magazine featured It's a Secret Med Spa CEO Stephanie Ortiz in the October 2021 special section on The Business of Beauty. Read the story.

### Hawaiian Falls celebrates 4th of July with extended hours

https://www.focusdailynews.com/celebrate-the-4th-of-july-at-hawaiian-falls-with-extended-hours

### The Secret is Out

Secret's Out about this Dallas med spa's new flagship in West Village

### North Texas car dealerships are reopening showrooms after receiving ‘essential’ designation

Originally Featured on The Dallas Morning News on April 21, 2020



Car dealerships in North Texas are reopening their showrooms this week under updated federal guidelines that made vehicle sales an essential service.



Dealers contacted by The Dallas Morning News said they’re also ready to offer staples like customer test drives.



On March 20, a week after shelter-in-place orders went into effect in Dallas County, the National Automobile Dealers Association took up the cause of getting auto sales deemed essential.



“These types of sales are not optional,” said association spokeswoman Juliet Guerra. “They are essential to ensure folks have access to transportation, and goods and supplies keep moving.”



Following successful lobbying efforts by the auto dealership industry, “sales” was added to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s definition of essential transportation and logistics businesses. Manufacturing, distribution, rental, leasing, repair and maintenance all had previously been considered essential.



Many dealerships have remained partially open in North Texas because they provide repairs and rentals. They moved the buying process online, delivered vehicles directly to homes and conducted "virtual test drives.”



But dealerships can’t support their businesses through online sales alone, said Bruce Thompson, owner of Plano-based CarOffer and a serial entrepreneur in the car dealership industry.



“It’s the second largest purchasing decision that a consumer will make outside of their home. So a lot of consumers want to go in and touch and feel. And that’s why we have showrooms today,” he said.



COVID-19 wrecked automakers’ first-quarter sales. Last week, new car sales plunged 57% year over year and used car sales fell 51%, according to Cox Automotive.



Ray Huffines, owner of Plano-based Huffines Auto Dealerships, said he’s had to trim expenses at his eight dealerships, including pay cuts for some employees. His dealerships employ more than 750 people.



“We didn’t lay off anybody and we didn’t furlough anybody because we wanted to keep our team together,” said Huffines, who also received a loan under the federal government’s Payroll Protection Program.



Huffines said customers should feel safe about visiting showrooms again.



“Showrooms are very large. There’s plenty of room for people to keep their distance. It’s not like a grocery store or a Home Depot,” he said.



“We were practicing all of the guidelines, even though we were not allowed to have walk-in showroom traffic.”



At Classic Mazda of Denton, general manager Rick Wick has stocked up on hand sanitizer stations, disinfectant wipes and optional masks for employees. He said cleaning crews come through the dealership every night.



“We're taking every single tool that's available to us to keep this as clean as we can,” Wick said.



Classic Mazda of Denton is also wrapping steering wheels and car seats with disposable plastic covers as well as misting the interior of vehicles with a disinfectant in between use and before delivering them to customers.



Park Place Dealerships Chief Operating Officer Tony Carimi said the loosening of restrictions will help customers who aren’t comfortable buying online or over the phone.



“The most important thing is meeting the client where they feel comfortable," Carimi said.



Park Place locations are following the most restrictive safety measures put in place by Texas counties, Carimi said. That means spreading out seating in waiting areas and at sales representatives’ desks. It’s also following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines on social distancing and checking employees’ temperatures at the start of the workday, he said.



“What we’re trying to do is our part in helping our community continue to move forward during these unprecedented times,” he said.

### Social distancing provides opportunities for marketing creativity

In these days of social distancing, the community can’t gather for events, so as a public relations and marketing firm we have to be a little more creative.



Long time Aardvark client, Park Place Dealerships, has a storied history of launching vehicles in fun and engaging ways. As coronavirus shut down gatherings, Aardvark was asked to help create a virtual “get together” to launch the new 2020 Land Rover Defender in a fun and engaging manner.



Working with Park Place’s experiential marketing director and the social media team, Aardvark Communications brought in Austin influencer, Amanda Tatom, to be the host of the virtual event. We tasked Candlelight Films to handle the work behind the camera while the Aardvark team oversaw the project, including writing the script.



The virtual get together included Rosedale Kitchen and Bar mixologist, Aaron Hernandez, demonstrating a step-by-step guide to create the “Landy,” a cocktail named after the new Land Rover. Executive Chef Janelle Reynolds will show us how to make Seared Halloumi with Tomato and Zucchini. Rosedale Kitchen and Bar has shared both recipes. Jaguar Land Rover North Austin revealed the much-anticipated new 2020 Land Rover Defender. 



Guests were invited to join the event on Park Place’s YouTube, Facebook, and IGTV channels.



Land Rover brought back its Defender this year after a 23-year hiatus. It has always had something of a cult following in the U.S. because it couldn’t be purchased here. The 2020 Defender is a rugged off-road vehicle, but it’s also a luxury SUV that’s equally at home on the urban streets of downtown Austin or deep in the back roads of the Hill Country. 




https://youtu.be/BAw5EXqo9Vs

### Celebrating 28 Years of Serving Clients

On April 1, 1992, David Alvey founded Aardvark Studios (later incorporated as Aardvark Communications, Inc.)







It was not coincidental that we registered our new business on April Fools’ Day.



Our goal was to build a company on the simple principles of honesty and integrity while delivering an exemplary product on time and on budget.







We are proud to say that 28 years later, Aardvark Communications is still operating under these principles.







We’ve weathered terrible storms over the years, like the aftermath of 9/11, the economic downturn of 2008, and the current pandemic. Despite these challenges, we’ve developed long-term relationships with many clients, team members and peers.



We don’t know what the future holds. But we know if we are honest and open in our communications, then we will not only survive together – we will thrive.

### Coronavirus Crisis Communications

Amid all the fear and uncertainty of coronavirus (COVID-19) employees and clients are looking for leadership. The barrage of news can be overwhelming - especially for small and medium-sized businesses.  While local governments, healthcare facilities, and large corporations have a team dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak, small to medium-sized businesses also need to be proactive in communicating with stakeholders.  Aardvark Communications has more than 25 years of crisis communications experience. We deliver results that help our clients create peace of mind for their employees and customers. If you need help, we can develop a plan and messaging for your stakeholders.

### Koenigsegg Dallas Delivers Koenigsegg Regera

Original story featured on thegentlemanracer.com



At a private event held in private jet hanger, Koenigsegg Dallas unveiled one of just 80 Koenigsegg Regera's in the world to owners Eddie and Laura Lee. Seeing a Regera is a rare treat, with so few being produced and even less being delivered in the USA the Swedish supercar will stand out when it is seen on the streets of Dallas. In the Swedish language, Regera means “to reign” or “to rule” and this 1,500 horsepower hypercar will certainly rule the road or on the track, rocketing effortlessly from 0-to-60 mph in 2.8 seconds… 0-to-249 mph in less than 20 seconds… making it the fastest-accelerating car in the world. It is electronically restricted to a maximum speed of 255 mph.







The Lee’s Regera is number 24 of 80… chassis number 168, which is a very fortunate set of numbers in Chinese culture. The number is believed to be lucky because in Cantonese it sounds similar to: “one path to prosperity.” The number one is “one.” Six represents “path.” And eight sounds like “Prosperity.”








"When I first got involved with Koenigsegg, I found out they number their chassis sequentially, the very first chassis was 01, the next 02, etc. My 2009 Koenigsegg CCXR is chassis number 62. I asked Koenigsegg what number my Regera chassis would be. When they told me it would be number 168, I shared the story of this set of lucky numbers. They made a very specialized logo for my car, which you’ll see on the exterior of my car. It really was meant to be." - Eddie Lee




With a curb weight (including all liquids and a full tank of gas) of about 3,500 pounds, the Regera offers an optional aero-pack for increased downforce to keep the lightweight supercar well-grounded, including an extended front splitter, carbon winglets along the sides and external aero-wings on the rear, in addition to the retractable and active rear wing. Utilizing a hybrid drivetrain unlike anything ever previously produced, it is powered by both a 5.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine and three electric motors for a total combined output of 1.11 megawatts. The unique single speed Koenigsegg Direct Drive unit allows the Regera to almost instantly reach maximum thrust.








"This Regera is such a special car because it’s really the vision of one man: Christian von Koenigsegg, Eddie’s Sweet Mandarin Pearl exterior with exposed carbon fiber is a great selection. We’re very proud of this car. We’re in a special period in time where these exceptional cars are being built in such limited volume, each car is a hand-crafted work of art. There will only be 80 Regeras in the entire world. And each one is different." -Park Place Premier Collection General Manager Heath Strayhan.








Koenigsegg’s exclusive Autoskin robotics allows the owner to open and close the front luggage door, the rear engine cover, and both passenger and driver doors by remote control. The car literally transforms at the touch of a button. The rear clamshell, which is a single piece of carbon fiber, lifts for fueling and engine access. The doors gracefully lift up and away for easy ingress and egress. The system uses lightweight hydraulics, soft close mechanisms and proximity sensors to operate the doors in an effortless and fluid motion that is as practical as it is breathtaking.







In addition to his CCXR and Regera, Eddie Lee has Koenigsegg’s latest creation on order: the Jesko, named for Jesko von Koenigsegg, the father of company founder and CEO Christian von Koenigsegg. Unveiled last year at the Geneva International Motor Show, and revealed in a private event in Dallas last summer, the Jesko takes everything Koenigsegg has developed to date and puts it into an even lighter, more powerful megacar. The Lee’s Jesko is scheduled to be delivered mid-2021.



Located at 5300 Lemmon Avenue near Love Field, Park Place Premier Collection features Koenigsegg Dallas, Rolls-Royce Motorcars Dallas, Bentley Dallas, Park Place Maserati and McLaren Dallas.

### A Story Worth Remembering

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2505160983076971



Aardvark Communications has been along for the ride with Isabella Alexus' story since day one, when she was born inside her mom's car at Park Place Lexus Plano. We were thrilled to help plan and execute her first birthday party at the dealership (and several others before the family moved out of state.) We were happy to see her story come full circle when Lexus' Corporate agency Team One recently shot a TV commercial at the Plano dealership. Isabella Alexus, you were certainly a beautiful baby... and, baby, look at you now!

### Why ESD rocks lacrosse

Episcopal School of Dallas (ESD) has an outstanding lacrosse program. The season kicked off this week for the men’s and women’s team. Aardvark Communications works with ESD to highlight the amazing talent on and off the field that attend the school.



Check out the full story on The Preston Hallow Lifestyle

### CITYROW Allen Grand Opening!

Aardvark's client, CITYROW is officially opening February 8th! Join us from 12 - 4 PM at 1314 West McDermott Drive, Suite 140 in Allen, TX for their grand opening celebration!

### 20th annual Dallas Stars Casino Night shatters record

The big night at Park Place Lexus Plano raised more than $400,000 for the Dallas Stars Foundation







Originally featured on NHL.com on January 25, 2019



More than 750 Dallas Stars fans filled the showrooms at Park Place Lexus Plano for the 20th Annual Dallas Stars Casino Night. The event raised $403,711 for the Dallas Stars Foundation, shattering last year's record for the most money ever raised in a single night for the charity. 



The Star-studded event featured the entire Stars hockey team serving as casino dealers, including players, coaches, play-by-play announcers, and front office staff.



"Our signature fundraising event was another smashing success," said Marty Turco, Dallas Stars Foundation President, former Stars goaltender and NHL All-Star. "Being at many of these great nights over the years, we experienced our best yet! Nothing beats our fans, sponsors, donors mingling with our players and staff. Always the best night of the year, we continue the tradition of having fun and making an enormous difference in the community. Our relationship with Park Place continues to be inspirational, we cannot thank them enough for their friendship and gratuitousness. The Dallas Stars Foundation and our community thanks and applauds everyone for their attendance and support this year." 



DJ S.O.U.L Jah entertained the crowd as fans bid on a selection of autographed memorabilia, including jerseys from current and former Dallas Stars players, as well as unique experience packages such as the opportunity to travel with the Stars team on a two game road trip. Guests enjoyed a delicious buffet from III Forks Steakhouse, Jack Daniel's Whiskey Tastings and a diamond bar provided by J. Patrick Diamonds, Inc. 



"We're very excited to be part of this outstanding achievement," said Jordan Case, Park Place Dealerships President. "Over the years, this event has grown into one of the highlights of our philanthropic program. I love walking through the dealership and hearing everyone laughing and having a good time. The Stars players, coaches and executives were all fully engaged with the fans. And the players seem to be having as much fun as our guests. We are very proud to be associated with the Dallas Stars Foundation. They have done so much over the past two decades to help kids throughout North Texas."



The Dallas Stars Foundation focuses its efforts on providing support to the children in the community through youth hockey programs, youth engagement, and health and education. More at DallasStars.com/Foundation.



Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place Dealerships employs more than 2,000 people and operates 16 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Lotus, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, McLaren, and Maserati. For more info, visit parkplace.com.

### NewsRadio 1080 KRLD AM interviewed Joy Cruse about the TeamConnor Cancer Foundation

Originally Featured on NewsRadio 1080 KRLD AM on January 24, 2020



DALLAS (KRLD) - The TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation is holding a workshop Saturday at indoor tennis courts at Lifetime Plano. The foundation is raising money for pediatric cancer research.



The foundation is named for Connor Cruse, who died in 2009 at eight years old, four years after being diagnosed with stage IV neuroblastoma.



"When I see my adult friends struggle with cancer, I know how difficult it is and how harsh the treatment is," says Joy Cruse, Connor's mom. "Just think of these little kids going through the same thing. Yet, the government, when they fund research for cancer, they give only three percent of their funding to childhood cancer research. Basically, we use drugs made for adults and hope they work well on children."



The foundation raises money for pediatric cancer research. The TeamConnor Foundation says cancer is the leading cause of death by disease for children under the age of 15 in the United States. The foundation says about 1,800 kids die from cancer in the United States each year.



"A lot of these kids, even if they survive cancer, have a lot of chronic illnesses later on in life, like heart problems and diabetes," Joy Cruse says. "They might get secondary cancers, which is what happened to Connor. He got a second cancer from his radiation treatment, and that was the cancer that took his life. We just need better treatments for these kids that are a lot less toxic and harmful."



Registration for "Smashing Childhood Cancer" begins at 12 p.m. Saturday at Lifetime Plano Indoor Tennis Courts. The first session of drills starts at 1 p.m., followed by a lunch and exhibition game at 3 and a second round of drills at 4 p.m.

### Dallas Patient Takes a Drive in a McLaren 720s with McLaren Dallas

https://www.youtube.com/embed/mBZMumEeYIw?autoplay=0&mute=0&controls=1&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aardvarktx.com&playsinline=1&show

Aardvark Communications worked with Park Place Dealerships, McLaren and Children’s Health to give a special 11-year-old boy an exclusive opportunity to experience the McLaren 720S. You don’t need a medical degree to see Cory was excited!


The story was also featured on NBC5 DFW on their Something good segment on Jan 15, 2020

https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/something-good/somethinggood-11-year-old-battling-heart-failure-gets-ride-of-a-lifetime/2292761

### New indoor-rowing studio pulls hot fitness trend north of Dallas

Originally Featured on Culture Map Dallas by Stephanie Allmon Merry on Jan 7, 2020



Move over, spin. Rowing is the hot new fitness trend, and a boutique rowing studio from New York has chosen the Dallas area for its Texas debut. CityRow will open on February 8 in Allen, at the intersection of McDermott and Alma roads.



The indoor-rowing studio delivers a high-intensity, low-impact, full-body workout for exercisers of all fitness levels, the company says.



“CityRow Allen will be an inviting destination for anyone who enjoys a community environment to get or stay in shape,” says studio owner David Regelean in a release. “CityRow truly is for all fitness levels. The individual determines how much strength and effort they put into the workout while having an instructor available to push them.”



Founded in New York in 2014, CityRow has gained national attention in magazines like Vogue and Shape, and has expanded to California, Michigan, Colorado, Florida, Oregon, Virginia, and now Texas.



Each workout pairs a personal instructor with rowing strength and mobility exercises in a 50-minute dynamic HIIT (high intensity interval training) class. The Allen studio will have 20 water-based rowing machines.



Every 50-minute class combines high intensity rowing intervals with weighted strength training on a mat.



Each stroke on the row machine uses 85 percent of the body's muscles, including legs, core, and arms, the company says. And it increases aerobic capacity and efficiency to burn calories while exerting less pressure on the body's joints than traditional cardio exercises, they say.



Although other studios like OrangeTheory Fitness have rowing classes and many gyms have rowing machines, gyms dedicated entirely to indoor rowing are starting to make waves in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Rowing is a rapidly growing fitness trend around the country; some even have called rowing the new spinning.



CityRow will open at 1314 W. McDermott Dr. #140 in Allen. For more information, schedule, and pricing, check out its website. 

### TeamConnor Event Raises Funds for Childhood Cancer

Tait Cruse; Managing Partner Northwestern Mutual Dallas and Mark Davis; Clay Shoot Honorary Chair



Originally Featured on DFW 501c Nonprofit Business Journal



TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation, located in Dallas, has shared their ninth annual Northwestern Mutual Clay Shoot was recently held at the Dallas Gun Club. The sold-out event raised $90,000 for childhood cancer research and programs implemented by TeamConnor.



Local media personality Mark Davis with 660-AM The Answer, and Randolph McGee, game warden and reality TV star from Lone Star Law, were guest speakers at the event.



TeamConnor has donated nearly $3 million to research institutions since it was founded in 2008, following the cancer diagnosis of four-year-old Connor Cruse of Frisco who lost his battle in 2009.



“Events such as this are important to bring awareness and raise critical funds for a disease that is taking the lives of our children,” said Tait Cruse, managing partner of Northwestern Mutual – Dallas. “This event aligns with Northwestern Mutual’s philanthropic commitment to provide funding for pediatric cancer research and resources needed to fight this disease. It’s an honor to have the community join us every year.”

### Fort Worth Star-Telegram Features Sundance Square

Fort Worth Star-Telegram Features Sundance Square

### Sundance Square lights 56-foot Christmas tree

Originally featured on ntxe-news.com on November 20, 2018



Just in time to treat your family and guests to unforgettable memories, Sundance Square kicked off the holiday season last weekend with the lighting of the 56-foot Blue Spruce Christmas tree at the heart of the plaza in downtown Fort Worth last weekend. The local musical theatre group Kids Who Care entertained a happy crowd that spilled out of the plaza onto surrounding sidewalks and streets.



Santa Claus brought his magical sleigh to the Sundance Square Plaza stage, and he’s ready for kids of all ages to tell him exactly what they want to see under their tree Christmas morning. There’s no waiting in long lines while the kids fidget and whine. Upon arriving in Sundance Square, simply send a text to check in at Santa’s Sleigh, then shop, eat, and have fun until it is time to see Santa.



Every year, proceeds from photos with Santa benefit the Fort Worth Sister Cities’ Youth Program. Visits with Santa are $20 (cash only), which includes a photo with Santa, who will be in Sundance Square thru December 23. Check www.sundancesquare.com for specific times.



The Sundance Square Plaza has been transformed into a sparkling winter wonderland with all new décor, including a dazzling, silver backdrop for Santa’s sleigh with wintry trees and crystal snowflakes. In addition to the beautiful Christmas tree, there are numerous backdrops in the plaza for photo opportunities.



Treasures await you around every corner in Sundance Square. On Friday, November 23, also known as “Black Friday,” national retailers such as H&M, Jos. A. Bank Clothiers, Loft, Overland Sheepskin Co., White House Black Market will be offering holiday deals.



November 24 is Small Business Saturday. Find the perfect gift for your “hard to shop for” person with unique offerings from the many boutiques and local specialty stores in Sundance Square like Earth Bones, Haltom’s Jewelers, Houston Street Toy Company, the Virgin Olive Oiler, Parts Unknown, Willow House and Yours Truly, among others.



Parking is always free in Sundance Square after 5 p.m. on weekdays. Before 5 p.m. parking is free with validation from a Sundance Square restaurant or retailer. Validation is good for 2.5 hours of dining or shopping, or four hours for weekday movies. Weekends are free all day and evening.



Guests can also valet park for free with a purchase from any Sundance Square merchant. Just look for the red umbrellas in 10 locations across Sundance Square. You can even drop your car off at one valet stand, then shop, eat, stroll and pick your car up at a different valet stand on the other side of Sundance Square. Just text the valet when you’re ready for your car and let them know where you want to pick it up.



HOLIDAY ENTERTAINMENT



Bass Hall will host a number of events, including the holiday classic “The Nutcracker” throughout the month of December, and a Mannheim Steamroller concert December 28.



Jubilee Theatre presents “The First Noel,” a musical that flashes back to Harlem in 1985. The play follows the story of Noel as a child and her desire for Christmas joy in a house where it has been unwelcome for years. This family-friendly production runs November 23 - December 23. More information and tickets at jubileetheatre.org.



Circle Theatre will present “Holiday Punch,” a holiday party with a twist, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, December 8. Details at circletheatre.com.



If you’re looking for something a bit funkier, Scat Jazz Lounge will kick off the holiday weekend with Johnny Reno on Thanksgiving night. Then, songstress Tatiana LadyMay Mayfield performs Friday, Nov. 23; Red Young & His Hot Horns light up the night Saturday, Nov. 24; and you can wrap up the weekend with the long running Black Dog Jam on Sunday night. More info at http://scatjazzlounge.com.



Sundance Square is a vibrant, award-winning entertainment district spanning 36 blocks in downtown Fort Worth. The multi-use development attracts more than 10 million visitors each year for dining, shopping, events, and performances. For more information visit sundancesquare.com or follow the business and entertainment development on Facebook.com/sundancesquare or Twitter @sundancesquare

### The Dallas Morning News Top 100 Places to Work

https://youtu.be/ZoWDL0Z3fXA

### Dallas Dealer Parties for Charity

While the event features cars sold by Park Place, it’s also meant to represent the good life.



Featured in Automotive News on Oct 20, 2019 written by Sarah Kominek



Charitable donations can make you feel good. Sometimes, they can even produce outsize returns.



As part of its third annual Luxury and Supercar Showcase — a high-end celebration of sheet metal and other fine things — Park Place Dealerships of Dallas donated a 2020 Lexus UX compact crossover for raffle. The contribution — a model that starts at $33,325 — delivered a big return: It raised $141,000 for the Baylor Scott & White foundation to support the medical center in Irving, Texas.



That's almost five times the amount raised at the first showcase, said Liz Shafton, marketing manager for Park Place and director of the event since its inception.



"It was really exciting we were able to grow so much," she said.



The showcase, held last month at the Four Seasons Resort and Club in Dallas, began in 2017 as Park Place's 30th anniversary celebration, said founder and CEO Ken Schnitzer.



Since then, Park Place has displayed more exotic vehicles — and more of them — each year for "people to associate the Park Place brand with the finest vehicles in the world," he said.



"In our industry, sometimes there's a sales event in honor of your anniversary," Schnitzer said. "We didn't want to do what the norm was."



The company has long celebrated its esteemed brands at public events and was highlighted in a Best Practices article months before the first showcase in 2017.



"It turned out to be a wonderful success, so we built on it and made it an annual event."



About 4,500 people attended this year's showcase, Schnitzer said, up from 2,500 at the first one.



Lifestyle event



Schnitzer founded Park Place starting with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership in 1987. Park Place also sells Lexus, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Bentley, Maserati, Rolls-Royce, McLaren and Karma vehicles at 16 dealerships across the state. Two more are set to open in Austin in 2020.



While the event features the vehicles sold by Park Place, with more than $100 million worth on display, it's also meant to represent the good life.



"It's not just about cars," Schnitzer said. "It's a lifestyle luxury event. It's about enjoying the beauty of the cars with fashion, food and live music. Just people creating memorable experiences that we hope translate into brand loyalty."



One of the highlights of the six-hour event, Shafton said, is a fashion show sponsored for the last two years by Highland Park Village shopping center in Dallas.



Attendees are encouraged to wear "sensible" shoes with "what they would wear to the Kentucky Derby, or for a stroll in beautiful gardens on a Sunday afternoon," Shafton said.



There's even a hat contest, with awards for winners. "It's a little more elevated than what you would typically see at your average car show."



Food, fun and more



A VIP lounge includes offerings from 20 Dallas-area restaurants and bars, Shafton said. "We have crafted cocktails from Tito's, Aviation American Gin, Maker's Mark and Don Julio Tequila."



Food and beverages are included for general attendees, including food trucks with ice cream as well as Brazilian, Asian and other cuisines.



"We also work really hard to do some great interactive things for the kiddos of all ages," Shafton said.



Kids can race Hot Wheels on a 60-foot track to try to win the toy car of their choice.



The showcase this year had two stages, indoors and outside, that featured various types of music to "fit the mood" throughout the day, Shafton said. The Dallas String Quartet performed earlier in the day, followed by local bands and DJs.



"There's a lot happening on both stages," Shafton said. "It's really meant to have a local and regional flair and build a musical crescendo throughout the day."



The group is really proud of how the showcase has grown, Shafton said.



"We've been able to celebrate in a really powerful and impactful way," she said. "There's so many enthusiasts in our region who have decided to come out and support [this effort].



We're just super excited to see where this could potentially take us 10 or 15 years from now."

### Park Place Porsche unveils new 911

Park Place Porsche recently unveiled the new 2020 Porsche 911 Carrera S in the Pavilion at the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas. It’s the eighth generation of an iconic sports car that has enchanted for more than a half-century—and the 2020 Porsche 911 shows no signs of letting off the accelerator.



Guests were revved up at the chance to meet and talk with the Park Place Motorsports Team, including Porsche drivers Patrick Long, Patrick Lindsey, Nick Boulle and Trent Hindman.



Artist Stephen Selzler painted a live rendition of a Porsche 911 while guests savored retro bites and high-octane cocktails. To celebrate the limitless opportunities of Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur’s customization and personalization, guests could request bespoke martinis as well as craft their own chocolate boxes with sweet temptations by Make Your Life Sweeter.



Porsche lovers may tell you there’s no reason to change anything -- the 911 is already nearly perfect. And the changes to the new 992 generation Porsche 911 Carrera S and Carrera 4S are subtle. From a glance, you probably wouldn’t notice the body is now almost entirely aluminum. And the fenders are slightly more flared to allow for a barely perceptible wider stance. The retractable rear spoiler is larger and wider, extending just above the taillights. It is fully integrated into the body when not deployed.



Starting at $94,400 ($104,700 for the all-wheel drive Carrera 4S) the new 911 features a twin-turbocharged and intercooled 3.0-liter flat-6 cylinder engine with aluminum block and heads. With an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic with manual shifting mode, it’s the first direct fuel injection 911. 



The base model 911 Carrera delivers 379 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque to go from zero to 60 mph in 4 seconds with a top speed of 190 mph. When equipped with the Sport Chrono Package, the benchmark drops to 3.8 seconds… and at 443 hp at 390 lb-ft torque, it’ll rocket from 0-to-60 in just 3.3 seconds.



Located at 6107 Lemmon Avenue near Love Field, Park Place Porsche Dallas is the only Porsche Exclusive dealer in Texas. Along with offering the largest Porsche inventory in the US, the dealership has been honored as a Porsche Premier dealer 19 times. Park Place’s newest Porsche dealership is located near DFW Airport, off Highway 114 at 1280 Texan Trail in Grapevine. 



Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place Dealerships employs more than 2,100 people and operates 17 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, McLaren, Karma, and Maserati. For more info, visit parkplace.com.

### Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase raises $141k for Baylor Scott & White Irving Foundation

Cindy Schamp, President of Baylor Scott & White Medical Center Irving; Janet Jensen, raffle winner of the 2020 Lexus UX; John Drake, President, Baylor Scott & White Irving Foundation; and Ken Schnitzer, founder and chairman of Park Place Dealerships.



Featured on Irving Weekly on Oct 10, 2019



On September 28, more than 4,500 people attended the 3rd annual Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase at the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas to experience rare cars, live music, trendy fashion, and refreshing food and beverages. The luxury lifestyle event raised $141,000 for Baylor Scott & White Irving Foundation.  



It was a fabulous day with great community support for a wonderful cause,” said Park Place Dealerships chairman Ken Schnitzer. “The proceeds from the raffle of a 2020 Lexus UX will go towards purchasing new imaging equipment for patients undergoing radiation therapy at Baylor Scott & White Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center – Irving.”



Janet Jensen of Irving won the new 2020 Lexus UX in the raffle drawing.



With more than $100 million worth of cars on display, the Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase featured the Park Place New Car Concours with the latest models from Rolls-Royce, Maserati, McLaren, Bentley, Karma, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Volvo, Jaguar, and Land Rover. The Club Car Expo, displayed on the 18th fairway, represented some of the best car clubs in North Texas.  The Collectors’ Concours, a juried showcase of rare classic, luxury, and supercars from private collectors, was featured on the 1st Fairway of the TPC Golf Course.



Renowned sculptor Brad Oldham, well known for the Traveling Man installation in Deep Ellum, and his partner Christy Coltrin designed and handcrafted the Spirit of Park Place awards for Best of Show, Chairman’s Award and Salesmanship Club Award winners.



Craig and Laura Hopkins of Dallas took “Best of Show” in the Collectors Concours for their 1936 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Special Roadster. 



“The supercharged Mercedes-Benz 500 K was delivered new to The Netherlands,” explained Craig Hopkins. “But the car's body was completely destroyed during World War II. An American soldier sent the wreckage home, where it sat unrepaired for many years. It made its way back to Europe decades later where a Danish baron performed the first restoration in the late 1980s. The car was the pride of his automobile museum for 20 years. In 2012 his collection was liquidated and the car came to Texas. The baron's work was replaced with coachwork by master fabricator Cass Nawrocki. It took seven years for marque expert Jim Friswold to fully restore the car. The rarity of the "long-tail" special roadster cannot be overstated. Of perhaps 25 to 30 created, only eight received the elegant covered-spare bodywork appearing on this car.”



Raymond Larson and his 1964 Aston Martin DB5 took home the Chairman’s Award, and the Salesmanship Club Award went to Greg Brendel for his 1963 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso.



Awards from Bachendorf’s were presented to Best in Class winners, as well as second place winners in each category, including: 



- American Classic 1st in Class: Ricardo Cabral, 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air



- American Classic 2nd in Class: Joseph Valenti, 1969 Mercury Cougar XR 7 Convertible



- American Vintage 1st in Class: Thomas Wilcox, 1934 Packard 1104 Coupe Roadster



- American Vintage 2nd in Class: Ray Kinney, 1937 Lincoln K Bachelor Coupe



- British Classic 1st in Class: Fred Cornwall, 1963 Rolls-Royce, Silver Cloud III



- British Classic 2nd in Class: Mike Harling, 1958 AC ACE



- British Modern 1st in Class: Aamer Agha, 2018 McLaren 720s



- British Modern 2nd in Class: Justin Keller, 2016 McLaren 675 LT



- Italian Classic 1st in Class: Randy Johnson, 1972 Ferrari Dino 246 GT



- Italian Classic 2nd in Class: Mark Wyant, 1993 Ferrari 512 TR



- Italian Modern 1st in Class: David Arbelaez, 2018 Lamborghini Huracan Spyder



- Italian Modern 2nd in Class: Dean Somes, 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C



- German Classic 1st in Class: Richard Morrow, 1961 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster



- German Classic 2nd in Class: Whitney Stark, 1956 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL



- German Modern 1st in Class: John Kobell, 1980 BMW M1



- German Modern 2nd in Class: Barry Fromberg, 1989 Porsche 930 Turbo



- Supercar 1st in Class: Barry Fromberg, 1991 Jaguar XJR-15



- Supercar 2nd in Class: Chris Bogard, 2019 Ford GT Supercar



- International 1st in Class: Josh Toby, 2006 Spyder C8



- International 2nd in Class: Jared Snow, 1998 Toyota Supra Turbo



In addition to the fabulous cars on display, guests enjoyed shopping and special experiences at several retail pop up stops in the Celebrity Cruises Captains Lounge inside the Porsche Pavilion, including Bachendorf’s, Jack Black, Cuvee Coffee, Alice + Olivia, St. John, Trina Turk, Theory, Perks & Provisions, Renegade Cigars and the City of Irving. 



Highland Park Village presented a runway fashion show produced by Jan Strimple Productions on the Million Air Stage.  Dallas’ Mad Hatter Shane Walker judged a Haute Hat Contest which featured some very creative automobile-inspired hats.



Some of DFW’s best restaurants were featured in the Allie Beth Allman – URBAN VIP Lounge, including The French Room, LAW, III Forks, Cool River, Dallas Chop House, Dallas Fish Market, Wild Salsa, Oven and Cellar, Wicked Butcher, Outlaw Tap Room, Kai, Toulouse, Whiskey Cake, Texas de Brazil, Princi Italia, CRU Wine and Food Bar, Pacific Table, Cork & Pig Tavern, Make Your Life Sweeter, and Carlton Provisions. 



There was something for everyone with the Mercedes-Benz Beer Garden, live music on the Lexus Live Stage, and a Kids Zone featuring drivable battery-powered mini cars, the North Texas Diecast Collectors Club’s 60-foot downhill Hot Wheels track, and a meet and greet with Mansfield Legacy Cheer Captain and teen racecar driver Kinzie Wilson.



Plans are already under discussion for a fourth annual Luxury & Supercar Showcase next fall. Details will be posted at luxurysupercarshowcase.com as they are available.



Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place Dealerships employs more than 2,100 people and operates 17 full-service dealerships. For more info, visit parkplace.com.

### Reata Restaurant Executive Chef James Gaines stops by Good Day Dallas

Originally featured on FOX 4 Good Day Dallas on September 23



Ingredients:



1 whole chicken (about 3 lbs) 6 chicken wings 6 chicken legs or thighs 6 cloves garlic 4 shallots 1 TBS whole black peppercorns 1 carrot 3-4 quarts water Kosher salt to taste  Freshly ground pepper to taste 2 avocados, peeled, seeded and sliced lengthwise into eighths 2 jalapeno peppers, stemmed, seeded, and minced 1/4 cups oil 6 fresh corn tortillas, cut into thin strips 2 cups (about 8 oz) grated Monterey jack cheese 1 lime, cut into sixths 1/2 bunch cilantro, stemmed for garnish



In a large, heavy, deep pan place the washed chicken and chicken pieces. Add the garlic, shallots, peppercorns, carrot and water.  The water should barely cover the chicken. Adjust the amount of water, if necessary.



Place the pan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. As the water begins to heat, skim any foam that rises to the surface and discard. When the water begins to boil, turn the heat down to a constant simmer. Continue skimming as necessary.



Place the cover of the pan slightly ajar and continue cooking for 1 1/2 hours.



Turn the heat off and let the chicken sit in the broth for 1/2 hour to cool.



When the chicken is cool enough to handle, pull the meat off the bones, discarding the skin and bones. There should be about 3 cups of meat. Set the meat aside in a covered container that can be heated at serving time.



Strain the broth and return it to a clean saucepan. 



Skim off any fat that has accumulated on the surface. There should be about 2 quarts of broth.



Season with salt and pepper.



At serving time, reheat the chicken.



Heat the broth to boiling and keep hot.



In a large skillet, heat the oil. When the oil is hot, add the tortilla strips and saute until crisp, turning them once or twice. Remove the strips and drain them on paper towels. (repeat if necessary)



Have all of the soup ingredients ready to assemble at serving time, as you will "build" each soup bowl individually.



In the bottom of the bowl, place 3/4 cup chicken meat. Arrange avocado slices around the meat. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup cheese, diced jalapeno and top with a wedge of lime. Ladle hot broth over all and place a handful of crispy tortilla strips in the center. Top with a garnish of cilantro leaves.



Serve at once.

### Bentley Bentayga Stetson Edition Is A Cowboy 'Hat' For One-Percenters

https://youtu.be/UUaRyipc86w




Originally Featured on Motor1.com on Sept. 20 2019 by Chris Bruce



The exterior colors take inspiration from famous cowboy hats.



The Bentley Bentayga V8 Stetson Special Edition adds a little Texas twang to this British luxury crossover. As a collaboration between the Bentley Dallas dealer and Stetson, this model has some special touches that make the already premium vehicle a little nicer.



The exterior of the Stetson Special Edition is available in three colors that evoke the shades available on the famous hats, and the company's logo appears on the rear roof pillar. White Sand aligns with the Silverbelly hue of the Stetson Open Road. Dark Cashmere fits with the Stetson Boss of the Plains, and Onyx black is similar to the Stetson black 100X El Presidente. 



Most of the interior is a two-tone combination of Camel beige and Saddle brown leather, and the upper backrests wear the Stetson logo. Dark brown leather accents add one more color to the mix, and wood trim introduces a little more visual texture. A Mulliner Stetson emblem is on the door sills as occupants enter the vehicle.



Bentley Dallas already has the Stetson Special Edition listed in its inventory and is charging $246,578 for the model. There's only one of them at the moment, but DuPont Registry reports that two more on the way arriving in October and November.



Prices for the V8 model start at $165,000, but options can rapidly cause that figure to increase. For example, when Motor1.com tested a Bentayga V8 Model in November 2018, it had a total cost of $243,325. 



The V8 Bentayga packs a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 making 542 horsepower and 568 pound-feet of torque. It runs through an eight-speed automatic.

### How Rising Temperatures In Urban Heat Islands Are Challenging And Inspiring Developers

Originally Featured on BISNOW on Sept, 8 2019



For two centuries scientists have known urban cities filled with growing populations, asphalt and dense buildings retain and emit more heat compared to rural areas.  



But in the past 10 years, scientists, developers and architects have more hurriedly chased mitigation strategies to curb this so-called heat island effect. 



“We’ve known about the heat island effect since back in 1818,” said Ladd Keith, an assistant professor of planning and the chair of Sustainable Built Environments at the University of Arizona College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture.



“The urban heat island effect is the impact the built environment has on temperature. We have known for quite awhile that urban areas with more buildings and urban surfaces and mechanical processes have a much higher temperature than the surrounding countryside, so that is something you can map out and you can see the higher temperatures [on the map] and it looks like an island.”



Ladd said the average temperature differentiation between urban and rural areas is 10 degrees Fahrenheit, with some of the hottest days of the year producing differentials of 22 degrees Fahrenheit between cities and rural areas. 



If this phenomenon has been around for two centuries, why should the urban real estate community pay attention to it now? The U.S. has been getting hotter since 1970, with the densely populated, asphalt-covered cities getting even hotter, Climate Central.org notes. In the summer of 2018, the World Meterological Organization issued a warning of extreme weather conditions, saying July 2018's heat had “widespread impacts on human health, agriculture, ecosystems and infrastructure.” It added that “cities are particularly vulnerable to such risks due to their high density of population and economic activities.”



GLHN Architects & Engineers mechanical engineer Henry Johnstone said he has been studying National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather data for the past four years and going over temperatures for the last three decades. 



“We can easily demonstrate that [the temperature] has been rising in the order of one-and-a-half degrees Fahrenheit every 10 years,” Johnstone said. 



Growing cities have made the issue even more pressing. 



“I think one of the big things is cities have gotten much larger as the population has grown in the United States and coupled with that is climate change,” Ladd said. “It you add a couple degrees of temperature from the hottest days of the year because of climate change, then it becomes something that health officials and urban planners are really starting to take note of because … it has so many impacts on the economy, public health, urban plans and landscapes.” 



It has only gotten worse since then. July 2019 set a new record for hottest month ever globally, according to the NOAA.



The issue raised enough concern for the Urban Land Institute to compile a report this summer called Scorched: Extreme Heat and Real Estate, in which researchers discuss heat island effect mitigation strategies for architects, urban planners and developers building in cities. 



“The real focus of the report is looking at the solutions that are being developed alongside recognizing the problem and the challenges of heat,” ULI Vice President of Urban Resilience Katharine Burgess said.



From the planting of trees and vegetation to the use of light-colored surfaces, building envelopes and canopies, the report highlights strategies that have already achieved effective heat mitigation in cities. 



The surprise fringe benefit? Many of these tools are considered good design and are being implemented anyway.



“We saw developers incorporating heat mitigation measures … through a sort of holistic placemaking approach, which can drive retail traffic,” Burgess said. “I think ultimately the designers and developers we interviewed use a range of best practices to deal with extreme heat.”



Several developments in the Southwest were highlighted in ULI’s study as poster children of heat mitigation.



In the middle of the desert, the University of Arizona campus raised the bar for constructing buildings capable of self-cooling with the campus' Environment and Natural Resources 2 building. 



The facility has no lobby and is instead situated around a courtyard where outdoor balconies covered in fin-like materials hang off each floor, providing shade to the courtyard and the pedestrian areas.



Architects and engineers frequently tour the building to look at heat-mitigation strategies and cooling concepts. The building's exterior alone reduced summer energy consumption by at least 40%, according to ULI. 



With the building centered around a courtyard, designers also eliminated excessive interior space that spurs redundant energy needs.   



“Probably the most sustainable thing we did with that building was make it a third smaller than it should have been, and the way we did that was we used outdoor space so the courtyard and the outdoor circulation balconies that are in the courtyard are the way people circulate through the building,” said Peter Dourlein, University of Arizona assistant vice president for planning, design and construction and campus architect.



A smaller building “means less space to maintain, so if you’re a developer … that is less materials to paint, less flooring to replace, less ceilings, less conditioning of the air,” Dourlein said. 



The building also incorporates vacancy sensors in its offices and low velocity underfloor air systems to promote cooling and energy consumption, Dourlein said. Plants strategically situated on each of the courtyard balconies also promote transpiration — a natural process that promotes cooling within the courtyard. 



But Dourlein admits not all of the cooling amenities inside ENR2 are cost-effective for developers.



“We are not going to flip our building. We are going to own it for its life, and so we do look at life-cycle costs where that may not be as [cost-effective] in a commercial setting outside of an institution where there is probably quite a bit more emphasis on upfront costs,” he said. 



“The building on the university campus we did a fair amount of work to analyze the cost-benefit analysis and over a 30-year life of the building it was a prudent investment, so it certainly demonstrates in the academic class of buildings that this was a worthwhile endeavor,” engineer Johnstone said.



“It was something in the order of $300/SF, [whereas] developers tend to be in the $200 to $250/SF range.”



While it may be harder to incorporate some of the higher-priced amenities on commercial buildings, experts see significant progress being made with the utilization of vegetation and trees.



“A real doable solutions is to plant more trees,” Dourlein said. "Trees sequester carbon and they provide shade.”



Trees are a major feature at Fort Worth’s Sundance Square Plaza, a former 2-acre parking lot transformed into an outdoor venue that serves as Fort Worth’s living room and a gathering place for residents and pedestrians Downtown.



ULI highlights the plaza’s implementation of tree-lined walkways and 32-foot mechanically operated shade umbrellas that offer nearly 6K SF of natural shade. These simple elements create a natural cooling effect in what was once a wide-open space, but any of the design elements' positive impact on the heat-island effect wasn't intentional. 



“When I first got the call from ULI, they used a lot of words that we really didn’t use,” Sundance Square CEO Johnny Campbell said. “We didn’t talk about the heat island effect, and the trapped and retained heat, as much in our development. It just happens that what we were trying to do was very congruent in terms of all of the things ULI was studying.”



And what Sundance Square Plaza was trying to do was keep pedestrians cool during scorching summer days, making it a more pleasant place to be. The tools they used — trees lining sidewalks and canopies — had a positive impact on the broader heat island effect in Fort Worth. 



“I was really excited that ULI found us and looked at this as an example. I thought it was a happy coincidence the developer's [initiative of] looking for a way to make a great place for people to do business lined up so neatly with the aims of ULI’s study about mitigating the heat island effect.”

### Park Place Dealerships: A Taste of the Showcase

Originally featured on The Flash List on Sept. 6 2019



The 3rd annual Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase, Dallas Fort Worth's premier luxury lifestyle and automotive event, will return this fall to the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, September 28, 2019.



"The community has come out in force to support this event the last two years", said Ken Schnitzer, Park Place Dealerships founder and chairman. "The third annual event will again showcase some of the most exotic and exciting vehicles that will please enthusiasts of all ages. What began three years ago as an engaging opportunity to celebrate our 30th anniversary has quickly turned into the foremost luxury lifestyle and automotive event in this region."















Park Place Dealerships represents some of the most coveted brands in the world including Rolls-Royce, Maserati, McLaren, Bentley, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Volvo, Land Rover, and Jaguar which will all be featured at the event.



In keeping with a true lifestyle event, Park Place will expand its fashion, food, and retail offerings within the Porsche Pavilion. There will be music performances on the Lexus Live Stage and beverages at The Mercedes-Benz Beer Garden on the lush Four Seasons TPC Championship golf course.



Within the event will be a juried Collectors' Concours featuring a diverse selection of rare supercars, luxury, sports, vintage, and classic cars from private collectors. The motoring festival also will include a Car Club Expo powered by Park Up Front as well as the beloved Kid's Zone.



Iconic luxury shopping and dining destination Highland Park Village will present a runway show produced by Jan Strimple Productions for the second year. The fashion show will feature looks from prestigious brands presented exclusively in the climate-controlled pavilion on the resort grounds, with retail pop-ups for guests to shop the day of the event.



Dallas' Mad Hatter Shane Walker will return to judge the 2019 Haute Hat Contest on The Million Air Stage with categories for stylish men and women. Guests are encouraged to pair a hat with their favorite resort-inspired ensemble.



Ranging from $25 - $50 for general admission and $100 for VIP All Access which includes the VIP Lounge with complimentary food and beverages from dozens of the area's finest restaurants, tickets are on sale at LuxurySupercarShowcase.com. VIP Tickets are limited and have sold out the previous two years.



In 2018, the top Collectors' Concours award winners were presented with the Spirit of Park Place hand-crafted sculpture by Dallas artist Brad Oldham:




Best of Show - 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB 6C



Chairman's Choice Award - 1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II



Salesmanship Club Award - 1980 BMW M1




Returning partners include the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas, VIP Lounge Sponsors Allie Beth Allman & Associates - A Berkshire Hathaway Affiliate|URBAN, Captain's Lounge Sponsor Celebrity Cruises, The City of Irving, Hill & Wilkinson, Hagerty, Event Architecture, AT&T Business, AVSD Productions, Digital 3 Printing, Fauxcades D´cor, Brad Oldham Sculpture, D Magazine and NBC 5.



Restaurants featured in the VIP Lounge include The French Room, LAW, III Forks, Cool River, Chop House Burger, Dallas Fish Market, Wild Salsa, Oven and Cellar, Outlaw Tap Room, Kai, Toulouse, Whiskey Cake, Texas de Brazil, Princi Italia, CRU Wine and Food Bar, Pacific Table, Cork & Pig Tavern, Make Your Life Sweeter, and Carlton Provisions.



Additional sponsors include Lilium Florals, Perks & Provisions, Promo Resources, Sunnyland Furniture, RideCentric, iDesignMeetings, Marquee Event Rentals, Bachendorf's, Jack Black, Maui Jim, Renegade Cigars, Tito's Vodka, Peroni Beer, Waste Management, GL Seamen, Ratcliff Financial Services, Garages of Texas, Thermal Printing, and MarineMax Yachts.



Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place Dealerships employs more than 2,000 people and operates 16 full-service dealerships in Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston.

### ESPN's College GameDay in Sundance Square

Aug 31, 2019







0 min read




ESPN's College GameDay in Sundance Square

### College football kicks off with all eyes on Fort Worth

Originally Featured on the Fort Worth Star Telegram on Aug 30, 2019







When nearly 2 million people tune in to ESPN’s “College GameDay” on Saturday, Fort Worth will be front and center.



The game between Oregon and Auburn will be played at AT&T Stadium, but Rece Davis, Lee Corso and crew will be in Sundance Square. That’s good for DFW sports fans, but it’s great for Fort Worth as the city looks to boost tourism and national attention.



“You can’t pay for the kind of free advertising ‘GameDay’ gives us,” said Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price.



“College GameDay” averaged 1.9 million viewers last year and it’s safe to assume that number will be the same or better for broadcasts this year. That’s priceless exposure, said Mitch Whitten, executive vice president for marketing and strategy for Visit Fort Worth.



Studies have shown most outsiders imagine Fort Worth as a much smaller city, between 30th and 40th in size — think Albuquerque, New Mexico, or Fresno, California — instead of as a top 20 city, larger than Seattle, Denver or San Francisco, Whitten said.



“There’s no question that nationally people associate Dallas-Fort Worth as one big area,” he said. “This helps us elevate Fort Worth as a city of its own.”



Cowtown welcomed 9.4 million people last year, some through conventions and others through traditional tourism. The hope is when people tune in for “GameDay” at 8 a.m.



Saturday shots of scenic Sundance Square, the skyline and footage from around town will pique curiosity about Fort Worth. Last year when ESPN visited TCU, traffic to Visit Fort Worth’s website shot up 200%, Whitten said. Ideally some of those who search for Fort Worth will be enticed to visit.



Most of what people will see Saturday is Sundance Square.



That’s thanks to a delegation that included the mayor and business leaders who convinced ESPN to shoot in Fort Worth nearly a decade ago. ESPN has been here for the Super Bowl, the College Football Playoff National Championship and two other “College GameDay” broadcasts.



“The area is a great melting pot of football fans with all the local colleges and high schools in the vicinity,” coordinating producer Drew Gallagher wrote in a statement. “Those fans had always provided great energy for the show. Combine that with the backdrop and the surrounding area, it is a location we love coming back to.”



It’s not clear how many will come downtown for “GameDay,” but Johnny Campbell, president and CEO of Sundance Square, said he expects “a few thousand.”



Visitors will shop and dine downtown, which is great for local businesses, he said.



Folks should also have an easy time getting around. There are a few street closures between 5 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday: Main Street will closed from Second to Fifth streets and Third and Fourth streets will be closed from Houston to Commerce streets. Parking is free in the Sundance Square garages.



Designers consulted with ESPN to get a feel for the best way for TV broadcasters to shoot out of Sundance, Campbell said. Instead of trucks, wires and satellites cluttering up the plaza or adjacent streets, fiber optics run to a nearby parking garage. That keeps the plaza pedestrian friendly, he said.



“People often ask whether that view down Main Street is real or a backdrop, which I think says a lot about our downtown,” Campbell said.

### Park Place Enhances Luxury And Supercar Showcase App

This article was originally featured on Park Cities People on August 26, 2019



Park Place Dealerships has released the 2019 Luxury & Supercar Showcase app with current information about the third annual premier lifestyle event on Sept. 28 at the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas. 



The app will provide up-to-date information about what to wear, when to arrive, where to park, live music schedules, meet and greets, maps of the event and more. The Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase app is free and available for download from the App Store.



“We introduced the app in the second year of the event and guests really embraced it,” said



Kaylie Hitch, marketing coordinator for Park Place Dealerships. “We spent the past year enhancing the offerings such as the schedule tab where users can now create a personal agenda of events to attend such as music performances on the outdoor Lexus Live Stage as well as the fashion show, hat contest, and awards presentation.”







Within the activity feed, guests can post and share photos in real-time leading up to and during the event. App users also will find information about retailers and sponsors participating in the Luxury & Supercar Showcase.



The vehicle directory on the 2019 Luxury & Supercar Showcase app also delivers information about the vehicles to be showcased in three distinctive areas including the Park Place New Car Concours, the Collectors’ Concours, and the Car Club Expo.



With hundreds of vehicles committed to participate, the app allows users to search through the different categories of vehicles.



Park Place New Car Concours will feature the latest models from every brand the dealership group represents including Rolls-Royce, Maserati, McLaren, Bentley, Karma, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Volvo, Jaguar, and Land Rover.



Collectors’ Concours is a juried showcase of rare classic, luxury, and supercars cars from private collectors on the 1st Fairway of the TPC.  A sampling of the 100+ cars includes: 




1916 Stutz Bearcat



1936 Pierce Arrow



1956 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL



1965 Corvette Stingray 



1966 Shelby GT350H Hertz Rent-a-Racer



1983 Ferrari 308 GTS




Club Car Expo will be displayed on the 18th fairway and represents some of the best car clubs in North Texas, including:




Mercedes-Benz Club of America



Lamborghini Club of Dallas



Porsche Club of America – Maverick Region



Corvette Legends of TX



McLaren Club



Jaguar Owners Association



Texas Shelby North Texas



Ferrari Club Dallas




Tickets for the event are available online and range from $25 to $50 for show field and general admission and $100 for a VIP all-access pass, which includes food and beverage tastings and access to the Celebrity Cruises Captain’s Lounge. VIP tickets have sold out the previous two years.



For more information, visit luxurysupercarshowcase.com.

### TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation Announces New Executive Director

Emily Allbright, Executive Director, TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation



TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation has named Emily Allbright as executive director. Allbright has nearly 20 years of experience working with charitable organizations. As the executive director, Allbright will be responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with donors and sponsors, managing event logistics, and developing grant proposals for TeamConnor.



“Emily comes to TeamConnor with a strong background in the non-profit sector,” said Joy Cruse, co-founder and board president of TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation.



“Even though cancer is the leading cause of death by disease among children, childhood cancer receives less than four percent of government funding for research. Therefore, it’s critical for non-profits like TeamConnor to fill the gap by funding more research so better treatment plans can be developed and we can find a cure for this dreadful disease. Emily will be integral in partnering with private donors as well as corporations who want to be make the difference in saving kids.” 



TeamConnor was founded in 2008 while Connor Cruse was in the midst of his four-year battle with neuroblastoma cancer. Connor lost his battle in 2009, but TeamConnor remains committed to fight for all children. Since its founding, TeamConnor has donated more than $2.6 million to hospitals across the country who are committed to childhood cancer research. 



“TeamConnor has a great reputation for being a strong voice in the childhood cancer domain,” said Allbright. “I want to build on that tradition as well as pursue donors and organizations that are not currently involved in the cause. No one wants to see a child go through barbaric treatments or endure years of suffering because of a lack of funding research.”



TeamConnor hosts several events throughout the year to raise funds and awareness for childhood cancer research, including the 9th Annual Northwestern Mutual Clay Shoot, November 4, 2019 and the 16th Annual III Forks Golf Classic, May 3 - 4, 2020.  In addition,



TeamConnor’s national program Coins for Kids with Cancer® raises funds in schools, churches, offices and organizations across the country to help fund childhood cancer research. More information on this program can be found at www.coinsforkidswithcancer.org.



Every year, more than 12,500 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer in the United States. TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness and funding research and treatment programs to find a cure for all childhood cancers.  



For more information on how to impact the lives of those affected by childhood cancer please visit teamconnor.orgor find us at Facebook.com/TeamConnor.

### The Winners of D CEO’s Nonprofit and Corporate Citizenship Awards 2019

Headington Companies’ Michael Tregoning spearheads a partnership with the Aging Mind Foundation, founded by Laree Hulshoff.



This excerpt was originally featured in D Magazine's The Winners of D CEO's Nonprofit and Corporate Citizenship Awards 2019 Article







Headington Companies



Corporate Partner of the Year



Corporate Citizenship Award



For the past five years, Headington Companies has partnered with Aging Mind Foundation to raise money for scientific research, specifically for Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias. Spearheaded by Headington President Michael Tregoning, the support has allowed the organization to fund more than $2.1 million in medical research projects at UT Southwestern, Baylor, and Center for Vital Longevity. The group has kept its fundraising costs below 20 percent, the gold standard in charity fundraising, ensuring that the majority of donations go straight to the cause. The partnership has also helped the group spread awareness about Alzheimer’s and other dementias and compel other North Texans to get involved with their mission. “To put it simply, Aging Mind Foundation would not exist without the Headington Companies partnership,” says Laree Hulshoff, the organization’s founder. “They are an incredible partner and give generously not only with their in-kind support, but also in ideas, attendance, and time.”



Finalists: Accenture, The Beck Group, Capital One, McKesson Corp.

### Park Place Adds Karma To Their Lineup

Originally featured on CarProUSA on August 7, 2019



Park Place Premier Collection, part of the Park Place Dealerships group, is welcoming Karma Dallas to its selection of luxury brands on Lemmon Avenue. Karma is a luxury electric carmaker based in Southern California. (Check out this Pininfarina-designed Karma GT coupe that will make its debut at Monterey Car Week.)



In Dallas, Park Place Dealerships, with 32 years of luxury automotive experience, joins one of a select group of Karma dealerships nationwide.



“Karma is an electric brand with their sights set on growing the luxury mobility experience,” said Ken Schnitzer, Chairman of Park Place Dealerships. “The release of the 2020 Revero GT luxury electric vehicle this year and then the all-new fully-electrified global platform in 2021 will appeal to our client base who enjoy impressive engineering and design. Dallas is one of only 18 Karma dealers across the United States and is poised to electrify high-performance drivers across Dallas/Fort Worth.”



By establishing Karma in the U.S., the world’s most demanding luxury market, Karma CEO Dr. Lance Zhou says he believes the company can succeed anywhere.



“To win in our luxury electric vehicle niche, it’s not enough to simply offer a great product and owner experience, we must also be sure we establish distribution points in the right places,” said Zhou. “By gradually expanding our presence this way I am confident our company – and our products – will be well prepared for the world’s discerning luxury buyer of the future.”



2019 Karma Revero



Karma Automotive currently offers the 2019 Revero, the ultimate plug-in hybrid sedan, at a starting price of $130,000. The Revero contains a 403-horsepower electric motor and a 235-horsepower generator to charge the mid-mounted lithium-ion battery. The solar roof of the Revero isn’t just for show. It was developed to charge the 12v battery as well as the high-voltage battery, adding to the electric range. Mother Nature will provide enough power for 500-1000 miles per year.



2020 Karma Revero GT



Later this year, Karma will start delivering the updated 2020 Revero GT. The GT offers similar capabilities as its predecessor, while boosting its electric driving range to 80 miles and extending to 380 miles with the highly efficient three-cylinder onboard generator.



Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase



If you want to see Karma for yourself, you can check it out at the 3rd Annual Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase on September 28, 2019. It will take place from 10 am – 4 pm at the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas in Las Colinas. Tickets start at $25 each and are available at LuxurySupercarShowcase.com. Children under two are free. The event benefits Baylor Scott & White Irving Foundation.

### 8th Annual Splash Out Childhood Cancer

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=394275784780018



The 8th annual Splash Out Childhood Cancer at Hawaiian Falls in The Colony Tx benefiting TeamConnor Cancer Foundation was a great success. You can still purchase discount waterpark tickets to any of the 5 Hawaiian Falls Waterparks the rest of the summer (good thru Labor Day) at http://splashoutcancer.org

### Dallas' Mad Hatter Shane Walker Returns to Judge Haute Hat Contest at Park Place LSCS

Originally Featured on The Flash List on June 20, 2019



Elegant ladies and dapper gents in stylish hats will be strolling around the lush grounds of the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas Saturday, September 28 during the 3rd annual Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase. Dallas' Mad Hatter Shane Walker will judge the Haute Hat contest again this year. Men and women will compete on the Million Air Stage inside the Porsche Pavilion to be selected for the most creative, stylish and outrageous hats.



"I was astonished by the creativity and participation of last year's Haute Hat contestants, said Shane Walker. I anticipate even more Dappers and Divas strutting their stuff this year."



Suggested attire for the day is Concours Casual, where guests are encouraged to pair a hat with their favorite resort-inspired ensemble while sporting comfortable shoes. Shane Walker Designs will have a Pop-Up store in the Porsche Pavilion where ladies and gents can purchase some of his uniquely designed hats.



Iconic luxury shopping and dining destination Highland Park Village will present a runway fashion show featuring looks from prestigious brands Alice + Olivia, St. John, Trina Turk, Theory, and MARKE in the climate-controlled Porsche Pavilion.



The Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase is more than incredible cars, it is a lifestyle event, said Liz Shafton, Experiential Marketing Director for Park Place Dealerships. In addition to fashion, guests will enjoy live music, pop up shops, and amazing food from premier restaurants and popular food trucks.



Restaurants featured in the VIP Lounge include The French Room, LAW, III Forks, Cool River, Chop House Burger, Dallas Fish Market, Wild Salsa, Oven and Cellar, Outlaw Tap Room, Kai, Toulouse, Whiskey Cake, Texas de Brazil, Princi Italia, CRU Wine and Food Bar, Pacific Table, Cork & Pig Tavern, Make Your Life Sweeter, and Carlton Provisions.



Within the event will be a juried Collectors' Concours, featuring a diverse selection of rare supercars, luxury, sports, vintage and classic cars from private collectors. The event also will include a Car Club Expo powered by Park Up Front as well as a Kid's Zone complete with drivable cars for the littlest enthusiast.



Returning partners include the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas, VIP Lounge Sponsors Allie Beth Allman & Associates – A Berkshire Hathaway Affiliate|URBAN, Captain's Lounge Sponsor Celebrity Cruises, The City of Irving, Hill & Wilkinson, Hagerty, Event Architecture, AT&T Business, AVSD Productions, Digital 3 Printing, Fauxcades Décor, Brad Oldham Sculpture, D Magazine, NBC 5 and CultureMap.



Additional sponsors include Lilium Florals, Perks & Provisions, Promo Resources, Sunnyland Furniture, RideCentric, iDesignMeetings, Marquee Event Rentals, Bachendorf's, Jack Black, Renegade Cigars, Tito's Vodka, Peroni Beer, Waste Management, GL Seamen, Ratcliff Financial Services, Garages of Texas, ExxonMobil, Thermal Printing and MarineMax Yachts.



The luxury lifestyle event benefits the Baylor Scott & White Irving Foundation. Park Place Dealerships has donated a 2020 Lexus UX to be raffled at the Park Place Luxury Supercar Showcase. Tickets for the raffle may be purchased online at irvingfoundation.bswhealth.com or by visiting Baylor Scott & White Irving Foundation at 1901 N. MacArthur Blvd. in Irving. Tickets are $100 each and participants need not be present to win. Proceeds will benefit Baylor Scott & White Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center – Irving.



Event tickets range from $25 - $50 for general admission and $100 for VIP All Access, which includes the VIP Lounge with complimentary food and beverages from dozens of the area's finest restaurants, tickets are on sale at LuxurySupercarShowcase.com. VIP Tickets are limited and have sold out the previous two years.



About Park Place Dealerships:



Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place Dealerships employs more than 2,000 people and operates 16 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, McLaren, and Maserati.

### 2019 Pininfarina GT Battista

Originally Featured in the Houston Chronicle on June 8, 2019



This newest king of the road comes to us from legendary Italian coachbuilder Pininfarina.



The 2019 Pininfarina Battista GT, named for the design house’s late founder, tops out at 217 mph and nails 0-62 mph in under 2 seconds.



The motivation — all 1,900 horsepower and 1,696 lb.-ft. of torque — comes from batteries, which give the $2.5 million supercar a range of up to 280 miles.



150 are slated to be made but Houstonians can take in this early example today at Toulouse Café, 4444 Westheimer Road between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m Nearly all of the 50 Battista GTs planned for North America are spoken for. This car’s being shipped back to Europe after its Houston appearance.

### New McLaren GT gets North American reveal in Dallas

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2252905288111657



"British carmaker McLaren Automotive revealed its new GT in Dallas earlier this month.



This GT, which is the company's latest grand-touring supercar, will lead a new series of cars for McLaren, joining its Sports, Super and Ultimate Series.



The comfort-focused, $210,000 V8 was designed with more cabin and luggage space — though speed was not sacrificed as the car tops out at 203 miles per hour. The new McLaren GT is set to hit the market later this year."



Originally Featured on Dallas Business Journal.



Video Produced by Aardvark Communications

### Headington Companies and Aging Mind Foundation Team Up Against Alzheimer’s

Left to Right: Jeny Bania, Vice President, PR & Brand Marketing Headington Companies; Michael Tregoning, President Headington Companies; Laree Hulshoff, Co-Founder Aging Mind Foundation



Originally Featured in D Magazine's Healthcare on June 3rd, 2019



With a huge boost from Headington Companies, the Aging Mind Foundation has raised over $2.5 million in the last five years for Alzheimer’s research. While the physical and emotional costs are invaluable, the financial burden of the disease is also growing. This year, 16 million Americans will provide 18.5 billion hours of unpaid care for those with Alzheimers and other dementias, valued at $234 billion. Over the next 40 years, the overall financial impact of the disease is expected to top $20 trillion.



Six million Americans currently battling Alzheimer’s disease, almost two-thirds of whom are women. While deaths from heart disease has decreased in recent years, Alheimer’s deats have increased 145 percent between 2000 and 2017. This year’s AMF gala was presented by The Joule Hotel and raised more than $720,000 for research for Yale University’s Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration and Repair program. The evening also features a patron party, an auction, and an after party.



AMF co-founder Laree Hulshoff saw the disease first hand when one of her closest friend’s husband began to deteriorate. “My girl friend married a man who was an incredible wrestler, in the army,  flew planes under radar in World War II. We watched a man with more muscles than you could count just melt,” she says. “It ruined her life and she died early.”



When the organization was looking for a place to host their fundraiser, connections led them to Headington Companies, whose hospitality, restaurants, and retail made a good match for the fundraiser.  “Aging Mind Foundation is a very active, philanthropic organization with a thoughtful audience,” said Jeny Bania, Vice President of PR & Brand Marketing for Headington Companies via release. “Aligning our brands with AMF has been a successful partnership for both entities that ultimately benefits the people impacted by Alzheimer’s.”

### Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase Kick Off Party at MarineMax

Park Place Dealerships recently held a Collectors Kickoff Party at the MarineMax Dallas Yacht Center on Lake Lewisville to launch the 3rd Annual Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase.



Dallas Fort Worth’s premier luxury lifestyle and automotive event will return to the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, September 28.



Guests were treated to a powerful lineup of luxury SUVs at the kickoff party that included the Rolls-Royce Culinan; the Bentley Bentayga; and the Maserati Levante. They also had the opportunity to board several luxury yachts at MarineMax, including the $1.5 million Galeon 500 Fly.



“The collectors were excited to hear this year’s Luxury and Supercar Showcase will be held entirely on the magnificent grounds of the Four Seasons TPC Championship golf course,” said Dave Evans, Chief Marketing Officer at Park Place Dealerships. “Our event is quickly growing into one of the foremost automotive celebrations in the Southwest. We are expecting a really distinctive selection of luxury, sports, vintage, classic and supercars from private collectors.”



In 2018, the top Collectors’ Concours award winners were presented with the “Spirit of Park Place” hand-crafted sculpture by Dallas artist Brad Oldham: 



• Best of Show - 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB 6C • Chairman’s Choice Award - 1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II • Salesmanship Club Award - 1980 BMW M1



In addition to the juried Collectors’ Concours, Park Place is inviting area Car Clubs to submit the best of their members’ cars for consideration in the Car Club Expo, powered by Park Up Front. Submissions for both the Collectors Concours and the Car Club Expo can be made online at LuxurySupercarShowcase.com



Representing some of the most coveted automobile brands in the world, Park Place will also feature some of the latest Rolls-Royce, Maserati, McLaren, Bentley, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Volvo, Land Rover, and Jaguar models at the event.



The Luxury Lifestyle event will also offer fashion, food and retail offerings within the Porsche Pavilion. There will be live music performances all day on the Lexus Live Stage and refreshing beverages in The Mercedes-Benz Beer Garden, all spread across the 1st and 18th fairways on the beautiful Four Seasons TPC Championship golf course. Offering something for everyone in the family, the popular Kid’s Zone will return this year, complete with drivable cars and games for the younger enthusiasts.



For the second consecutive year, Highland Park Village will present a runway fashion show and Dallas’ Mad Hatter Shane Walker will return to judge the 2019 Haute Hat Contest on The Million Air Stage.



Ranging from $25 - $50 for general admission and $100 for VIP All Access, (which includes the VIP Lounge with complimentary food and beverages from dozens of the area’s finest restaurants,) admission tickets are already on sale at LuxurySupercarShowcase.com. VIP All Access tickets are limited and have sold out each of the previous two years.



Returning partners include the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas; VIP Lounge Sponsors Allie Beth Allman & Associates – A Berkshire Hathaway Affiliate|URBAN; Captain’s Lounge Sponsor Celebrity Cruises; The City of Irving; Hill & Wilkinson; Hagerty; Event Architecture; AT&T Business; AVSD Productions; Digital 3 Printing; Fauxcades Décor; Brad Oldham Sculpture; D Magazine and NBC 5.



Restaurants featured in the VIP Lounge include The French Room; LAW; III Forks; Cool River; Chop House Burger; Dallas Fish Market; Wild Salsa; Oven and Cellar; Outlaw Tap Room; Kai; Toulouse; Whiskey Cake; Texas de Brazil; Princi Italia; CRU Wine and Food Bar; Pacific Table; Cork & Pig Tavern; Make Your Life Sweeter; and Carlton Provisions.



Additional sponsors include Lilium Florals, Perks & Provisions, Promo Resources, Sunnyland Furniture, RideCentric, iDesignMeetings, Marquee Event Rentals, Bachendorf’s, Jack Black, Maui Jim, Renegade Cigars, Tito’s Vodka, Peroni Beer, Waste Management, GL Seamen, Ratcliff Financial Services, Garages of Texas, Thermal Printing and MarineMax Yachts.



Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place Dealerships employs more than 2,000 people and operates 16 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, McLaren, and Maserati. For more info, visit parkplace.com

### Got $3 million? Sorry, these supercars are sold out

https://youtu.be/vMl70TEGaWw
Originally Featured In The Dallas Morning News on May 16, 2019



The $2.6 million Koenigsegg Agera RS and the $3 million Koenigsegg Jesko — two of the fastest cars in the world — were in Dallas Wednesday, the cars' only Texas stop on their worldwide tour.



The event was at the home of Ted and Shannon Skokos, Dallas philanthropists and car enthusiasts who are fans of the brand and have met Christian von Koenigsegg, who founded the Swedish company with a singular mission to create the perfect supercar.



































The Jesko was unveiled in March at the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show. It sold out an hour after it was unveiled, said Carolyn Alvey, a Koenigsegg spokeswoman who helped introduce these super-fast and very glitzy cars to Dallas. Only 125 Jeskos will be produced. 



The company will begin producing the Jesko at the end of 2020 and will make them at the rate of one per week.



The Agera RS, which was produced from 2015 to 2018, also sold out when it was introduced.



A Koenigsegg Agera RS set five world records for a production vehicle in 2017 in Nevada, including the highest top speed for a production vehicle (277.87 miles per hour) and the highest average speed achieved on a public road (284.55 mph).







A Koenigsegg Agera RS was produced from 2015 to 2018. (Smiley N. Pool/Staff Photographer)

### World’s Fastest Car Makes Pit Stop in Dallas

Originally Featured on Park Cities People on May 19, 2019



Two incredibly fast cars and the hybrid of all hybrids recently made a stop in Dallas on their world tours.



So exclusive, so popular, so rare are these vehicles, that they are only being shown in a few locations throughout the globe – with recent stops including a car collector’s home in Northwest Dallas and the Dallas Arboretum.



While in town, we got a chance to experience the Koenigsegg Agera RS, Jesko, and catch the reveal of a groundbreaking new take on the grand tourer by McLaren.











Per officials, the $2.8 million Koenigsegg Jesko has a 5.0 litre twin-turbo V8 engine that gets 1280 horsepower on standard gasoline and an expected top speed at 300 mph.



The Jesko travels from zero to 60 miles per hour in 2.5 seconds, making it one of the fastest cars in the world.



“There is a level of simplicity and humility to the design of these cars,” said Joachim Nordwall, Design Director of Koenigsegg. “That’s something that reflects the character of both Koenigsegg as a company and of our founder, Christian von Koenigsegg. Those same design ethos are also present in Jesko. It’s humble and assertive, but not angry.”



Only 125 Jeskos will be produced and have already sold out.











A predecessor to the Jesko, the $2.6 million Koenigsegg Agera RS broke the world record for land speed last year at 277.9 mph. The Agera RS moves from zero to 60 miles per hour in just 2.8 seconds.



After leaving Texas, the cars will travel to California and Canada before leaving North America.



At the Dallas Arboretum, McLaren Automotive and McLaren Dallas for the North American highlighted their newest vehicle; a hybrid that combined competition level performance with continent-crossing capability, all wrapped in a beautiful lightweight body – a new level of comfort and space paired with an agility never before seen in this segment.







The new McLaren GT (from $210,000) delivers classic Grand Tourer attributes of competition levels of performance and continent-crossing capability, yet is lighter, faster, more engaging and more usable.



Positioned alongside the established Sports, Super and Ultimate Series families, this is a new McLaren for a new audience and provides an alternative to existing products in an expanding market segment. In re-imagining, the spirit of traditional Grand Touring – long distance driving in comfort, at higher speeds and with room for luggage – McLaren has also redefined the modern GT ownership experience with a car that is lighter, faster and more engaging than existing products in the segment, with greater space, comfort, and usability.







At over 15 feet, the new McLaren is longer than any of the cars in the McLaren Sports or Super Series – total stowage capacity of 20.1 cubic feet with rear luggage bay accessed via front-hinged, full-length glazed rear tailgate, available electrically powered; room for bags as well as golf clubs or skis.



“The new McLaren GT combines competition levels of performance with continent-crossing capability, wrapped in a beautiful body and true to McLaren’s ethos of designing superlight cars with a clear weight advantage over rivals,” said Mike Flewitt, chief executive officer, McLaren Automotive. “Designed for distance, it provides the comfort and space expected of a Grand Tourer, but with a level of agility never experienced before in this segment. In short, this is a car that redefines the notion of a Grand Tourer in a way that only a McLaren could.”



Creating a new type of McLaren – and the first true Grand Tourer from the brand – saw the McLaren design team embracing the visual history of Grand Touring cars while remaining true to the philosophies that underpin all McLaren design.



The long, elegant exterior lines that are widely recognized as Grand Tourer design cues are executed in the new McLaren GT according to the aerodynamic principles that define every McLaren. The muscular rear fenders – another design trait commonplace in Grand Touring history – are an example of the form of every McLaren being true to its function, incorporating here the air intakes for the high-temperature radiators that cool the engine.



The performance statistics* speak for themselves: with a launch control function optimizing acceleration from a standing start, 0-60mph in 3.1 seconds, 0-124mph is dispatched in 9.0 seconds. The maximum speed of the McLaren GT is 203 mph.



Another defining element of the new McLaren GT – and arguably what will cement its position as the new segment leader – is its dynamic prowess. The suspension, steering, and brakes are all bespoke to the car and optimized to provide an outstanding Grand Touring driving experience, with inherent balance, responsiveness, and precision, yet better ride comfort, than any other McLaren.



The infotainment system developed for the new McLaren GT is the company’s most sophisticated to date. Among the fastest-operating in any car, it also features industry-standard HERE® navigation mapping and real-time traffic information.  The driver interface operates in a similar way to a smartphone and the seven-inch central touchscreen is used to select from vehicle functions such as satellite navigation, Bluetooth telephony, media streaming, and voice activation.



There will be 18 new Hybrid cars built between 2018 and 2025, and by the middle of the next decade, McLaren has promised to go hybrid across its entire range of cars.

### The Star in The Room

Grammy Award-winning artist Kirk Franklin celebrates the consistency in music and family



Kirk Franklin was raised in Fort Worth, Texas, and was adopted by his 64-year-old Aunt, Gertrude Franklin.



“I had a rough childhood,” says Franklin. “I didn’t know my mother or my father. I had a lot of abandonment issues. So, I got into a lot of trouble and didn’t do well in school. But Gertrude really believed in my musical gifts. So, from the time I was four I would take piano lessons once a week.”



Gertrude paid for his piano lessons by recycling aluminum cans and old newspapers.



“Unfortunately, Gertrude died before she heard any of the music that I recorded. So, she didn’t get a chance to see me get my life together. I kind of live with that ‘chasing the ghost’ type of energy in my life.”



Franklin organized "The Family" in 1992, forming a 17-voice choir with neighborhood friends and associates. Their debut album, “Kirk Franklin & The Family,” was released in 1993.



Eventually earning platinum album sales, it spent nearly two years on the Gospel music charts, as well as moving up the R&B and Pop charts.



It was the first gospel music album to sell over a million units.



The group released “Whatcha Lookin’ 4” in 1996, sealing Franklin’s stardom. The album was certified 2X Platinum, and earned Franklin his first Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album.



Since his debut in 1992, Franklin has received six platinum certifications on his albums, including the 3X Platinum “Gods Property,” which won him a second Grammy for Best Gospel Choir or Chorus Album.



Franklin has worked with a variety of artists over the years, including Cheryl “Salt” James of Salt-N-Pepa, Whitney Houston, Mary J. Blige, Bono, and TobyMac. The winner of more than 40 Stellar Awards, 16 Dove Awards and 14 GRAMMY Awards, Franklin states, “I really believe it happened because I am a firm believer in the message I preach.”



“One thing about music is that you can’t have a bunch of musicians playing what they want to play,” explained Franklin. “They have to play what the song demands. So, what you don’t want to feel is that everyone is playing different notes, because it’s not a melody… it’s not a nice harmony. And it doesn’t sound good, nor does it feel good. The star in the room is always the song.”



“What I love about Park Place is that the star in the room every time you go is always the client. You can tell that they have been rehearsing, that everybody’s playing the same note.”



“Park Place team members are committed every day to create an ownership experience that can’t be found anywhere else,” explains Dave Evans, Park Place Dealerships Chief Marketing Officer. “Our clients tell us fabulous stories about Park Place members who have gone above and beyond to make their experience memorable. We want people to think of Park Place as My Place.”



“Coming from a past where a lot of things in my childhood were very inconsistent, consistency has been something I have always strived for,” Franklin concludes.



“Park Place is ‘My Place’ because they make me feel like a classic soul.”

### Texas Serviceman Welcomed Home after Deployment

Park Place Lexus Grapevine embraces service tech and his family



https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/sg-serviceman-welcomed-home_dallas-fort-worth/139274



In April 2018, U.S. Army Reserve Sergeant Joseph Rasey left North Texas for a deployment to Kuwait, leaving behind his pregnant wife Megan and two toddlers. While Sgt. Rasey was deployed, Megan gave birth to their third child, Hannah, last August, while the two older girls Josie-Anna and Martha-Eden celebrated their first and third birthdays, respectively.



On April 30, 2019, Rasey resumed his job as a service technician at Park Place Lexus Grapevine. But Park Place did much more than just hold Rasey’s job for him. They took care of his family while he was deployed.



“Joseph is part of our Park Place family,” said Gary Venner, Park Place Lexus Grapevine general manager. “So that makes Megan and the girls family, too. I can’t imagine how much this family has sacrificed for him to go and serve our country. We’re very proud of him. And we’re glad he’s home safe. We’re very happy to have him back in the shop.”



Before Rasey deployed, Park Place held a going away party for him at the Grapevine dealership: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iw2cMLb9jsc



While Sgt. Rasey was deployed, Park Place Lexus Grapevine threw both girls a birthday party where the dealership gave them toys and books featuring their daddy’s voice so they could feel his presence while he was away. 



https://www.youtube.com/embed/-ADxqJEWgKs?autoplay=0&mute=0&controls=1&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aardvarktx.com&playsinline=1&showinfo=0&rel=0&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&enablejsapi=1&widgetid=1



“Park Place has proven they’re family,” said Joseph Rasey. “They took such loving care of my family while I was gone. There was never a question where I would work when I got back. Without doubt, Park Place is MY place.”



Sgt. Rasey just finished his third deployment. He also served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Korea. He was active duty for more than eight years before joining the U.S. Army Reserves.



Located at 901 East State Highway 114, off Minters Chapel Road, Park Place Lexus Grapevine is has been recognized as an Elite of Texas dealer 11 years in a row, and received a number one national ranking for customer satisfaction. In 2005, Park Place Lexus was the first automotive dealership to ever be awarded the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award.



Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place employs more than 2,000 people and operates 16 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, McLaren and Maserati. For more info, visit parkplace.com.

### Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation Has Raised More Than $30 Million Since 1991

The Hilton Anatole ballroom in Dallas will be transformed into “Margaritaville” for the Park Place Dealerships - Texas Rangers Triple Play Game Show Spectacular Sunday, May 5. This is the largest fundraiser of the yearfor the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation, which sponsors sports programs for kids across North Texas. Last year’s event raised nearly $750,000 for the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation. 



The event begins with a cocktail reception presented by Tequila Sheela at 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner, the program, and the game shows. Emily Jones and John Rhadigan of FOX Sports Southwest will serve as MC’s for the evening. To reserve tables or purchase individual tickets, contact the Foundation at (817) 273-5275 or go to texasrangers.com/tripleplay.



“This is one of our favorite charity events of the year,” said Neil Grossman, Chief Executive Officer of Park Place Dealerships. “It’s a lot of fun for everyone  and we are proud to be support the efforts of the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation. They have invested more than $30 million in our community to improve the lives of local children, including the creation of the Texas Rangers MLB Academy Sports Complex in Dallas which provides instruction for kids 6 – 18 years old.” 



The Park Place Dealerships - Texas Rangers Triple Play Game Show Spectacular features Texas Rangers players, coaches, broadcasters, and alumni. Fans enjoy unparalleled access to their favorite Rangers for autographs, photos and sharing their love of the game of baseball. 



The highlight of the evening is always when the Rangers players compete against each other in hilarious game shows.



This year’s competition will include the fan favorite Fielders Feud and a new entry Heads Up. The list of participants for each game will be announced at a later date. Fielders Feud pits Rangers Infielders against Outfielders in a game designed after the popular TV show “Family Feud.”  The players’ answers and the teasing banter between them is always entertaining. Their true personalities, as well as their competitive nature, really comes out.



Among the items available for bidding in the live and silent auctions are a road trip to Boston to see the Rangers play the Red Sox that includes transportation on the Texas team plane and dining with Hall of Fame pitching great Dennis Eckersley; a trip to the Dominican Republic with a tour of the Rangers’ new Baseball Academy; and special suite experiences for the Paul McCartney and Billy Joel concerts later this year at Globe Life Park in Arlington.



There will also be private hitting and pitching lessons with current Rangers players, and many other exclusive Rangers experiences, including the opportunity to watch a home game with Hall of Fame catcher Ivan Rodriguez from seats next to the first base dugout.



Park Place Dealerships is the title presenter of Triple Play, with other sponsors including FOX Sports Southwest, CBS11, TEXAS21, and 105.3 The FAN.

### Free Yoga, Zumba Classes In Fort Worth’s Sundance Square Are Back

Originally Featured on CBS DFW on April 24, 2019



Sundance Square in downtown Fort Worth will continue its annual tradition of yoga and zumba in the plaza this spring and summer. The free classes will be held every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. in the Sundance Square Plaza, Main Street between 3rd and 4th Street.



From newcomers to veterans, everyone is welcome, with no registration necessary. Participants are asked to bring their own mats and filled water bottles.



Dates for Yoga In The Plaza: Dates for Zumba In The Plaza:



April 27 May 04



May 11 May 18



May 25 June 01



June 08 June 15



June 22 June 29



July 06 July 13



July 20 July 27



August 03 August 10



August 17 August 24



August 31 September 07



September 14 September 21



September 28







In case of inclement weather, the instructor will make the call 30 minutes to one hour prior to the class start time to cancel the class.  If a class is cancelled, it will not be rescheduled and the next class will be held as listed.



Sundance Square is a vibrant, award-winning entertainment district spanning 36 blocks in downtown Fort Worth. The multi-use development attracts more than 10 million visitors each year for dining, shopping, events, and performances. For more information about Sundance Square, visit sundancesquare.com or follow the business and entertainment development on Facebook.com/sundancesquare, Instagram.com/sundancesquare or Twitter@sundancesquare.

### Park Place Dealerships supports Carroll Education Foundation Gala

Park Place Lexus Grapevine GM Gary Venner; Park Place Motorcars Grapevine GM Robert Hinkle; Carroll Education Foundation Chairman Kathy Talley; Carroll Education Foundation Director of Development Leighanne Christon; Park Place Jaguar-Land Rover Grapevine GM Matt Woolsey



Carroll Education Foundation (CEF) has been integral in supplementing funds for teachers and educators to bridge the gap between state funding and the needs of the teachers to provide a quality education to Dragon students. For the past 11 years, Park Place Dealerships has supported CEF and will be the presenting sponsor of the Carroll Education Foundation Gala next month.















With a theme of “A Night with Carroll Superstars,” the CEF Gala will be held Saturday, May 18 at The Bowden in Keller. The CISD Superstar Teachers will be revealed. The event is already 85% sold. More information is available at carrolleducationfoundation.org/annual-gala/















A kick-off reception was recently held at Park Place Motorcars Grapevine in conjunction with the launch of the all-new Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedan and the new GLE SUV.















Starting at a base price of $33,000, the sporty new A-Class is the entry-level luxury compact for today’s tech-savvy driver. With advanced voice recognition software, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the car responds to commands and requests much like the smart phones. Powered by a turbocharged inline 4-cyclinder engine that pumps out 188 horsepower, and driven by a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with manual shifting, this peppy sedan can go from 0-to-60 mph in about six seconds. But the A-class also offers extensive driver-assistance technology, including adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and many advanced safety features.



















The fourth-generation GLE, priced at $58,000, is king of the mid-sized SUVs. Standing tall on the new “Modular High Architecture” platform, the GLE looks great and performs even better. The GLE 350 offers a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four that cranks out 255 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, while the GLE 450 comes with a groundbreaking 48-volt 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with hybrid assist that cranks out 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. Both come with Mercedes’ nine-speed automatic transmission.















Both models also feature dual 12.3-inch screens mounted side by side on the dash, one for virtual gauges and the other for the infotainment touchscreen. Simply say, "Hey, Mercedes," and the new MBUX system's voice-command feature will respond to commands such as "Find the nearest restaurant," and it will set the destination in the navigation system. Say, “I’m cold,” and it'll raise the interior temperature. Like your smart phone, the more you use it the more it gets to know your preferences.















The Carroll Education Foundation’s mission is to build financial support from the community and corporate partners to ensure excellence in education for all students in CISD.



Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place Dealerships employs more than 2,000 people and operates 16 full-service dealerships in Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston. For more info, visit parkplace.com.

### Generous Dallas gala-goers keep Alzheimer's research top of mind

Article Written by Stephanie Allmon Merry for Dallas Culture Map on April 9, 2019



What: Aging Mind Foundation Gala



Where: The Joule



The 411: A who's who of Dallas philanthropists and supporters of the Aging Mind Foundation gathered on March 23 for the organization's fifth annual gala and gave generously from their hearts. The elegant evening raised over $720,000 to find the cause of Alzheimer’s and other dementias.



Presented by Headington Companies, The Joule and Forty Five Ten, the event kicked off with a cocktail reception followed by a seated dinner with special musical entertainment, a live auction, and after-party on the Joule Terrace.



Yvonne and Mayo Crum were recognized as the 2019 gala honorees. Sherwood Wagner served as the honorary chair, and Kathy Nelson as gala chair. Greg Creed, Yum! Brands CEO, acted as master of ceremonies and hosted the dinner.  



“Over 6 million Americans are currently battling Alzheimer’s disease and by 2050, that number is expected to increase to 14 million Americans,” said Laree Hulshoff, co-founder of Aging Mind Foundation. “The gala is our largest fundraiser of the year. This year, the event benefits Yale University’s Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration, and Repair program.”



Guests feasted on exquisite food and drinks created by The Joule culinary team, including roasted zucchini and spinach soup with whipped Parmesan cream and focaccia croutons; dry aged New York strip with ravioli, broccoli rabe, and green peppercorns; and limoncello mousse with a mélange of berries, and a fennel pollen cookie.



Guests bid competitively in a live auction of seven fabulous items: an ultimate staycation at the Joule Hotel; an exclusive golf experience and lunch at the Dallas National Golf Club with Cowboys legend Ed “Too Tall” Jones and former Dallas Maverick all-star Jason “Jet” Terry; a private hunt at Togo Island; a Palm Desert driving experience; a VIP Hollywood trip to attend a taping of Will & Grace; private wine tastings and tours of Jean-Charles Boisset Collection in Napa Valley and Delouch Vineyards in Russian River Valley; and an exclusive VIP dinner at AT&T Stadium for the 2019 NFL Season kickoff.



Country-songwriter singer Jay Allen entertained guests. Among his songs was “Blank Stares,” a viral hit on social media that he wrote and recorded in honor of his mother, who passed away from Alzheimer’s in February.



The evening concluded with a rooftop after-party on The Joule Terrace against a gorgeous Dallas night sky.



Since the founding in 2013 and with the backing of Michael Tregoning, president of Headington Companies, the Aging Mind Foundation has raised over $2 million to fund high-quality brain research. 



Who: John Clutts, Martha Wyly Miller, Sami Arslanlar, Jonika Nix, Carey Moen, Alana Sada, Adrian Sada, Kiki Pennington, Shandi Hudson, Katy Avrea, Sanders Avrea, Cara Owens, Gary Owens, Stacy Nutkis, Mark Hiduke, Heather ArDeel, Kathy Nelson, Ben Fischer, Barbara Daseke, Dan Hagood, MiChel Hagood, Kara Goss, andRandall Goss.

### Behind the Scenes: DFW Auto Show Media Day

A press conference, when done right, can be a very effective way to convey company information. In addition to a spokesperson explaining the finer details of a new product, service, or event, it gives the client the opportunity to build relationships with key media representatives.



Park Place Dealerships hosted a press conference at the 2019 DFW Auto Show to announce it will open its first dealership in Austin, talk about a new marketing campaign, as well as showcase their new mobile experience unit. Hesham Elgaghil, Chief Strategy Officer for Park Place Dealerships, spoke with approximately 50 media representatives.



Here at Aardvark Communications, we have more than two decades of experience planning successful press events for our clients. Below are a few tips we have learned to plan a successful press event.



Make sure you have something newsworthy to share



The first question you should ask: Does the information warrant a press conference? Your news must be compelling and topical to the audience.



For example, during the Park Place press event at the Auto Show, they shared information about a new Jaguar/Land Rover Dealership opening in North Austin, the Luxury and Supercar Showcase at the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas in Las Colinas, a new marketing strategy and a new mobile marketing unit the company launched. The audience was a large group of automotive writers looking for interesting stories.  



Pick a good background



Aardvark communications recommends having a background that reflects your organizations image so that a tight or wide shot of the spokesperson(s) will clearly showcase the companies branding. The background for the Park Place press event was the brand new mobile marketing unit, which they will set up at local events to showcase the brands and vehicles that they offer.



Get the media to show up



You should always send out a media advisory to your contacts via email including the date, time, and location of the press event. For the past few months we have been sending a media advisory to our contacts in the media about the event to let them know about the Park Place Press Conference at the DFW Auto Show. After the show we answered questions from the media, as well as providing them with hard copies of the latest Park Place press releases.



Take Photos



After your press event, showcase the event with photos. In addition to promoting your event on all your own assets, you want to be sure to send photos to any media who were unable to attend your event.



The end of the press confrence is not the end to your work



After the questions are over and members of the media have left there is still work to be done. You should always send out a press release for your event, or multiple depending on the information that you shared. It is possible that the best results come from media that did not come to the event, but received the press release(s) and they may request photos or an interview about the announcement.  



Aardvark Communications is dedicated to meeting the unique needs of each client. Since 1992, we've developed and implemented innovative and successful public relations and marketing programs for a broad range of clients. We measure our accomplishments by our clients' success.  When companies want their stories told, they turn to Aardvark Communications for creativity and results.​ For more info, visit Aardvarktx.com

### 5th Annual Aging Mind Foundation Gala Raises More Than $700,000

DALLAS (April 8, 2019) –The 5thAnnual Aging Mind Foundation Gala was held at The Joule Dallas and raised over $720,000 to find the cause of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Presented by Headington Companies, The Joule and Forty Five Ten, the event kicked off with a cocktail reception followed by a seated dinner with special entertainment by country music singer Jay Allen, a live auction and after party on the Joule Terrace.



Yvonne and Mayo Crumwere honored as the 2019 Gala Honorees. Sherwood Wagnerserved as the Honorary Chair and Kathy Nelsonas Gala Chair. Greg Creed, Yum! Brands CEO, acted as Master of Ceremonies and hosted the dinner.



“Over six million Americans are currently battling Alzheimer’s disease and by 2050, that number is expected to increase to 14 million Americans,” said Laree Hulshoff, co-founder of Aging Mind Foundation. “The Gala is our largest fundraiser of the year and since 2013, Aging Mind Foundation has raised more than $2 million to fund high-quality brain research. This year, the event benefits Yale University’s Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration and Repair program.”



Guests were treated to exquisite food and drinks created by The Joule culinary team including roasted zucchini and spinach soup with whipped parmesan cream and focaccia croutons; dry aged New York strip with ravioli, broccoli rabe and green peppercorns; and limoncello mousse with a mélange of berries, and a polen fennel cookie.



The Aging Mind live auction gave guests the opportunity to bid on seven fabulous items such as an ultimate staycation at the Joule Hotel; an exclusive golf experience and lunch at the Dallas National Golf Club with Cowboys legend Ed “Too Tall” Jones and former Dallas Maverick all-star Jason “Jet” Terry; a private hunt at Togo Island; a Palm Desert driving experience; a VIP Hollywood trip to attend a taping of “Will & Grace;” private wine tastings and tours of Jean-Charles Boisset Collection in Napa Valley and Delouch Vineyards in Russian River Valley; and an exclusive VIP dinner at AT&T Stadium for the 2019 NFL Season kickoff.



Country singer Jay Allenentertained guests. Among his songs, Allen sang “Blank Stares,” a song he recently wrote and recorded in honor of his mother, who passed away from Alzheimer’s in February.



The evening concluded with a rooftop after-party on The Joule Terrace with the rich elements of the Dallas night sky.



The Joule Hotel was the presenting sponsor for the Aging Mind Gala. Additional sponsors included Headington Companies, Forty Five Ten, Mirador, The Spa at the Joule, CBD Provisions, Midnight Rambler, Wheelhouse, Sassetta, Maestro Dobel Tequila, Genevieve Gurchak, Pogo’s, PaperCity, Heritage Auctions, Thermal Club, BMW Performance Driving School, Jean Charles Boisset Collection in Napa Valley, Raymond Vineyards, Buena Vista Winery, Elleco Construction, Newt Walker Company, Vitro, Home Health Companions, Harbor Chase and Long Cove.



Since the founding in 2013 and with the backing of Michael Tregoning, President of Headington Companies, the Aging Mind Foundation has raised over $2 million to fund high-quality brain research. Alzheimer’s is the fifth leading cause of death for those 65 and older and one of the most expensive diseases in the nation. There is currently no way to prevent, cure or even slow its progression. Aging Mind Foundation is dedicated to supporting research designed to find the cause of the dementias.



For more information on these events and the Aging Mind Foundation, please visit AgingMindFoundation.orgor Facebook.com/AgingMindFoundation.

### Roots Run Deep: How the Intersection of Education and Sports Forever Changed Two Local Men's Lives

The intersection of education and sports forever changed two local men’s lives



Dr. Nate Hearne grew up in poverty: one of eight children living in a small three-room house that lacked indoor plumbing. His mother worked as a domestic helper and his father a gas station attendant in a small West Texas town. He struggled with trust issues. But he left a lasting legacy on many young people along the way.



“I grew up wearing hand-me-down clothes with patches sewn on them,” says Dr. Hearne.  “I hated elementary school. I wanted to quit. But when I started seventh grade, I had a science teacher, Mr. Clyde Hague, who greeted me every day with a smile, a firm handshake, and an encouraging word. Because of his affirmations in the classroom, I came to a self-awareness that those C’s and D’s I made in elementary school were not an indication of my intelligence.”



Dr. Hearne met another strong influencer when he tried out for seventh grade football.



“Because of my football coach, Mark Wallace, who affirmed me on the field every day, I came to the awareness that those clothes with patches on them and holes in my shoes were not indications of who I was going to be.”



Hearne went from being a kid who hated school to wanting to be a coach and a science teacher. 



“Those men saved my life.  I continued making good grades. I went to high school and made the honor roll. I attended college on an academic scholarship.  I coached football and taught science for 25 years. And the only reason I went into teaching and coaching was to live out those two men’s legacies. Every athlete that I coached, I wanted to give him that big Coach Wallace hug and tell them, ‘I knew you could do it.’ I wanted to affirm every student that came into my classroom as Mr. Hague had done for me.’’



Dr. Hearne was an assistant coach in the Permian High School football program when they won six State Championships. In 1988, an author followed Permian through their football season and wrote “Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, and A Dream,” which made the New York Times “Top Ten Bestsellers” List. In 2004, the film was released. A few years later the television show became an Emmy-Award winning series.



“When my book, “Friday Night Lights: Untold Stories from Behind the Lights” was released, many former students reconnected with me,” said Dr. Hearne. “One of those students was Tony Carimi. I was his basketball coach when he was a 16-year-old high school sophomore. Recently, Tony invited me to speak at the annual executive leadership meeting for his company, Park Place Dealerships, and we reminisced about the good ol’ days.”



Today, Tony Carimi is the Chief Operating Officer at Irving–based Park Place Dealerships.



“Coach, do you remember that conditioning drill you had us do called snakes?” Carimi asked. “I said, “Yes, I definitely do.”



For this drill players would run out of the main gym and up into the stands. They would run up and down the stairs, snaking their way through the stands, across all the stands. And they’d have to do this before practice even began.



“Tony could run those snakes drill all day and never break a sweat. He ran his hardest and never quit… never slowed down. I remember one day hearing the upper classmen berating Tony.”



“Carimi, slow down. You’re making the rest of us look bad, if you don’t slow down we’re going to get you after practice,” his teammate said. 



“I blew the whistle to end the conditioning, and called Tony over. I looked him in the eye. ‘Carimi, don’t you EVER let anyone else dictate your behavior on this team. You have been blessed with a special gift, and I want you to use that gift every single day,’ I told him.”



“You have individuals and experiences that leave an everlasting impression on your life,” remembers Carimi.  “Coach taught me valuable leadership and character qualities.  He invested in cultivating and growing not only great athletes but even better humans.  He personally helped maximize my potential for the short-term goal of winning a game, while planting seeds to help maximize my potential in the larger game of life.” 



Dr. Hearne and Carimi recently teamed up to make a dream come true for Dr. Hearne’s wife, Callie.



“I wanted to do something special for my wife’s birthday,” recalls Dr. Hearne. “As I drove by the Park Place Motorcars store in Arlington one day, I remembered how Callie always dreamed of driving a Mercedes-Benz. But I absolutely hate the car buying experience. It’s just hard for me to trust.”



Park Place has just the right touch with its “One Touch” solution, providing clients with a single person to walk them through the entire purchasing process. This allows the sales associate and client to build trust to help with all of the client’s needs. 



Dr. Hearne remembered Tony was in upper management at Park Place and gave him a call.  Carimi said, ‘Coach, don’t worry about it. Call your wife and have her meet you at the dealership.’ 



“When she sat in the car, I asked how she liked it, said Hearne. “Of course, she said she loved it. And then I told her it was hers. Even the receptionist was crying. It was a magical moment.” 



“For me, it is an honor to be part of something so special in his life,” said Carimi.  “To help Dr. Hearne purchase Callie’s dream car was a role that was decades in the making. For me to be a member of an organization that reflects the constant striving for excellence that he helped impress upon me as a young man, brings the story full circle.  Through my role at Park Place, combined with the relationship I have had with Dr. Hearne for more than 30 years, I was able to leave an impression on his life.” 



“My wife and I had never been treated with such respect and professionalism before in the car buying experience,” concluded Dr. Hearne. “Park Place is ‘My Place’ because it’s all about the service.” 



“It is more than just games won or transactions that business creates,” said Carimi. “To know that Dr. Hearne is able to look in his rearview mirror as he leaves our dealership and say, ”wow,” makes all of those snake drills worth it!”



Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place employs more than 2,000 people. For more info, visit parkplace.com.

### Flying High: Episcopal School Of Dallas Celebrates 12 Eagle Scouts

Episcopal School of Dallas Eagle Scouts (Courtesy: Amanda Neuhoff)



Originally featured on CBS 11 News DFW on April 1, 2019



A dozen Episcopal School of Dallas seniors have earned the rank of Eagle Scout, many spending most of their scouting career together in the same troop.



The achievement by the 12 boys translates to nearly one out of every four boys in ESD’s Class of 2019 earning the rank.



According to the Boy Scouts, approximately six percent of all scouts go on to achieve this prestigious honor.



Will Beck, Reece Breaux, Trey Brooks, John Carrie, Miles Cavitt, William Greening, Luke Logan, Jackson Mechem, Scott Neuhoff, Cooper Newsom, Luke Stanford, and Christopher Talbot gave more than 1,100 hours of service to the community, according to ESD.



Eagle Scout is the highest achievement or rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America.



In order to earn the rank of Eagle Scout, these students completed all of the qualifications such as earning a specified number of merit badges, providing references, and completing a service project.



“During the project, I learned to adapt when things go wrong. The project gave me a chance to use the leadership skills I had learned through my years in scouting,” said one Eagle Scout who volunteered at Operation Kindness, the largest no-kill animal shelter in North Texas.



“Completing my project had been a goal that I set for myself when I first became a Scout,” said another, who volunteered at Cornerstone Crossroads Academy. “The reason I chose the project I did was because cars had been causing damage to the school’s sports field and surrounding walking track as well as posing a threat to the students. I’m proud that I was able to combat this issue and make a difference for such a fantastic and deserving school.”



“It was a very rewarding experience being able to help others by building something with our hands. This experience allowed me to organize and lead my peers which was invaluable to my Boy Scout experience,” said another.



Celebrities that attained the Eagle Scout rank include Neil Armstrong, Jim Lovell, Steven Spielberg, James Brady, Steve Fossett, Willie Banks, Dan Reynolds, James Valentine, Gerald Ford, Rick Perry and Rex Tillerson.



PROJECTS COMPLETED BY ESD STUDENTS:



Will Beck



Will organized and led a crew of scouts to build two elevated 32-cubic-foot flower beds for the 5th-grade middle school science teacher and students of The Episcopal School of Dallas, making it possible for each science class to have their own bed.



Reece Breaux



Reece led a team of volunteers in building an animal therapy ramp and a raised, wooden platform for an outdoor storage unit in the physical therapy area for animals at Operation Kindness. These enable the physical therapist to spend more time treating more animals, which increases adoptions.



Trey Brooks



Trey designed and led a team to build a 25-foot bridge in Harry Moss Park for DORBA (Dallas Off Road Bicycle Association). DORBA relies on volunteers to maintain and repair the biking trails in and around Dallas.



John Carrie



John built a secure perimeter for a playground for Cornerstone Crossroads Academy, a south Dallas high school for at-risk students. He did so by burying guardrail posts and running heavy wire between the posts, allowing the field to be protected from vehicular traffic.



Miles Cavitt



Miles designed and led a team of volunteers to build a bridge for pedestrians and small service vehicles at the Tulsa Boys Home. The bridge connects the ball fields to their campus.



William Greening



William redesigned the sandbox on the Mi Escuelita playground. He led a crew of volunteers in demolishing the old, unsafe sandbox and building the new sandbox for the children to enjoy. Mi Escuelita avoided fines as a result of his project.



Luke Logan



Luke helped North Dallas Young Life address their issue of unorganized inventory by designing and directing volunteers to build shelves for their regional office.



Jackson Mechem



Jackson installed a bike repair station on the newest section of the Northaven Trail which will connect I-35 and Central Expressway with a walking/bike trail.



Scott Neuhoff



Scott designed, procured materials, and led a team of scouts to construct 10 cornhole boards for The Episcopal School of Dallas. These games are used to promote community and to improve Lower School students’ motor skills.



Cooper Newsom



Cooper organized a team of scouts to make and install environmentally safe, non-toxic garden boxes for The da Vinci School, a LEED gold certified preschool in Dallas. The garden boxes compliment da Vinci’s outdoor environment and its focus on science and sensory exploration.



Luke Stanford



Luke designed and led a crew of scouts to build planter boxes for the Pre-Kindergarten classes at The Episcopal School of Dallas. The boxes became part of the outdoor exploration area, providing a space for young children to garden.



Christopher Talbot



Christopher designed and led a crew of volunteers to construct a path adjacent to the quarry at The Episcopal School of Dallas. This path is used for outdoor education classes and provides easy access to nearby wetlands

### David Alvey, Discusses TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation on the 94.9 KLTY Morning Show



### McLaren Dallas Deliver’s Million Dollar Senna

Josh Snowhorn Taking His New McLaren Senna Around The Track At The Circuit Of The Americas

Originally featured on Park Place News

McLaren Dallas recently delivered a McLaren Senna valued at more than $1 million to long-time client Josh Snowhorn at a private reception at Park Place Premier Collection on Lemmon Avenue.

“I was born into cars,” says Snowhorn. “In 1970 my Dad picked me up from the hospital in an Aston-Martin DB5 Vantage – the James Bond car. My first car was a ‘bass boat blue’ Karmann Ghia with a white convertible top.”
https://www.youtube.com/embed/su1wN20YNBk?autoplay=0&mute=0&controls=1&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aardvarktx.com&playsinline=1&showinfo=0&rel=0&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&enablejsapi=1&widgetid=1

Snowhorn is founder and Chief Strategy Officer of EdgeMicro, one of the most successful Edge Data Center companies in North America.

The Senna is the most track-focused road car McLaren has ever built. It’s also the lightest. While it is street legal, it is “not sanitized to suit it,” according to McLaren’s website.

The Senna sports a mid-engine twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8, sending 789 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. That translates into a 0-to-60 time of 2.8 seconds… 100 mph in 5.1 seconds… but with an incredible aerodynamically designed down-force to keep the beautiful beast on the pavement.

“I own or have owned a McLaren 12C, 675LT, 570S GT4, and a 600LT. I now have my McLaren Senna (chassis #264) and will soon have a McLaren Senna GTR. My McLaren 570S GT4 (chassis #003, the first one ever in private hands,) is a legitimate racecar. But it’s forgiving to a gentleman driver like me. I’m no pro. I’m just a guy having fun with my friends.”

While Snowhorn lives in Austin, he’s quick to tell you McLaren Dallas is “his place.”

“This is my original dealer. Everyone here has always been so incredibly supportive. When I need something, it’s taken care of right away. It’s sort of an extension of the corporate McLaren family I mentioned earlier. McLaren Dallas is like home.”


 
From Left to Right: Heath Strayhan- General Manager of McLaren Dallas, Josh Snowhorn- McLaren Dallas Client, Tony Joseph- President of McLaren North America


Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place employs more than 2,000 people and operates 16 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, McLaren and Maserati. For more info, visit parkplace.com.

### Summertime Fun: Movie Nights Returning To Fort Worth’s Sundance Square

Originally featured on dfw.cbslocal.com on March 13, 2019



Sundance Square Movie Nights return this summer featuring seven movies celebrating current releases with entertaining animation, drama, fantasy and comedy.



Returning for the 12th year, Sundance Square begins the free movie series on Thursday evenings in the plaza in downtown Fort Worth, June 6 continuing through July 25.



All shows will begin approximately at 8:30 p.m.



Sundance Square’s digital screen “offers guests a dynamic sight and sound for the best outside movie experience,” according to a Sundance Square news release Wednesday.



Sundance Square’s 2019 Movie Night schedule includes:



June 6 – Secret Life of Pets (2016); rated PG June 13 – Black Panther (2018); rated PG-13 June 20 – Mary Poppins Returns (2018); rated PG June 27 – Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018); rated PG July 11 – Crazy Rich Asians (2018); rated PG-13 July 18 – Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch (2018); rated PG July 25 – Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018); rated PG-13



Moviegoers are invited to bring blankets or chairs for seating in the plaza.



Beverages will be available for purchase in the plaza during the movies and restaurants will be open throughout the evening.



Coolers and outside food or drink are not permitted, and Sundance Square Plaza is smoke-free.



Parking is always free weekdays after 5 p.m. in Sundance Square’s parking garages.  For locations, click here.



For more information about movie nights, click here.

### 12th annual Heights Car Show April 6

Originally featured on ntxe-news.com on March 7, 2019



The 12th Annual Heights Car Show, sponsored by Crest Cadillac & Infinity and Superior Insurance Agency/Hagerty Insurance Company, will be held 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Saturday April 6 at The Heights in Richardson.



The Heights Car Show is one of the first and largest charity car shows of the year. Over the show's 11-year history, it has donated more than $59,820 and 8,375 pounds of food to the Network of Community Ministries Food Pantry.



“There’s a little something for everyone in the family,” said show organizer Brian Ratcliff. “Over the years it’s grown into a fun, family-friendly event. Ken Savage and the Best Kept Secret Band will return playing classic rock hits with an emphasis on the bands with great horn sections. Food choices will include Chick-Fil-A sandwiches and freshly grilled hamburgers from Richardson’s Haystack Burgers & Barley, which recently finished in the top eight in The Dallas Morning News' Readers' Choice Best in D-FW: Burger Edition competition. But the real attraction will be some incredible cars you aren’t likely to see in one place anytime soon. Weather permitting we’re expecting this to be our biggest show yet with 600 available spots. We’ve already had a record number of pre-registrations, including some Ferraris, Porsches, Shelbys, McLarens and a variety of muscle cars and classics. Admission for spectators is free.”



The Heights Car Show attracts a wide range of vehicles from vintage Model A’s to seven-figure exotics and from rugged military vehicles to hot rods. The show will award 57 trophies in 24 classes, including Pre-50’s; 50’s; 60’s; 70’s; 80’s; 90’s & Newer; Camaro; Mustang; Open; Corvette 1953 – 1982; Corvette 1984 & Newer; Exotic; Convertible; Pre-70’s Import; 70’s & Newer Import; Muscle Car Pre-80s; Muscle car 80s & newer; Truck Pre-70’s; Truck 70’s & Newer; Military; Mopar; Street Rod; and 4-Wheel Drive plus Best of Show, Car Club Participation and a Long Distance Award.



Show car registration is $20 per car entry or 20 canned food items. Car registration is open online at http://heightscarshow.com or on-site 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Saturday April 6. All proceeds will benefit the Network of Community Ministries.



Founded in 1956, the Heights Church is located at 201 W. Renner Road at U.S. 75 (Central Expressway) in Richardson. More information at http://www.theheights.org.

### Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase Set for September 28, 2019 at Four Seasons Resort

Originally featured on Marketwatch.com on March 4, 2019



The 3 [rd] Annual Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase, Dallas-Fort Worth’s premier luxury lifestyle and automotive event, will return this fall to the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, September 28, 2019.



“The community has come out in force to support this event the last two years,” said Ken Schnitzer, Park Place Dealerships founder and chairman. “The third annual event will again showcase some of the most exotic and exciting vehicles that will please enthusiasts of all ages. What began three years ago as an engaging opportunity to celebrate our 30 [th] anniversary has quickly turned into the foremost luxury lifestyle and automotive event in this region.”



Park Place Dealerships represents some of the most coveted brands in the world, including Rolls-Royce, Maserati, McLaren, Bentley, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Volvo, Land Rover, and Jaguar which will all be featured at the event.



In keeping with a true lifestyle event, Park Place will expand its fashion, food and retail offerings within the Porsche Pavilion. There will be music performances on the Lexus Live Stage and beverages at The Mercedes-Benz Beer Garden on the lush Four Seasons TPC Championship golf course.



Within the event will be a juried Collectors’ Concours, featuring a diverse selection of rare supercars, luxury, sports, vintage and classic cars from private collectors. The motoring festival also will include a Car Club Expo powered by Park Up Front as well as the beloved Kid’s Zone.



Iconic luxury shopping and dining destination,Highland Park Village,will present a runway show produced by Jan Strimple Productions for the second year.The fashion show will feature looks from prestigious brands presented exclusively in the climate-controlled pavilion on the resort grounds, with retail pop-ups for guests to shop the day of the event.



Dallas’ Mad Hatter Shane Walker will return to judge the 2019 Haute Hat Contest on The Million Air Stage with categories for stylish men and women. Guests are encouraged to pair a hat with their favorite resort-inspired ensemble.



Ranging from $25 - $50 for general admission and $100 for VIP All Access, which includes the VIP Lounge with complimentary food and beverages from dozens of the area’s finest restaurants, tickets are on sale at LuxurySupercarShowcase.com. VIP Tickets are limited and have sold out the previous two years.



In 2018, the top Collectors’ Concours award winners were presented with the “Spirit of Park Place” hand-crafted sculpture by Dallas artist Brad Oldham:




Best of Show - 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB 6C



Chairman’s Choice Award - 1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II



Salesmanship Club Award - 1980 BMW M1




Returning partners include the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas, VIP Lounge Sponsors Allie Beth Allman & Associates – A Berkshire Hathaway Affiliate|URBAN, Captain’s Lounge Sponsor Celebrity Cruises, The City of Irving, Hill & Wilkinson, Hagerty, Event Architecture, AT&T Business, AVSD Productions, Digital 3 Printing, Fauxcades Décor, Brad Oldham Sculpture, D Magazine, and NBC 5.



Restaurants featured in the VIP Lounge include The French Room, LAW, III Forks, Cool River, Chop House Burger, Dallas Fish Market, Wild Salsa, Oven and Cellar, Outlaw Tap Room, Kai, Toulouse, Whiskey Cake, Texas de Brazil, Princi Italia, CRU Wine and Food Bar, Pacific Table, Cork & Pig Tavern, Make Your Life Sweeter, and Carlton Provisions.



Additional sponsors include Lilium Florals, Perks & Provisions, Promo Resources, Sunnyland Furniture, RideCentric, iDesignMeetings, Marquee Event Rentals, Bachendorf’s, Jack Black, Maui Jim, Renegade Cigars, Tito’s Vodka, Peroni Beer, Waste Management, GL Seaman, Ratcliff Financial Services, Garages of Texas, Thermal Printing and MarineMax Yachts.



Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place Dealerships employs more than 2,000 people and operates 16 full-service dealerships in Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston. For more info, visit parkplace.com.



View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190304005922/en/



Carolyn Alvey Aardvark Communications carolyn@aardvarktx.com 972.423.4144 office

### Riding in style

Grand Prairie ISD Superintendent Dr. Susan Simpson Hull with Park Place Motorcars Arlington GM Terry Powell



Originally featured on grandprairie.bubblelife.com on January 21, 2019



Grand Prairie ISD sponsored the MLK, Jr. Day parade Monday, January 21, which featured a variety of student and civic groups, including floats, marching bands, decorated vehicles and more.



Park Place Motorcars Arlington provided a 2019 Mercedes-Benz C300 Cabriolet for Grand Marshall Dr. Susan Simpson Hull, Grand Prairie ISD Superintendent to lead the parade.



“Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. famously stated, ’The function of education is to teach one to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education,’ recounts Park Place Motorcars Arlington General Manager Terry Powell. “Park Place Dealerships is proud to support Grand Prairie ISD. There is nothing more important to our future success than education. We’ve hired numerous GPISD graduates to work at Park Place. And we look forward to a brighter future because of their commitment to excellence.”



Dr. Hull has been a Texas educator for 39 years, serving as a teacher, coach, principal, and superintendent. She is in her 11th year as the superintendent of Grand Prairie ISD, a district with over 29,000 students.



The march began at the Liberty Bell on City Hall Plaza and ended at David Daniels Elementary Academy of Science and Math. Grand Prairie ISD, in conjunction with the City of Grand Prairie, the NAACP, and local community businesses and organizations honored Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s contributions with the annual parade.



Park Place Motorcars Arlington is a 91,000-square-foot Mercedes-Benz dealership located at I-20 and Collins.



Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place Dealerships employs more than 2,000 people and operates 16 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Lotus, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, McLaren, and Maserati. For more info, visit parkplace.com.

### Garland Couple’s Leading Role Takes Them to Hollywood

Klembara’s “My Place” Story Earns Couple Trip to Academy Awards



Originally featured on blueribbonnews.com on February 18, 2019



In today’s rough-and-tumble world, it’s refreshing to meet a couple like Teresa and Gary Klembara of Garland.



Married for 36 years, the magic between them remains palpable – twinkling eyes, gentle touches and warm banter speak to an enduring love story that rivals anything in the movies.



It’s easy to imagine the sparks flying when they first met at J.C. Penney – he as a senior manager and she a manager trainee. They dated off and on for seven years before they, as Teresa says, “came to our senses and got married.”



Gary transitioned into a successful career as an international IT businessman and, after opting to leave her own successful retail management career at JCP, Teresa joined him on the road whenever she could. She also kept busy with sports and civic activities – “Keeping the home fires burning,” she says brightly.



Teresa’s bubbly laughter comes easily and often, especially when her affectionate rescue pooch, Brody, jumps into her lap for yet another smooch and snuggle. Gary shakes his head indulgently and pats Brody. This is, indeed, one lovingly pampered pup who, not surprisingly, embodies the couple’s lifelong commitment to each other and others.



They have a long-standing date for dinner and a movie with friends. “There are several couples we’ve been friends with for the past 30 years,” explains Gary. “When we’re in town we get together for dinner and a movie every Saturday.”



When asked about their favorite movie to win an Oscar this year, Gary favored “Bohemian Rhapsody” while Teresa leaned towards “A Star is Born.”



It’s not all butterflies and unicorns



Lest they sound entirely too Pollyanna-perfect, however, just watch Teresa at a Dallas Stars hockey game. (They’ve been season ticket holders for 24 years). Without going into too much detail, let’s just say that her otherwise ladylike demeanor gives way when the puck drops. “She’s hilarious to watch,” says Gary.



Then there’s their latest shared musical obsession – the Chicago-based heavy metal band Disturbed. “Their version of ‘Sounds of Silence’ is haunting,” she says.



“When they came to Dallas recently, we went to their concert,” adds Gary. “We probably looked a little out of place, but nobody seemed to mind.”



“See, we can be edgy, too!” Teresa quips.



Edgy or staid, the secret to their relationship is commitment – the promise to put each other first.



“We both tend to go with the flow,” says Gary. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to make the most of what it is or isn’t,” adds Teresa. They often complete each other’s thoughts.



Their latest opportunity – making the most of an out-of-the-blue invitation to attend the upcoming 91st Academy Awards ceremony on Sunday, Feb. 24th in Hollywood.



It’s an unlikely tale that not even a Hollywood scriptwriter could fashion.



A throne fit for a furry king



The story actually goes back nearly 25 years ago, when Gary – an admitted car guy – checked out Lexus and, admiring the brand’s comfort, beauty and sense of security, bought a GS300.



Several weeks later, it was Teresa’s first rescue dog, Lacey, who really sealed the deal with their second Lexus, an ES300, in what developed into a lasting relationship with Dallas-based Park Place Dealerships.



“I know how this sounds,” she chuckles, “but Lacey traveled with me all the time and the car’s armrest wasn’t big enough for her to sit by me, so I had to say no.”



Undaunted, their sales rep, Carl Keith, went to his home garage and fashioned a custom, leather-clad doggy perch. He called Teresa and showed her the homemade accessory. She welled up and bought the car “in three minutes flat.”



“I was blown away,” says Gary. That show of dedication from the dealership led to a relationship that continues to this day. In fact, Gary has acquired an astonishingly unbroken line of 18 Lexus vehicles from Park Place.



“We want our clients to think of Park Place as ‘My Place,” explains Dave Evans, Park Place Dealerships Chief Marketing Officer. “Park Place team members are committed every day to create an ownership experience that can’t be found anywhere else. Our clients have fabulous stories about Park Place members who have gone above and beyond to make their experience memorable and we are sharing some of those stories through the “My Place” campaign starting with the Klembaras.”



The campaign kicks off locally during the Academy Awards show on Sunday, February 24.



“We thought it only fitting that our stars, Teresa and Gary Klembara, should go to Hollywood and enjoy the Academy Award experience,” said Evans. “This is our way to say ‘thank you’ for their commitment to Park Place.”



So the burning question – what designer will they wear?



“Probably jeans and cowboy boots,” Gary grins.



“Texas chic!” Teresa pipes up. “We’ll represent Texas in all its glory. What do you think, Brody?”



Hearing his name, the rescue pup’s ears perk up and he answers with a lively bark.



Meanwhile, Carl Keith, the Park Place Lexus sales manager, is happy to play “best supporting” role in this story.

### Yvonne & Mayo Crum to Be Honored at Aging Mind Foundation Gala March 23

Yvonne Crum



Originally featured on parkcities.bubblelife.com on February 12, 2019



Friends of Yvonne and Mayo Crum had been trying to set them up for some time when they finally met May 7, 1967.



“I had just returned from Paris with a new dress,” recalls Yvonne, who at the time was a Braniff Airlines flight attendant. “I wore it to Jane Ventura’s birthday party. Mayo and I were talking by the pool. He had just said, ‘Everybody says we ought to meet,’ when someone pushed both of us into the pool. We went back to our apartments and changed clothes, and then went to dinner together. We’ve been inseparable ever since. We were engaged August 14 and married September 8, 1967. Of course, everyone said it wouldn’t last.”



Even as her husband of more than 50 years navigates the end stage of Parkinson’s disease, Yvonne Crum presses on to raise money for Alzheimer’s and dementia research.



“John Clutts, Aging Mind Foundation board member, called last year and invited me to lunch,” recalls Yvonne. “I asked what he wanted, and he said, ‘just to take you to lunch.’ I said, ‘come on, John, we both know there’s no such thing as a free lunch.’ But when he and Laree Hulshoff, Aging Mind Foundation’s co-founder, told me about their mission, of course, I agreed to help.”



Yvonne and Mayo Crum are Honorees of the 2019 Aging Mind Foundation Gala, which will be held March 23 at the Joule Hotel in Dallas. Registration for the Gala is available at agingmindfoundation.org



The Aging Mind Foundation was founded in 2013 to raise money to fund scientific research that seeks the cause and cure of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. 



Parkinson's disease is a progressive nervous system disorder. Symptoms usually start gradually, sometimes with a barely noticeable tremor. In Parkinson's disease, certain nerve cells in the brain gradually break down, often resulting in dementia. 



“Several years ago Mayo began experiencing neuropathy in his legs,” explained Yvonne, “and on October 16, 2016, he fell and couldn’t get up. I called an ambulance and they took him to the hospital. He was transferred to a nursing facility with a Memory Care unit, and he hasn't been home since. Last May, his doctor told us Mayo probably had six to seven months to live. Mayo is day to day now. I go see him several times each day, but I always wonder when I leave if that’s the last time I’ll see him.”



Yvonne is a philanthropic phenomenon. Beginning in 1969 when she was introduced to Ruth Sharp Altshuler, she and Mayo became involved with the Dallas Summer Musicals. Yvonne and Mayo had only been married two years, and she was still working as a flight attendant for Braniff. But she found time to volunteer, and over the years, served as president for six consecutive two-year terms. 



She flew for Braniff for 26 years, then spent another 20 years with American Airlines before retiring in 2010. She is in the “Flight Attendants Hall of Fame.”



Over the past 50 years, Yvonne has championed many charitable causes, including the Kidney Foundation of Texas, Dallas Children’s Theater, Mental Health Association, Nexus Recovery Center, National Women’s Board, Dallas Museum of Art, Northwood University and the DIFFA Style Council, helping to raise a total of more than $8 million for various charities.



Yvonne founded the Suicide and Crisis Center’s Fashion Stars for a Cause event. She has been honored with The Distinguished Woman Award from Northwood University in 2001, the Dallas Historical Society Award for Excellence in Volunteering in 2006, and in 2009 was named Woman of the Year by Les Femmes du Monde. Yvonne received an Honorary Doctorate from Northwood University in 2009.



The Aging Mind Foundation has raised nearly $2 million and has funded four Alzheimer’s dementia research projects. Proceeds from the 2019 Aging Mind Foundation Gala will benefit Yale University’s Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration and Repair program.



Presented by Headington Companies, The Joule and Forty-Five Ten, The Aging Mind Gala will be hosted by Greg Creed, CEO of Yum! Brands, with entertainment from country singer Jay Allen. Sherwood Wagner is serving as the Honorary Chair and Kathy Nelson as Gala Chair. 

### TeamConnor Board Member, Carolyn Alvey, Discusses Childhood Cancer Fundraising With Chris Sommer

During the State of the Union address, President Trump called on Congress to spend an additional 500-million-dollars over ten years in the fight against childhood cancer. Carolyn Alvey, board member with TeamConnor was interviewed by Chris Sommer at NewsRadio 1080 KRLD AM. Carolyn, what did you think about the proposal from the president?







https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2555343801146801

### Spread The Love This Valentine's Day

Originally featured on plano.bubblelife.com on February 8, 2019



In 2012, TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation created the KidzBinz Activity Box program for children going through stem cell transplants as a result of a cancer diagnosis. Following a transplant, a child might stay in isolation for up to 90 days to rebuild their immune system thus, significantly limiting the interaction with family and the outside world.



The KidzBinz Activity Boxes are tailored to each child’s preferences and might include paints, canvases, jewelry-making materials, books, scrapbooks, or an age-appropriate musical instrument. Hospitals have found the KidzBinz Activity Boxes provide essential components of quality pediatric health care by supporting the children’s psychological and emotional needs while easing their feelings of isolation and loneliness.



TeamConnor will be accepting donations for KidzBinz in February as an opportunity for the community to show love in the month of love.



The community can give in the honor of a special someone by making a donation directly to TeamConnor at TeamConnor.org or purchasing from the Amazon Wish List found on KidzBinz.org. Donations will provide sick children in our community with an outlet to express their feelings and creativity during one of the most difficult times in their young lives.



Every year, more than 12,500 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer in the United States. Childhood cancer is the number one disease killer of children, yet the budget of the National Cancer Institute allocates less than four percent of its funds to pediatric cancer research. TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness and funding research and treatment programs to find cures for all childhood cancers.   



TeamConnor hosts several events throughout the year to raise funds and awareness for childhood cancer research, including: the 15thAnnual III Forks Golf Classic, May 5, & 6, 2019; Splash Out Childhood Cancer, Summer 2019; and the 9thAnnualNorthwestern Mutual Clay Shoot, November 4, 2019. For more information on how to join the fight against childhood cancer, please visit teamconnor.org or Facebook.com/TeamConnor.

### TeamConnor Believes President Trump’s Childhood Cancer Proposal is a Good Start

https://www.youtube.com/embed/p6Z4_Sz_Z6w?autoplay=0&mute=0&controls=1&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aardvarktx.com&playsinline=1&showinfo=0&rel=0&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&enablejsapi=1&widgetid=1




Originally featured on KRLD 1080 News Radio on February 6, 2019



Most pediatric cancer treatments have not significantly improved in the past 20 years.  Without funding, progress can not be made to advance childhood cancer treatments and potential cures.  For our most vulnerable population, this is unacceptable.  The TeamConnor



Childhood Cancer Foundation mission is to raise funds for national childhood cancer research programs, to build awareness that less than 4% of the NIH’s annual funding supports childhood cancer research, and to support inpatient programs.



TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation was founded as a non-profit 501(c)(3) by Connor’s mother, Joy Cruse, and shortly thereafter the first board of directors was established.  Since TeamConnor’s inception in late 2008, the organization has donated more than $2.3 million to hospitals and research facilities around the country.   TeamConnor would not be successful without our generous donors and supporters who attend our golf tournaments, auctions, fun runs, and various fundraising events throughout the year.



Today, there are many children battling cancer.  More funding means more research and increased treatment options available for children with cancer.  Ultimately, we are focused on finding cures.  Our organization continues to work tirelessly so that other children will not have to suffer.  Please help us fund more research for all childhood cancers.



All donations are tax-deductible.

### Dallas dealership's new subscription delivers six-figure supercars to your door

Originally featured on dallas.culturemap.com on January 17, 2019



Who needs chocolate when you could shower your valentine with supercars instead? Dallas-based Park Place dealerships is launching a “Premier Tier” level of its vehicle subscription service, Park Place Select, that could have your honey-bunch hitting the road in one of the most luxurious cars in the world by this time next month.



The new service lets you swap or “flip” among your choice of five ultra high-end vehicles from their Premier Collection dealership on Lemmon Avenue in Dallas. Subscribers can choose among the Bentley GT convertible, Mercedes Benz G63, Maserati Quattroporte, McLaren 570 Spider, and Bentley Bentayga.



Swap as often as you like. Daily, even. But Park Place recommends flipping every couple of weeks, to appreciate each vehicle’s full-on experience.



All you pay for is gas. And, of course, the $3,000 joining fee and monthly subscription fee of $4,495.



This high-end offering begins, conveniently enough, on Valentine’s Day. (Sure beats droopy, overpriced roses.)



Begun last year, the program also offers subscribers three additional levels to choose from: Prime, Plus, and Premium, which range from $995 to $1,995 per month (not including joining fees).



Via a smartphone app, participants choose, and flip, vehicles from the brands at Park Place. Within 24 hours, the vehicle arrives at their door. Maintenance, insurance, and cleaning costs are included. There’s even an available concierge to facilitate the experience.



“Vehicle subscription programs are an alternative to traditional purchase and lease options,” explains Hesham Elgaghil, chief strategy officer for Park Place. “With Select, we’re at the forefront of offering unique solutions that serve our unique clients. The new Premier tier expands those solutions even more.” 



It's a trendy thing to do. Today’s digital subscription model has moved well past books, magazines, and sock clubs to encompass pet supplies, boxed ready-to-make dinners, razor blades, media content, even bacon and bagels. 



But six-figure supercars? For that matter, vehicles of any type, via subscription? Some manufacturers and third-party providers think it’s a coming thing. Volvo, Mercedes, BMW, Lexus and Jaguar Land Rover have all announced subscription programs that are in varying developmental stages.



But Park Place is unique in that it offers Select tiers throughout their product lines, not just one brand. 



“We feel fortunate to have a unique dealership, the Premier Collection, where clients can experience high-end, exclusive brands through this new subscription tier,” Elgaghil says. “And we’ll continue to challenge ourselves to deliver innovative solutions.”

### McLaren Sales Up 29 Percent Locally

Originally featured on parkcitiespeople.com on January 14, 2019



McLaren Dallas, which serves North Texas, has announced that it finished 2018 with a robust sales increase of 29 percent over the previous year.



Why do you ask? Demand for new vehicles.



“We delivered our first of the new Ultimate Series cars, the McLaren Senna, in 2018,” said Heath Strayhan, general manager of Park Place Premier Collection. “Each of these vehicles contained highly bespoke McLaren Special Operations content.”



McLaren Special Operations undertakes special vehicle commissions and customization, and more customers are now choosing to add unique, personal touches to their vehicles, which has caused orders to triple over the past year, according to a news release.



Global sales for McLaren Automotive were up 43.9 percent. McLaren has increased sales every year since its formation in 2010. North America, which represents McLaren’s largest single market and over a third of global sales, surpassed 5,000 cars sold since sales started in 2011.



The MPC also built its most varied mix of products yet, including examples from each of the company’s now firmly established Sports, Super, and Ultimate Series lines. In addition to the McLaren Senna and 600LT, the company launched the first two of 18 new products under its Track25 business plan: the fully deposited Speedtail and the 720S Spider.



“By the fourth quarter of 2018, we began deliveries of the Longtail version of the 600LT,” explained Strayhan. “We recently delivered a McLaren 570S GT4, a high-performance track car, to a McLaren Dallas client. New for 2019 will be the highly anticipated 720S Spider, which will begin delivery this quarter. Our clients are very excited about all the options available and the ability to customize their car to be one of one.”



McLaren Dallas, located at 5300 Lemmon Avenue, is part of the Park Place Premier Collection, which includes Maserati Dallas, Bentley Dallas, and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Dallas.



Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place employs more than 2,000 people and operates 16 full-service dealerships.



For more info, visit parkplace.com.

### The Need for Speed

Rev Up Your Engines at The Best Auto Shows in the World



Orignally featured on iconiclife.com



Supercars are the ultimate luxury symbol. If simply revving your Porsche isn’t enough, car events are a perfect way to get your automotive fix in some of the most dazzling vacation destinations in the world. Here, your ultimate guide to the biggest and best auto shows in the world.



Photo by @gims.swiss



GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW—Geneva, Switzerland



The Geneva International Motor Show began in 1905 and is considered one of the top five best auto shows in the world. Last year the show featured more than 900 cars and was the site of more than 150 world and European car premiers. The Geneva show offers the most comprehensive view of new trends, cars, technology and future developments of any auto event in the world. The show slated for March 7 to 17, 2019 is a bucket list for any true car lover. For a VIP experience, GC Prive offers everything from premium seats, boxes and hospitality suites, to personal hosts, chauffeurs and the opportunity to rent a super car during your stay.







Where to Stay: Most of the hotels near the Palexpo center where the show is held are budget options. Instead, stay in the heart of the city at the historic Beau Rivage. Opt for the two-story Celestial Suite for views of both the city and famous Lake Geneva. Hotels sell out far in advance of the event, so the time to book is now.







BARRETT JACKSON—Scottsdale, Arizona Billed as the Greatest Collector Car auction in the world, the flagship Barrett Jackson Scottsdale auction treats car aficionados to high-octane fun January 12 to 20, 2019. Last year, more than 1,700 vehicles sold for over $160 million, with the top vehicle, a 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder commanding a cool $1.4 million. The very first pre-production hardtop 1965 Ford Mustang, and a rare 2001 Ferrari 550 Barchetta, are some of the highlights that will cross the auction block in 2019.



In addition to the auction, there are seminars, automobilia for sale and VIP parties. For the most exclusive access, the Craig Jackson VIP package offers skybox access, reserved seating in the auction area, parking, special auction block tour, a meet and greet with founder Craig Jackson, VIP bidder bar access, bidder registration and an invitation to the opening night gala.







Where to stay: Sanctuary Resort & Spa offers the ultimate auction package with three Camelback Mountain estates available ranging from 4,400 to 5,800 sq. ft.







PARK PLACE SUPER CAR SHOW—Irving/Dallas, Texas If it’s true that everything is bigger in Texas it’s no surprise that the Park Place Super Car Show slated for September 2019 is planning to grow exponentially entering its third year.



This newbie to the car show circuit features the most luxurious autos of any event in Texas. Held at the Four Seasons Las Colinas, the largest Four Seasons in the world, the grounds are a perfect backdrop to view gorgeous cars like this year’s best of show, a 1996 Ferrari 275 GTB 6C. The show features a VIP tasting experience highlighting some of the top tables in Dallas, a fashion show, and a sampling of some of the hottest new cars from brands like Porsche, McLaren, Bentley and more.







Where to stay: With the event onsite, the Four Seasons Las Colinas is the only choice. To get ready for the big event, book the oxygen infusion facial at the Well & Being Spa.







PEBBLE BEACH CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE—Pebble Beach, California The grand dame of American concours events, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is August 18, 2019, capping off an entire Monterey Car Week that begins August 9. Only 200 cars are chosen from more than 1,000 to appear in the concours event.



Last year, a 1937 Alfa Romeo 8C2900B Touring Berlinetta took home the top prize. In 2018, there were 10 world debuts and eight North American auto premiers. While the Chairman’s Hospitality Package is the most exclusive ticket package available, the only way to experience all the VIP events if your car is not accepted into the concours competition is to participate in the Motoring Classic. The 1,500-mile road trip travels from Seattle to Pebble Beach. Anyone with a quality pre-1968 auto can apply to be one of the 30 cars invited into the rally.







Where to Stay: The Lodge at Pebble Beach is the location for the Concours d’Elegance and the ideal place to stay. The historic property offers complimentary transportation via Lexus and admission to several private clubs in the area, as well as preferred golf tee time reservations.







MONACO GRAND PRIX—Monte Carlo, Monaco Considered one of the most prestigious and best auto shows in the world, The Monaco Grand Prixcelebrates 77 years when Formula One drivers take to the Circuit de Monaco May 23 to 26, 2019. Because the course winds through the hilly, narrow streets of Monaco, it is one of the most demanding, and slowest F1 races held. For a luxe experience, choose to see the race from the brand new Suite Terrace at the Majestic Palace, which has a view of more than 75 percent of the course. The package includes all-day gourmet catering with bubbly and fine wines. Or the ultimate viewing perch is from a yacht in Port Hercule.







Where to Stay: With views of the course from the Salle Belle Epoque Terrace, the historic Hotel Hermitage is a great base. Its location in the coveted Carré d’Or district puts you steps from restaurants, shops, the opera and casino.

### When Santa Brings a Car, They’ll Need a Bigger Tree

Originally feature on NYTimes.com on December 21, 2018



Every December, the holiday classics return to television, mainstay tales like “Frosty the Snowman” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” And don’t forget those commercials where someone wakes up to a luxury car in the driveway on Christmas morning.



Except those ads aren’t just Yuletide fantasies.



Yes, there are people who give a car worth $60,000, $80,000 or more to someone special during the holidays, even rushing into a dealership on Christmas Eve. So many people give costly cars as presents that gift sales can make up 10 percent or more of December sales for luxury auto dealers, brand representatives and dealers say.



Also, yes: Those gigantic car bows are real, and they’re a crucial factor in making the sale.



“Gift cars are about 15 percent of our December business,” Chris Brunner, general manager of Park Place Lexus in Plano, Tex., said in mid-December. “We have seven cars sitting on our lot right now waiting to be delivered on the 24th.”



December is rarely the biggest month for overall United States auto sales, but it has been the best sales month for Mercedes, Lexus, BMW and Lincoln for three years running, and one of the best for Cadillac and Jaguar, according to CarSalesBase.com. December sales of those six luxury marques made up as much as 14 percent of each brand’s annual sales.



Individual dealers once typically pushed holiday sales in the same way as sales events around Memorial Day and Lincoln’s Birthday, but a 1997 promotion from Lexus put a Christmastime spin on things. In 1999, Lexus, Toyota’s luxury brand, premiered its “December to Remember” campaign — and those gigantic red bows. This year, Jaguar is going big for the holidays, with a prominent “Unwrap a Jaguar” campaign, and Lincoln, Ford, GMC Trucks, Chevy, Toyota and Nissan all have marketing timed to the holidays.



Of course, not every December car purchase is a gift, said Matt DeLorenzo, senior managing editor of Kelley Blue Book. The bulk of December sales are made to people picking up year-end bargains, customers exchanging leased cars and last-minute business purchases before the tax year ends. Still, the image of a gift car gives dealers a way to reframe end-of-the-year sales as more than moving leftover stock.



“It’s a great backdrop to push December sales,” Mr. DeLorenzo said, “but it’s like those Hallmark Christmas specials — it isn’t reality. Given that a car is the second-biggest purchase for most households, I doubt anyone is running out to buy a car behind their spouse’s back.”



Belay that Grinch-like sentiment for a moment and return to Park Place Lexus in Texas. There, less than 10 days before Christmas, Mr. Brunner was awaiting a buyer who is having a friend make his down payment.



“He knows his wife will spot it if he writes a check or puts it on his credit card,” he said. “We’re delivering that one during dinner on Christmas Eve.”



Yes, that happens, too. Mr. Brunner has sales representatives waiting to sneak cars into driveways during the wee hours of Christmas Day. “I’ve done a few deliveries at 4 in the morning,” he said.



“We had one salesman get a top hat and tuxedo, then rang the doorbell and presented the key with the car sitting out in front of the house,” he said. “However creative the purchaser wants to be, we’ll play along. It’s fun for us, too.”



Arranging a driveway surprise gets tricky in gated communities, though, so a more common approach at Jaguar of Tampa, Fla., is a surprise in the showroom, said Bryan Mobley, general manager of the Elder Automotive Group there.



“We’re open Christmas Eve, and when people come in, we’ll have the car ready and bowed up, sitting by itself,” Mr. Mobley said. “The car has a big tag on the window that says, ‘Present for …’ which is massive — it’s a third of the size of the door.”



But it’s the bow that matters to the point that, some dealers say, no bow can mean no sale.



“The bow is a huge deal. That’s everything,” said Mr. Brunner of Park Place Lexus. “I wouldn’t say the car is secondary, but if you don’t have a bow — really?”



Park Place buys 60 bows to give away, in addition to bows bought through Lexus that are used in the showroom. At Jaguar, the bows are white for the cars and red for Land Rover SUVs.



“Every year, I run out of bows,” Mr. Mobley said. “I ask people that if the bow doesn’t have any sentimental value, please bring it back. But the nicer the bow, the less likely it is to come back.”



At King Size Bows in Costa Mesa, Calif., the question a few months ago was how to ship an order of Lexus-style bows to Kenya, said Amber Kingaard-Hughes, who runs the business with her mother, Jan Kingaard. The last batch of custom bows for the holidays shipped on Dec. 17, but the company still offers 41-inch stock bows for $50.



“We sell thousand of bows for cars during the year but, obviously, during the holidays, it ramps up,” said Ms. Kingaard-Hughes, who has handcrafted bows for planes and trains as well as automobiles, yachts and even horses. “My dream job is to put bows on the Clydesdales for Budweiser,” she added. “That’d be classic.”



Most gift cars are given by men to wives, girlfriends or children, but there are exceptions.



“I was working two full-time jobs and thought, ‘If not now, when?’” said Lori Perkins, a New Yorker who’s the publisher of Riverdale Avenue Books and Romance Daily News. Ms. Perkins picked up a brand-new red Volkswagen Beetle in 2011. “I decided to buy myself a new car for Christmas because I’d grown up watching the Christmas car ads.”



She insisted on a bow. “I made the dealer take a picture and I sent it as a Christmas card to my close friends,” she said. “It made me very happy.”



The only downside, she said, sighing, was that the dealer made her return the bow. “I would really have liked to have driven my new car down the Henry Hudson Parkway with the bow,” she said.

### Mayor Price Shares Holiday Reading in Sundance Square

Originally featured on ntxe-news.com on December 20, 2018



Under a giant storybook in a cozy nook, Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price recently brought the “Twelve Sleighs of Christmas” and “Is it Christmas Yet?” to life with a special reading at Houston Street Toy Company in Sundance Square. The colorful toy store has been compared to the magical store in the fictional story Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium with surprises hanging from the ceiling and around every corner.



“Houston Street Toy Company is one of many places in Sundance Square where you can find truly unique gifts,” said Tracy Gilmour, marketing director for Sundance Square. “You can find the perfect gift for the “hard to shop for” person on your list with distinctive offerings from specialty stores like Earth Bones, Haltom’s Jewelers, the Virgin Olive Oiler, Parts Unknown, Willow House and Yours Truly, among others.”



Holiday magic continues in Sundance Square with visitors stopping to chat with Santa Clause. Those anxious to make the most of their time in the plaza can enter a virtual line while waiting to see Santa Claus. Upon arriving in Sundance Square, guests can simply send a text to check in at Santa’s Sleigh, allowing them to shop, eat, and relax until it’s time to meet Santa Claus. 



Every year, proceeds from photos with Santa Claus benefit the Fort Worth Sister Cities’ Youth Program. Visits with Santa are $20 (cash only), which includes a photo with Santa, who will be in Sundance Square through December 23. Check www.sundancesquare.com for specific times. 



Bass Hall will host a number of holiday events including performances of The Nutcracker throughout the month of December and a Mannheim Steamroller Christmas concert December 28th at 7:30 pm. 



Jubilee Theatre presents The First Noel, a memory musical that flashes back to Harlem in 1985 and follows the story of Noel as a child and her desire for Christmas in a house where holiday joy has been unwelcome for years. This family friendly production runs November 23 through December 23. More information and tickets at jubileetheatre.org.



Parking is always free in Sundance Square after 5 pm on weekdays. Before 5 pm, parking is free with validation from a Sundance Square restaurant or retailer.  Validation is good for 2.5 hours of dining or shopping, or four hours for weekday movies.  Weekends are free throughout the day and evening.  



Guests also have the option to valet park for free throughout Sundance Square with purchase from a Sundance Square merchant. Just look for the red umbrellas in 10 locations within Sundance Square. 



Sundance Square is a vibrant, award-winning entertainment district spanning 36 blocks in downtown Fort Worth. The multi-use development attracts more than 10 million visitors each year for dining, shopping, events, and performances. For more information visit sundancesquare.com or follow the business and entertainment development on Facebook.com/sundancesquare or Twitter @sundancesquare

### TeamConnor Founder, Joy Cruse, on NBC5 in DFW

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=422264338682211

### Rolls-Royce Cullinan Takes North Texas Highways by Storm

Originally featured on ntxe-news.com on December 13, 2018



Rolls-Royce Cullinan Driving at the Crespi Estate



Social media was buzzing December 1 – 3 with unusual sightings across North Texas. Reports of a large SUV with a massive Rolls-Royce-style grill spotted around the Crespi Estate in Dallas. It was said to be unusually quick and extraordinarily nimble. 



There were reports of it rambling off road at the D’Vine Grace Vineyards in McKinney, all four wheels gripping the uneven terrain as it scaled hills like a gazelle. 



Then, it was spotted regally wafting down the Chisholm Trail Parkway in Fort Worth,  sparkling like the rare diamond for which it was named.



Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Dallas confirmed it was the source for the remarkable sightings of the Cullinan, Rolls-Royce’s first all-wheel drive, high-bodied vehicle. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars invited guests to drive the “Rolls-Royce of SUVs” both on and off the road.



After an exhilarating drive, guests relaxed with margaritas made with Uno Por Favor Tequila at the Crespi Estate; a glass of Whispering Angel Rosé at D’Vine Grace Vineyards; or a taste of Fist Full of Bourbon at Park Place Bodywerks in Fort Worth.



The “Rolls-Royce of SUVs” has arrived, making the concept of “Luxury Effortless, Everywhere” a fact. The Cullinan is the only SUV capable of delivering the renowned ‘Magic Carpet Ride’ on any surface — whether paved or uneven terrain. 



This beautiful beast sports a powerful 6.75 Liter twin-turbo V12 engine that delivers 563 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque to the all-wheel drive and all-wheel steering system that can conquer any challenge. Despite its hefty weight of nearly three tons, it can accelerate from 0-to-60 mph in 6.3 seconds and reach a top speed of 155 mph. Comfortably. Effortlessly. And nearly soundlessly. Its sound insulation is so superb, you have to roll down the window to hear if the engine is running. The front tires are even filled with foam to reduce road noise. 



Rolls-Royce Cullinan at the Crespi Estate



If you wish to take the Cullinan off-road (and you certainly must) simply push the “Off Road” button and the computerized system will automatically raise the vehicle, read the terrain and select the proper gear, adjust the suspension, and continuously deliver the exact power to each wheel as needed. Effortlessly. Everywhere.



Of course, the Cullinan has the famed umbrella inside the door frame. But it also has a distinctive feature that speaks to Rolls-Royce’s attention to detail. The umbrella compartment is tied into the HVAC system. So if you return a wet umbrella into the frame, it will dry it as you drive.



While the Cullinan is a driver-focused vehicle, the rear passenger compartment offers the best seat in the house. Those in the rear sit higher on Rolls-Royce’s Pavilion Seating, enjoying grandstand views of their surroundings thanks to large side windows and a panoramic glass roof. And if they wish, they can zero in on their location on the rear touchscreen map.



Rear Seat Configuration of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan



Two rear configurations are offered – Lounge Seats, which will accommodate three passengers or Individual Seating for two. In the Lounge Seat configuration, the rear seats fold down, a first for Rolls-Royce. The seats fold electronically in a number of configurations. One press causes each backrest to effortlessly fold down, while moving the headrests upwards simultaneously to avoid making an imprint on the seat. Both seat backs can be folded down completely, creating a flat load area, or in a 2/3 and 1/3 split.



Signature Rolls-Royce Doors on Cullinan



The Individual Seat configuration offers two rear seats separated by a fixed center console containing a refrigerated drink cabinet, replete with Rolls-Royce glasses, decanter and champagne flutes. Each individual seat can move in a number of planes for ultimate comfort. And, of course, they are heated and vented with remarkable massage capabilities.



This configuration also creates the first “three-box” SUV. Inspired by the age when one never traveled in the same compartment as one’s luggage, a glass partition isolates the luggage compartment from the passenger compartment, creating an inner ecosystem for the occupants. In addition to enhanced silence, the sealed cabin allows the optimum temperature for passengers even when the rear hatch is open.



Open Tailgate on the Rolls-Royce Cullinan



For the first time ever a Rolls-Royce has an opening tailgate. The Cullinan’s rear “Clasp” opens and closes in two sections.



The Cullinan comes alive at the touch of a button on the key, or by simply touching its stainless steel door handle with the key on the driver’s person. The carriage lowers itself by 40mm to make entry effortless, as the iconic coach doors stand open wide to welcome driver and passengers to their next adventure. Access to the cabin has never been easier, thanks to completely flat floors in both the front and rear compartments. 



Driver and passengers can close the doors with a touch of a button. Or touch the sensor on the exterior door handles and the doors automatically close from the outside.



Press the start button and the Cullinan rises 40mm before taking its occupants on the smoothest ride possible. 



For the first time, the central information screen is touch sensitive, allowing the driver to quickly select functions, map views and vehicle settings. Or one can access the portal from the iconic Spirit of Ecstasy controller on the central console along with the ‘Off-Road’ button, Hill Descent Control button and Air Suspension height adjustment controls.



Navigation On the Rolls-Royce Cullinan SUV



Other cutting-edge technology that makes the Cullinan the most technologically advanced car of its type includes: Night Vision and Vision Assist, including daytime/night-time wildlife & pedestrian warning; Alertness Assistant; a four-camera system with panoramic view, all-round visibility and helicopter view; Active Cruise Control; Collision Warning; Cross-Traffic Warning, Lane Departure and Lane Change Warning; an industry-leading 7×3 high-resolution Heads-Up Display, WiFi hotspot, and the latest Navigation and Entertainment Systems. All electronic devices can be charged via five USB ports around the cabin, while phones can be wirelessly charged in the front of the cabin.



Starting at $325,000, options for customization of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan are only limited by one’s imagination. 



Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Dallas is located at 5300 Lemmon Avenue as part of the Park Place Premier Collection.



Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place employs more than 2,000 people and operates 17 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Lotus, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, McLaren, Bentley andMaserati. For more info, visit parkplace.com

### Park Place Motorcars donates Mercedes-Benz for Jewel Charity Ball

Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth general manager George Johnson with Jewel Charity Ball president Pam Pigman.



Originally featured on ntxe-news.com on January 1, 2019



Fort Worth, Texas -- Thinking outside the (jewel) box in 1953, Nenetta Burton Carter and Bille Brandsford Clark sought to raise funds to meet the needs of children whose families could not afford their medical care. A committee of 15 women planned the first Jewel Charity Ball, which resulted in a $9,000 donation to Fort Worth Children’s hospital.



On December 15, 2018, the 65th Annual Jewel Charity Ball will be held at the Fort Worth Convention Center. With over 625 members, Jewel Charity has raised over $71 million dollars to ensure that all children at Cook Children's Hospital are provided the health care they need.



This year’s event will feature a silent auction and raffle prizes for everything from fine jewelry and trips abroad to the winner’s choice of a Mercedes Benz GLE or E300, donated by Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth.



“We are proud to be a sponsor of the Jewel Charity Ball,” said George Johnson, general manager of Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth. “Nothing is more important than the health and well-being of the children in our community.”



Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth is located at 5601 Bryant Irving Road, just off the Chisholm Trail Parkway in southwest Fort Worth.



Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place employs more than 2,000 people and operates 17 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Lotus, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, McLaren, Bentley and Maserati. For more info, visit parkplace.com

### Park Place Porsche Grapevine celebrates grand opening

Park Place Dealerships President Neil Grossman; Park Place Dealerships Chairman Ken Schnitzer; Grapevine Mayor William D. Tate; Porsche Cars North America CEO Klaus Zellmer



Originally featured on ntxe-news.com on October 9, 2018



Park Place Dealerships celebrated the opening of it’s 18th dealership with a grand opening celebration of the new Porsche Grapevine store at 1280 Texan Trail off Highway 114.



More than 700 guests had the run of the two-story, 68,000-square-foot dealership, including the spacious 28 bay Service Garage. Special guests included Grapevine Mayor William D. Tate; Porsche Cars North America CEO Klaus Zellmer and COO Joe Lawrence; Director of Transplant Services at Baylor University Medical Center Dr. Goran Klintmalm; and owner of the Gas Monkey Garage and star of The Discovery Channel’s “Fast & Loud” TV show Richard Rawlings.



Guests savored tastings from some of Southlake Town Square’s finest restaurants including Brio Tuscan Grille, Del Frisco’s Grille, Hopdoddy Burger Bar, TruFire Kitchen & Bar, and Truluck’s.



Southlake Town Square merchants provided a look at fall fashions from J. Crew, Allen Edmonds, Michael Kors, Malouf’s and J. McLaughlin.



Park Place Dealerships founder Ken Schnitzer led guests in a toast with Louis Roederer Champagne as the new 2019 Porsche Cayenne SUV was unveiled. Guests also enjoyed craft cocktails by Hendrick’s Gin, proprietary wines from the Vineyard at Florence, and the Glenfiddich Scotch and Cigar bar.



Thanks to the Porsche Club of America, Maverick Region, guests delighted in a special Heritage Display of Porsche vehicles throughout the decades.



Porsche recently celebrated 70 years as an iconic brand. Currently, the U.S. is the largest single market for Porsche, with American buyers accounting for 28 percent of 911 purchases worldwide.



Looking forward, the all-electric Porsche Mission E will change the way we imagine electric vehicles with a 600 horsepower engine, a pulse pounding acceleration of 0 – 60 mph in under 3.5 seconds, a battery range of more than 300 miles with a charging time of only 15 minutes for approximately 80% capacity.



Park Place Porsche Grapevine



Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place Dealerships employs more than 2,000 people and operates 18 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Lotus, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Bugatti, McLaren, and Maserati. For more info, visit parkplace.com.


## Pages

### Our Work

our work				
																														
		Aardvark Communications specializes in driving business growth through a full spectrum of advertising, public relations, marketing, digital, and design services. We craft compelling stories, build memorable brands, and create innovative strategies that elevate your business across all platforms. From PR campaigns and social media management to creative design and traditional media, our expert team is dedicated to helping your brand thrive and achieve its full potential.		
					case studies				
							
						collins  vision					
						strategic patient acquisition					
						
							
						cargo  eye care					
						event strategy & promotion					
						
							
						u&i  dash					
						strategic media & social promotion					
						
							
						mr. & mrs.  blizzard					
						targeted PR campaign 					
						
							
						sundance  square					
						strategic public relations					
						
						city of  ennis					
						eclipse promotion					
						park place  dealership					
						supercar showcase					
							
						providence hill  academy					
						corporate identity					
						
					portfolio				
							
						event  management					
						PR & event management					
						
							
						photography					
						product, event &  location photography  & corporate headshots					
						
							
						ui/ux website  development					
						custom responsive website  development and design					
						
							
						social  media					
						paid & organic social strategies					
						
							
						public  relations					
						strategic patient acquisition					
						
							
						videography					
						
							
						media planning  & buying					
						strategic planning					
						
							
						digital advertising					
						digital marketing strategies and paid ad placements

### Case Study-Sundance Square

strategic  public relations  				
		Case Study for Sundance Square		
																														
					business challenge				
		Sundance Square, a 35-block mixed-use development in the heart of downtown Fort Worth, needed a strategic public relations partner to strengthen its relationship with the media, generate excitement around its retail, dining, and entertainment offerings, and enhance public perception of the development. Despite its status as a premier urban destination, the internal team was cautious about working with journalists and often avoided media opportunities for fear of inaccurate coverage. The challenge was to build trust internally and externally, create consistent positive visibility, and sustain that momentum over time.		
					situation				
		When Aardvark Communications began working with Sundance Square in 2004, the marketing team had limited engagement with local media. Relationships were strained, and the development’s leadership—including the CEO and real estate team—needed reassurance that media interactions could be beneficial and well-managed. Over the years, Sundance Square would experience both opportunities and challenges, including major tenant transitions, high-profile national events, and a transformative public space construction project.From Barnes & Noble’s closure to the openings of The Cheesecake Factory and H&M, from hosting ESPN’s broadcast headquarters for Super Bowl XLV to building a one-acre world-class plaza, Sundance Square needed proactive, strategic PR to secure positive coverage, manage difficult news cycles, and keep the district top-of-mind for both locals and visitors.		
					tactics deployed				
		Relationship Building – Hosted media lunches, provided insider access, and maintained open lines of communication to foster trust with reporters, producers and editors.Proactive Story Development – Created compelling narratives for new store openings, special events, and community activities to keep Sundance Square consistently in the news.Crisis Communications – Managed messaging for sensitive situations, including the closure of Barnes & Noble, by swiftly pivoting to promote new tenants and positive developments.Construction Communications Plan – Designed and executed an 18-month media strategy during the construction of the Sundance Square Plaza, keeping media engaged and building anticipation for the grand opening.Major Event Press Management – Oversaw all PR efforts for ESPN’s headquarters at Sundance Square during Super Bowl XLV, securing extensive local and national coverage even while navigating a historic ice storm.High-Impact Launches – Coordinated media coverage for grand opening events such as the 2013 Plaza unveiling, ensuring wall-to-wall media coverage from early morning to late night broadcasts and beyond.Earned Media Results – Over 15 years, Aardvark Communications generated tens of millions of dollars in earned media value, positioning Sundance Square as a vibrant, must-visit destination.		
					aardvark's approach				
		We focused on two priorities: building trust with the Sundance Square leadership team and fostering long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with journalists. We became a consistent, reliable point of contact between Sundance Square and the media—translating complex business updates into compelling stories that resonated with local, regional, and national audiences.We also recognized the importance of sustaining excitement over time, not just during milestone moments. This meant maintaining an ongoing PR rhythm through proactive pitching, timely press releases, and well-timed media events. When challenges arose, we provided guidance and messaging that protected the brand while ensuring transparency.

### Case Study-TDQ

targeted  PR campaign				
		Case Study for Texas Dairy Queen Operators’ Council (TDQOC)		
																														
					situation				
		Bride-to-be Olivia Morris tagged @dairyqueentx in a TikTok asking the brand to be part of her wedding to Bradley Blizzard — yes, her future last name would be Blizzard. Our creative partners at LOOMIS initiated the collaboration. Aardvark Communications was brought on to generate media coverage and amplify the story. The goal: turn a fun moment into a media-worthy, heartwarming campaign that celebrated the brand and the couple.		
					business challenge				
		TDQOC wanted to leverage a unique opportunity: a bride-to-be named Olivia Morris was marrying Bradley Blizzard — and asked Dairy Queen to be part of their big day. Aardvark Communications was responsible for creating media interest and generate widespread, positive coverage.		
					tactics deployed				
		Developed and distributed custom media pitches Secured national, regional, and lifestyle media placements Coordinated interviews and image usage Leveraged brand milestones tied to wedding season and summer Blizzard promotions		
					aardvark's approach				
		Aardvark crafted a targeted PR campaign positioning the "Mr. and Mrs. Blizzard" story as a joyful, made-for-summer feature. We focused on lifestyle, local, and national media outlets, leveraging custom pitches, media assets, and human-interest storytelling. By emphasizing authenticity and the unexpected brand tie-in, we created a media narrative that resonated emotionally and seasonally.		
					results				
		Aardvark Communications generated 340.8M+ media impressions, 287 placements, and $7.7M+ in earned media value — all with 100% positive sentiment.		
				Earned Media Placements			
				287
				Total Media Impressions			
				340.8M+
				Earned Media Value			
				$7.7M+
			Postive Sentiment			
				0
				%
		Campaign reinforced the iconic status of the Blizzard Treat and generated joyful engagement across all channelsFeature story in People Magazine

### Thank You

Thank you for your inquiry. Your form has been submitted successfully. We will reach out to you within the next business day. If you need immediate assistance, please call our office. Have a great day!

### Case Study-U&I

event  promotion				
		Case Study for U&I		
																														
					situation				
		U&I is a long-running charitable organization that provides job training and placement to individuals with disabilities and barriers to work. The Dash is a 5k run and family event that serves as one of their primary fundraising events each year. U&I wanted to significantly increase the organization’s profile and visibility of the event as well as increase participation.		
					business challenge				
		Generate awareness and attendance for major U&I fund raising event, the U&I Dash. Generate high-profile media opportunities for U&I CEO to communicate the organization’s mission.		
					tactics deployed				
		High-value media placements on local TV news programs, print, online, and radio stations before, during and after the event.Paid and organic social media to highlight the work the organization does on a daily basis within the disability community and to promote details of The U&I Dash.The U&I Dash included a 5k/1k run in the morning, children’s play area, live musical performances throughout the day, interactive art exhibit and art auctionAnnouncement posts in all local charity/timed run listingsGoogle Display and Adwords campaign targeting individuals searching for charity runs and family friendly eventsMulti-phased email campaign to U&I donors and supportersPSA’s on local radio networks		
					aardvark's approach				
		The agency leveraged a paid media campaign to generate awareness of the organization’s mission, to communicate the details of the event and drive engagement among followers and potential donors and to drive registrations for the 5k/1k run-walk. In addition, the agency executed an aggressive public relations plan to drive awareness for the event and build visibility for the CEO. 		
					aardvark-client partnership & collaboration				
		Agency worked with the U&I Creative Director to implement and extend graphic design template across all marketing materials.Agency also worked with U&I Leadership Team to ensure there was a longer window vs. prior years for PR and promotion, allowing for significantly greater media exposure and social engagement as evidenced by our results.		
					results				
		Media exposure, social metrics, race registrations and event attendance were all significantly higher vs. the prior year’s event, and the highest in the history of the event.		
				Total Media Placements in 2024			
				250+
				Value of PSA Media Placements			
				$83,000
				Google Campaign Clicks to Event Landing Page			
				7,000
				Paid Social Campaign Clicks to Event Landing Page			
				2,500
				Cumulative Marketing and PR Clicks to Event Landing Page			
				38,000
				Cumulative Marketing and PR Clicks to U&I Website			
				18,000
			Event Attendance			
				0
				 (+60%)
			Race Registrations			
				0
				 (+223%)

### Event Management

event management				
		Experiential marketing is right in our wheelhouse. Aardvark Communications has concepted and executed events of all types and sizes.  When people get up close and personal with your brand in exciting and intimate environments, this is where true connections are made.		
																														
		Aardvark Communications loves bringing people together. Come and go. Or stay and play.
We specialize in planning, marketing and executing unforgettable special events.

### Web Design & SEO

web design & seo				
		A strong web presence is a must! If potential customers can’t find you efficiently, they will move on to the next business.From design (what you see) to development (what you don’t) and all of the words and wisdom in between, we want to help you build a custom website that meets all of your needs.		
																														
															
								
												 seo  
					A great website does nothing if it can’t be found. That’s where we come in. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is not just a great tool to get more eyes on your website, it’s vital for site success.First, we have a strategy session to prioritize your online goals. Through analytics, we are constantly creating keyword lists. Then we make sure that your site says what it needs to say in order to show up at the top of search engine results. The easier you are to find, the more people end up on your website, which translates into more opportunities to capture new customers.
															
								
												 ui/ux  design
					We carefully optimize presentation and interactivity of content on your website to ensure users can navigate to the information that they want to find at ease.
															
								
												 custom  website development 
					If you want a template, we can do that, but where we really shine is a totally custom site – one that’s unique to you and your brand. Our experienced developers can make your website vision come to life.
															
								
												 responsive  web design
					Today’s websites need to function on more than one platform. Just think about all of the devices (and screen sizes) that consumers use. We take this into consideration from the start when we design and develop a website. As a business changes and grows, so should the content on the website. Not everyone can speak the language of the web, but we’ve got you covered.

### Media Planning & Buying

media planning & buying				
		When you want to go big, you have to make sure to target your audience in a variety of ways. At Aardvark, we thrive on creating multi-faceted marketing and advertising campaigns. Let us handle all of your media needs.		
																														
															
								
												 media planning  & buying
					There are no one-size-fits-all advertising plans. You must tailor your efforts to each audience you want to capture. How, when and why they connect with your brand is unique. A combination of strong traditional media (TV, Radio, Print, Billboards) with messaging that speaks to those you’re trying to reach is imperative to overall market success. We have a proprietary system for media buying and planning that gives you the most bang for your buck. To put it simply, we make your phones ring. We make you the “go to” for what you do and where you do it, through innovative, cost-effective marketing solutions.
															
								
												 strategic  planning
					Every goal is met with a well-laid plan. Throwing mud at the wall to see what sticks may work for some, but we prefer putting our heads together and coming up with a plan, personalized for you – for your business.
															
								
												 print, radio, outdoor & television 
					Traditional media is not dead, and we have creative ways to make it work for your business – trust us. We’ll get your well-crafted story in the right places at the right time.
															
								
												 integrated marketing  with traditional grassroots & digital elements
					Daily opportunities exist to connect with local communities at little to no cost to you. We facilitate meetings or event involvement with local chambers, non-profits and other businesses and organizations to educate your community on the products or services you provide.

### Digital Marketing

digital marketing				
		Digital marketing isn’t just an option—it’s essential. When people need a service, their first stop is the internet. Whether they’re searching on Google, scrolling through social media, or reading online reviews, your business needs to be visible exactly where and when they’re looking. That’s where we come in. With cutting-edge tools, data-driven strategies, and a deep understanding of consumer behavior, we position your brand for success—so you don’t just compete, you dominate.		
																														
															
								
												 seo
					A great website is useless if it can’t be found. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a great tool to get more eyes on your website. And it’s vital for your success.First, we have a strategy session to prioritize your online goals. Through analytics, we are constantly creating keyword lists. Then we make sure your site says what it needs to say to show up at the top of search engine results. The easier you are to find, the more people visit your website, which translates into more opportunities to capture new customers.
															
								
												 lead capture  tools
					Engaging your visitors and capturing their information is the number one goal of a website. Sure, you want to inform, but more importantly, you want every visitor to become a viable lead.​We analyze who’s on your site and what they’re doing so you can reach out to them again and again. Products like self-tests, contact boxes and exit-intent pop-ups are just the beginning of maximizing your online lead generation potential. We bring visitors to the site, keep them there through engaging content and give them every opportunity to say “hello.”
															
								
												 email  campaigns
					Have a sale or something new you want to promote? Let’s talk about it. Email is especially helpful to manage any ebbs, flows or seasonality of your business.By creating a robust and automated email campaign, you get your message across in an effective and efficient manner. We can craft compelling emails that are strategically timed and targeted to generate the most response. Email campaigns can be successfully used for the first touch or reactivating cold leads.
															
								
												 retargeting  ads
					Retargeting is unique in that it is not meant to introduce your product to your audience, it is reminding them of it.Here’s how retargeting works: Someone in the “research phase” visits your website – let’s call her Jane. She views a page or two. Jane gets distracted or isn’t quite ready to close the deal, so she leaves. If you’re not retargeting, Jane could be gone forever. If you are retargeting, Jane gets put on a list (your retargeting list.) Now when Jane visits a website or mobile app that serves ads (or is scrolling through social media) she will see your ad, again and again. The goal is to keep your brand in Jane’s mind, make her return to your website and this time, convert into a customer. This can be achieved with retargeting.
															
								
												google adwords paid search
					Paid search is a way to get your message in front of people who are searching for what you sell. In every Google search, there are a number of places at the top of search results that are given to brands that pay to be there. You need to be there.
															
								
												 display ads
					Display advertising functions much like paid search in that it is search-based. However, instead of being plain-text messages at the top of Google search results, display ads are images, videos or animations that appear on various websites. Therefore, they are not immediate results of a Google search. Instead, they are shown later, and they can be shown as a part of a retargeting campaign.
															
								
												 targeted  mobile ads
					People are on the go. It’s important to capture them with what makes sense and when it makes sense. With today’s mobile advertising technology, we can effectively target people based on the things they search, the places they go, the apps they download and more. Having someone visit your website is great. But what if those clicks are coming from people who aren’t even in your market? Don’t waste your time and money advertising to people who will never walk into your business. What your business needs is a targeted mobile advertising campaign directed to your desired audience. This makes sure that your campaigns are seen by your specific target market and will maximize your ROI.
															
								
												 review generation programs
					In the digital marketing world, people are more likely to trust what other people say about a business as opposed to what a company says about itself. What this means for business owners is that reviews on Facebook, Google and Yelp are extremely important. Our review generation program can amplify your reputation and will give you the opportunity to monitor and manage what people are saying about you online.
															
								
												 web chat
					Let’s be honest – everyone is a little impatient when browsing online. We live in an on-demand world and people want what they want when they want it. Having a chat service integrated into your website makes capturing leads so much easier. It gives that potential customer the opportunity to ask for whatever they might need and get an answer instantly – without feeling obligated to schedule an appointment or make a purchase. 
															
								
												 link building
					The “world wide web” is in fact a web. Think of it as a big spider web that you must weave with strong, readable and linkable content. It is no longer good enough to just have your content on your website (that’s just the beginning), you also have to have it on other websites. We can help build your web presence, one link at a time.
															
								
												marketing automation for  lead nurture
					A chronic issue most businesses face is converting digital leads to customers. We will work with your customer relationship management system and develop automated email, text and social media-driven responders that are carefully written to re-engage leads in the following days, weeks, months, and even years after they first called or filled out a form expressing their interest in your business.Through these engaging auto-responses, your business can reactivate leads that typically would have been thought dead and useless.

### Social Media

social media				
		Social media is the place to tell your story with content that interests your audience. But social media doesn’t stop at just your newsfeed, timeline or on your page. Paid social media ads can strategically position your business with targeted audiences. Aardvark Communications can help advance your social media and grow your audience.		
																														
															
								
												 customer  interaction
					Consistent, reliable communication on your social media channels can build relationships with potential customers and clients, creating a sense of trust and comfort with your brand.
															
								
												 community  management
					Keeping up with what is being said about your brand is key to managing your reputation. A first step in getting “in the know” is being active in the community. That means more than your physical community, neighborhood, or city. Carefully consider your social media community as well.
															
								
												yelp & google  review management
					As the two main places people turn for recommendations and reviews, Yelp and Google are constantly updated with customer and client experiences. The management and response of Yelp and Google reviews are done by our team in a timely manner to ensure customers know their review has been seen and taken into consideration.
															
								
												facebook, twitter, instagram & tiktok  strategy
					One platform is good, but multiple platforms may be even better. Each generation has a different interest level in different platforms – that’s why you should carefully evaluate which platform is right for your products or service. Our team plans, creates, and executes tailored content for various social media platforms.
															
								
												healthgrades & vitals management
					Healthgrades and Vitals are the “go to” review platforms for everything medical. They are extremely reputable websites to check before scheduling an appointment with a medical professional and are therefore crucial for medical practices to keep an eye on. We regularly monitor these sites as part of our reputation management for our medical clients.
															
								
												facebook & instagram  ads
					With paid social media advertising, we help our clients reach highly specific demographics. Through a sophisticated targeting platform, we create content and put it in front of the right people at the right time. The best part? This is one of the least expensive yet impactful methods to capture leads in real time and increase brand awareness.

### Creative

creative				
		At Aardvark Communications, our creative expertise is the cornerstone of effective branding and marketing campaigns. We excel in crafting cohesive brand identities and developing engaging strategies to connect with your audience. Let us bring your vision to life with our innovative and impactful creative solutions.		
																														
															
								
												 graphic  design
					Our team of talented creative professionals can bring even the most complicated ideas to life. Our design team has a full understanding of how color, images and copy work together to tell your company’s story.We specialize in print design, website design, digital design, signage, social media design and much more.
															
								
												corporate identity &  logo  design
					After consulting with you, we will design a corporate identity package to capture the essence of your brand. Our strategists and designers will carefully select colors and design elements that clearly and creatively communicate your product or company and establish standards for how the logo should be used in various situations.
															
								
												 messaging  strategy
					A brand is more than just a logo or set of colors. Making sure you maintain consistent messaging in a common voice is just as important as the visual elements of your brand.  Aardvark Communications takes your story and tells it through thoughtful headlines, taglines and slogans, ensuring you have a clear, concise messaging strategy.
															
								
												UI/UX & responsive  web design 
					Today’s websites need to function on more than one platform given all of the devices used to access the internet. We consider this from the beginning when we design and develop websites for our clients. We design your website to make it easy for users to navigate your site regardless of the device they use. As a business changes and grows, so should the content on the website. Not only will we build your site initially, but we’ll also help you maintain it over time, making sure your website grows with your business.
															
								
												 custom  website development
					Our clients deserve more than cookie-cutter website templates. We can create a custom site unique to you and your brand and make your website come to life.
															
								
												cohesive  collateral 
					From brochures and business cards to signs and branded merchandise, cohesive collateral enables you to put your story into the hands of customers. Our collateral artwork will make your job of communicating the ‘big picture’ much easier. And clear.
															
								
												 copywriting  
					We specialize in website copy, blog content, press releases, feature stories, ads, collateral, social media copywriting and more.
															
								
												 SEO  content writing
					No matter how beautifully they are written, webpage content and blogs don’t matter if no one reads them. That’s why our team makes sure your website is set up to hit the top of search engines, so you stand out. These keywords are carefully constructed to ensure a better ranking on search engines while maintaining clarity and relevance to your message.
															
								
												 photography
					Professional photography can take your marketing from average to wow instantly. From headshots to product photography and lifestyle shoots to event photography, we are ready to create photos that will capture your audience’s attention. And communicate your message.
															
								
												 videography
					Whether it’s a quick clip for social media, an informational or training video, a product video, or a fully produced tv spot, the messaging is equally important to the concept and execution. Who is the audience? How do we get their attention and communicate your message in an engaging yet memorable manner?
We look at the big picture. When you have a story to tell, Aardvark Communications is ready to roll. We have the experience and the connections to manage projects of any size and in any location. More importantly, we can help you craft the message that will create the appropriate reaction you’re looking for from your audience.
															
								
												 blogging
					Searchable, readable, relatable content is king. We’re here to help create it. We can take complicated topics and communicate them simply for your target audience. So they read it, understand it and trust what you have to say.To become a thought leader, and lead the competition, you must be telling your story effectively and often. That’s where we come in.
															
								
												 internal  design
					When a customer walks into your business, your branding should be consistent with the messaging you’ve put online and in the media. We can help bring your brand to life inside your business.This includes (but is not limited to):Uniform SelectionCommissioned Art and PostersOn-screen Display (video loops)Product-driven Peripherals (brochures, takeaways, table toppers, posters)Promotional Items (pens, cups, flash drives, etc.)These items not only expand the customer experience, they’re great ways to continue marketing to an audience that already knows and trusts your brand.

### Public Relations

public relations 				
		We craft powerful narratives and foster key relationships that elevate your brand. Our expert team strategically manages your reputation, engages your audience, and amplifies your message, ensuring your business shines in a crowded marketplace. Trust us to tell your story, protect your image, and drive your success.		
																														
															
								
												 media  relations
					Everyone loves a great story, and at Aardvark Communications, we’re experts at storytelling. We know how to deliver your message in a way that’s timely, credible, and unforgettable. With more than 30 years of experience across diverse industries, Aardvark Communications has earned a reputation for professionalism and reliability. We have established strong relationships with local, regional, and national media, making us a trusted partner for delivering impactful results.
															
								
												 crisis  communications
					It’s not a question of if something will go wrong, but when—and how your organization will respond. At Aardvark Communications, we’ve guided numerous clients through challenging and high-pressure situations. Timeliness, transparency, and truth are key to navigating a crisis. While strong media relationships are invaluable, there are times when trust must be earned quickly with reporters unfamiliar with our clients. Aardvark has a proven track record of establishing trust under pressure and ensuring that our clients’ stories are told with credibility and respect.
															
								
												media  training
					With decades of media experience, Aardvark Communications helps clients gain the confidence and skills needed to navigate the public spotlight. Whether facing a room full of cameras at a press conference or responding to an interview request, it’s essential that your spokesperson appears confident and composed. We offer professional training to ensure your key personnel can represent your organization with poise and professionalism.
															
								
												 strategic  planning
					Every project is a fun and new challenge, whether big or small, and we’re committed to bringing your vision to life. We know how to maximize your investment by collaborating with internal teams and external partners to develop a comprehensive strategy. Our approach integrates all messaging—both internal and external—and takes into account key factors such as target audience, market share, budget, current events, and marketplace dynamics. What’s your goal? Let’s make it happen.
															
								
												broad market & internal analysis
					For any media campaign to succeed, it must align with both your local market and your internal operations. At Aardvark Communications, we tailor each campaign to meet the specific needs of your business. We conduct a thorough market analysis, examining local media and competitors, while also optimizing your internal processes to ensure seamless execution. Our holistic approach ensures that your campaign resonates with your audience and drives success in your market.
															
								
												customer-facing  internal processes 
					Every business can benefit from evaluating the day-to-day processes that shape the customer experience, whether positively or negatively. We evalute how a team is handling sales conversations and conversions to help identify inefficiencies, simplify complex topics, and provide scripts or support materials for critical interactions. Our goal is to ensure that everything your team says and does builds trust and inspires confidence in your brand.
															
								
												 b2b  program development
					Just as important as prioritizing your individual customer is focusing on the importance of B2B program development. Let us help you set up and manage valuable referral relationships with businesses in your area.
															
								
												 staff  training & development
					A great customer experience starts with creating the most welcoming culture possible. Nurture it, and you will grow a base of loyal ambassadors to promote your business.Our customized, hands-on training shows you how to create and nurture the best possible culture, customer experience and five-star customer service.

### Blog

learn something new				
					as seen in the news

### Our Team

our leadership team				
																														
		At Aardvark Communications, we have the best talent in the industry to help our clients achieve their goals. We leverage the expertise of our dedicated team to deliver exceptional results. We’re committed to getting the job done on time, on budget, and always exceeding expectations. Because when you succeed, so do we.		
																														
					david alvey				
		founder & ceoDavid’s love of writing began more than four decades ago as a U.S. Navy Journalist serving on an aircraft carrier. He has won numerous awards as an advertising copywriter, broadcast producer and creative director before founding Aardvark Communications in 1992.“I’m proud of the relationships we’ve built with our clients, team members and peers. We set out to build a business on creativity and integrity. We’ve built some solid brands and amazing friendships along the way.”		
					Connect with David:				
					
						Linkedin
											
					
						Envelope
											
		From an early age, Carolyn knew she was born for a life in public relations, even before she understood what it was! Today, she is one of the most sought out experts in her industry. Carolyn’s knowledge of crisis communications and strategic planning, coupled with her creativity and ability to work effortlessly with the media, have been integral in her successful career.“Building long-term partnerships with our clients and sustaining meaningful relationships with the media have been the cornerstone of our business. As we have expanded our capabilities, we have the ability to offer our clients a full array of services with an outstanding team with decades of experience.”		
					Connect with Carolyn:				
					
						Linkedin
											
					
						Envelope
											
																														
					carolyn alvey				
		president		
																														
					rob sumner				
		vice president & director of client servicesRob’s family tree has its roots on Madison Avenue as his parents were both Mad Men-era ad execs. He’s kept the family tradition alive working in top agencies in NY, LA, Portland and Dallas. He’s even done some time on the client side to round out his marketing resume. Forging productive client relationships is what Rob does best and it’s the super power he brings to the Aardvark team.“Rolling up my sleeves and helping my clients find creative ways to solve their business problems is such joyful work. Building relationships based on transparency and trust allows us to do the very best work for our clients.”		
					Connect with Rob:				
					
						Linkedin
											
					
						Envelope
											
		As the Director of Digital & Media, he brings 20+ years of expertise in developing and executing innovative digital and traditional marketing strategies that deliver measurable results. He holds an MBA in Strategic Management and numerous awards as a producer and content creator. In his role at Aardvark Communications, Geoff oversees all aspects of digital and media strategy, including but not limited to social media marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, display advertising, content marketing, and influencer partnerships. "Digital media isn't the future; it's the present. As effective marketers, we must embrace its power to engage, influence, and convert audiences in transformative ways."		
					Connect with GEOFF:				
					
						Linkedin
											
					
						Envelope
											
																														
					geoff hays				
		director of digital & media		
																														
					kylie lupher				
		creative directorKylie’s creative journey spans over a decade as an art and creative director, now shining at Aardvark Communications. Kylie’s passion for branding, typography, and photography forms the foundation of her innovative approach to creative direction. Her keen eye and natural curiosity make her an introspective observer, adept at storytelling and design that transforms brands and captivates audiences."Graphic and visual design are more crucial than ever in today’s advertising arena, shaping how brands communicate and connect with their audiences. I’m thrilled to work alongside a dynamic team, bringing creativity and vision to life every day."		
					Connect with Kylie:				
					
						Linkedin
											
					
						Envelope

### Case Study-CAR

event strategy  & promotion				
		Case Study for Cargo Eye Care		
																														
					situation				
		Cargo Eye Care hosted an event at their practice office to celebrate their 15th anniversary. The event featured a trunk show from St. Laurent and Chloe eyewear as well as raffle prizes and giveaway items. The event served as a means of engaging with existing patients as well as generating sales and driving new prospects into the office.		
					business challenge				
		Our challenge was to generate awareness and attendance for Cargo Eye Care's 15th anniversary celebration event.		
					tactics deployed				
		Creation of anniversary event logo and campaign themesFacebook and Instagram campaign (events, posts, reels and stories)Digital Marketing (Facebook and Google display ads)Email campaigns to existing patientsEmail campaign targeted to select group of high-value customers offering exclusive access to St. Laurent and Chloe eyewearIn-office signage and collateralPartnered with eyewear manufacturers' reps to extend the reach and impact of the social media campaign		
					aardvark's approach				
		The agency developed a robust social media and email campaign to engage with patients and prospects for the three-week period leading up to the event.		
					aardvark-collins partnership & collaboration				
		Cargo Eye Care experienced remarkable success with our social media campaign generating improvements across various metrics. We achieved an increase of 5% in new followers, while average engagement rate per post skyrocketed by an impressive 96.25%. Non-follower engagement surged a remarkable 175%. Additionally, post-interactions soared by an incredible 368%, capturing increased audience attention. Most notably, social media to website conversion increased by 33.3%, reflecting the effectiveness of our tailored strategies in driving customer engagement and contributing to the overall success in their event.		
					results				
		Cargo Eye Care had the single best day of sales in their history, exceeding their typical daily sales volume by 360%.		
				Engagement Rate Per Social Post			
									96%
				Social Media Conversion Rate			
									33%
			INCREASED SALES			
				0
				%

### Case Study-CV

strategic  patient acquisition				
		Case Study for Collins Vision		
																														
					situation				
		Collins Vision is a mid-size ophthalmology practice with offices in Fort Myers and Naples, Florida. While the Fort Myers office was well established, the Naples office needed support to increase awareness and build patient growth. At the same time, the practice wanted to maintain the current patient volume in Fort Myers.		
					business challenge				
		Our challenge was to grow the patient database for the Naples office location while maintaining the Fort Myers office patient volume.		
					tactics deployed				
		Develop marketing budget and media plan to achieve desired KPIsDigital advertising - paid search and displaySocial media - paid and organicBlogs and website contentVideo - broadcast and streamingRadio - broadcast and streamingEmail campaigns - to patients, prospects and OD referral networkNewspaperInternal collateral, brochures and signageOD Referral support materialsEvent support - promotional items, signage, lead generation and follow-up		
					aardvark's approach				
		The agency developed a multifaceted campaign to increase awareness of the Naples office and drive qualified leads and web traffic for both locations. We also worked with the internal team at Collins Vision on lead tracking and management to improve lead conversion to new patient volume.		
					aardvark-collins partnership & collaboration				
		The agency met weekly with the practice manager to review the status of all ongoing projects and track business KPIs. A monthly summary was prepared for the practice providers to review progress made against the business growth objectives. Campaign tactics were continuously optimized to ensure maximum ROI on advertising spend.		
					results				
		Exceeded New Patient (NP) Volume goals for both Fort Myers and Naples year to date and overall YTD.		
				Fort Myers			
									31%
				Naples			
									100%
				Overall			
									43%

### Our Clients

our clients				
																														
		 Aardvark Communications takes pride in building lasting partnerships rooted in trust and results. Our clients value our unwavering commitment to excellence. Through strategic positioning and flawless execution, we consistently deliver measurable success. Our growth is a direct reflection of our clients' achievements, with nearly all new business coming from referrals.		
																														
																														
																														
																														
																														
																														
																														
																														
																														
																														
																														
																														
																														
																														
																														
																														
																														
																														
																														
																														
																														
																														
																														
																														
																														
																														
			
			
									
									
									
									
									
									
									
									
									
									
						Highly professional and consistently reliable, Aardvark Communications is extremely adept at cultivating positive interactions between client businesses and news journalists. As a member of the local media, I appreciate the team’s dedication to providing clear and detailed information as well as their impressive hospitality at events and quick response time when follow up is requested. Collaborative efforts on a spectrum of upmarket projects have continually proven to be mutually beneficial partnerships.
								Sherri TilleyPublisher, The Flash List			
						I have had the pleasure of working with Aardvark Communications for the past year. They have been instrumental in growing our optometry business with strategic marketing and building our brand awareness though our website and social media design. They do a great job of researching topics and designing professional digital and print material to support new services or products within our practice.  I never have to teach them about the subject, but rather their team will do the research and plan and implement the material needed for us to be successful. In addition to optimizing our online search, they also provide customized social media creative content and respond to all our online reviews personally and timely.  Rob has been excellent to work with and personally meets with me in my office and to make sure that they're supporting all our needs. Our goal is to be the best eye care providers in the community and they make sure that we look the part! Thanks Aardvark! I highly recommend them.					
								Jon Cargo, ODOptometrist			
						I have had the pleasure of working with David, Carolyn and the team for over a decade and have truly enjoyed every moment! Carolyn and David bring a lot of great ideas to the table and are always there in moments of crisis as well. Their team has assisted us in several different ways from crisis communication, PR, social media, video development and newsletters. You will enjoy their attention to detail and professionalism. Additionally, their main goal is always "what is best" for the client and you can truly tell! I highly recommend giving Aardvark a go. You will not be disappointed!					
								Anam HashambhaiMarketing Director			
						Great professional team, helped our team get the Park Place Luxury and Supercar showcase on the map. With their amazing contacts and support we were able to go from a startup to an event that garnered national attention in just 3 years. No way we could have done this without all Aardvark’s help. Carolyn, David and their whole team are the best.					
								Jed SiddleLuxury & Supercar Showcase Committee			
						At McLaren we have worked extensively with the Aardvark Communications team, both on Texas area PR, events and our HQ opening. They are consistently innovative, professional and a pleasure to work with. Above all - they deliver the results.					
								Roger OrmisherVP Communications, McLaren Automotive 			
						Anytime I get an email from my friends at Aardvark I read it right away, because I know it’s going to be about something wonderful! Aardvark has the best clients and they host exciting events that attract both media members, and the listeners and viewers we connect with each day.					
								Starlene StringerRadio Personality & Speaker			
						A professional and hard-working group. Aardvark helped us promote a multi year charity event. Their involvement helped grow the event to one of the largest in the state of Texas. Their involvement was instrumental in the success.					
								Brian RatcliffFounder, Heights Car Show			
						Have used Aardvark for over 10 years and they have been consistently one of our best partners. Professional, available at all times, and knows the DFW market better than anyone you can find.					
								Jason MartinHawaiian Falls Waterparks			
						Aardvark is top notch. They deliver over and above time and again. Totally professional, totally personal, totally on point. Highly recommended.					
								Rawd B. JonesFounder, REPLENISH			
						We have worked with the Aardvark team for many years, and they're absolutely one of a kind. They're incredibly knowledgeable and are truly experts in their field. But what makes them really stand out is the way they care for their clients. They're as kind as they are professional and their communication is top notch. I highly recommend this team - you can't go wrong!					
								Valerie FarrellCity Center Fort Worth			
						Carolyn and her team at Aardvark have been my resource for public relations and crisis communications for more than 20 years. I have worked with Carolyn when I was a Regional Marketing Director for Simon Property Group in DFW and for most of my 18 years as the Director of Marketing of Sundance Square. We built a partnership in communications, I am very proud of. We had many stellar moments from announcing the ESPN footprint in Sundance Square for the 2011 Super Bowl to the introduction of the Sundance Square Plaza. The list is long and varied from building announcements to new tenants. All were handled with extreme professionalism. Where Carolyn really shines is when all is not rosy. We had our share of tough situations over the years and I learned so much during that time. I always was able to communicate to ownership with confidence the story was being told accurately and fairly. Carolyn has become a personal friend over these many years and her integrity and ethics run through every aspect of her life.					
								Tracy GilmourFormer Marketing Director, Sundance Square			
						The words "incredible" and "awesome" are often overused, but when I think about how to describe Aardvark Communications...those words simply aren't strong enough. I am the CEO at Wipe Out Kids' Cancer and we recently hired Aardvark for assistance on a critical fundraising initiative. The experience and the results could not have been better...we set a record and could not have done it without them! When you work with this group, you immediately recognize the amazing culture, the attention to detail, the profound expertise and the desire to "win" for you and your company. It is not another job for them...its their passion and they are "all in" on delivering tangible results that do more than simply "move the needle". I give my highest endorsement to Aardvark Communications and I would tell anyone who asks, to give them your business - it will be the best decision you make this year and you will enjoy the process. Aardvark is incredible AND awesome and it won't take long before you feel that way as well.					
								Kristopher CumnockWipe Out Kids' Cancer CEO

### Contact

Contact Us		
		Schedule a free consultation with Aardvark Communications to see how a strategic public relations and/or marketing program can positively impact your business.

### Capabilities

our capabilities				
					custom  marketing &  public relations  solutions 				
							
									
						public relations					
						Aardvark Communications specializes in public relations. We approach every project as a partnership. Big or small, we can help your vision come to life.					
						
					
									LEARN MORE >>
					
							
									
						creative					
						Good branding and good marketing campaigns are dependent on good creative. Aardvark Communications is here to help you create a cohesive brand identity and build engaging ways to reach your audience.					
						
					
									LEARN MORE >>
					
							
									
						social media					
						Tell your story and engage your audience on social media. Beyond your newsfeed and page, leverage paid social media ads to strategically reach targeted audiences and boost your business.					
						
					
									LEARN MORE >>
					
							
									
						digital marketing					
						Digital marketing is a must. Where do people go when they're in search of a service? The internet, of course. So you need to be in the right place at the right time. We have the tools and strategies to put you there.					
						
					
									LEARN MORE >>
					
							
									
						media planning & buying					
						When you want to go big, you have to make sure you're targeting your audience in a variety of ways. At Aardvark, multi-faceted marketing and advertising campaign is what we thrive at.					
						
					
									LEARN MORE >>
					
							
									
						web design & seo					
						A strong web presence is a must! If potential customers can't find you efficiently, they will move on to the next business. From design to development, we want to help you build a custom website that meets all your needs.					
						
					
									LEARN MORE >>
					
							
									
						event management					
						Aardvark Communications has created all types and sizes of events from concept through execution and even post-event publicity and reporting. Indoor. Outdoor. Rain or shine.					
						
					
									LEARN MORE >>

### About Us

https://aardvarktx.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Copy-of-About-Us_Aard-Website-2.mp4		
					about aardvark communications				
		At Aardvark Communications, our team delivers tailored strategies and expert insights to connect with your target market in fresh, innovative ways. We focus on results that give your business a competitive edge, driving growth and success.		
					
									OUR WORK
					
					
									OUR CLIENTS
					
																														
					 who we are				
		Founded in 1992 by David Alvey, Aardvark Communications was built on the belief that strong client relationships are the foundation of success. We provide a full array of services including advertising, public relations, digital marketing, creative, media planning and buying, social media, and web design/SEO. We deliver everything from ideation and strategy to development and execution. Our mission is to partner with clients, fostering personal and professional growth as we bring their vision to life. We transform business information into compelling messages that resonate with your target audience.		
					meet our leadership team				
					powered by our people				
							
						DAVID					
						CEO & Founder					
						
							
						CAROLYN					
						President					
						
							
						ROB					
						Vice President					
						
							
						GEOFF					
						Director of Digital & Media					
						
							
						KYLIE					
						Creative Director					
						
					
									MEET OUR TEAM

### Homepage

elevate your brand.stand out  from the crowd.				
					
									SEE OUR WORK
					
					welcome to aardvark communications: 
bringing your brand to life through advertising, PR, design, and digital media				
		We go beyond crafting key messages — at Aardvark Communications, we create compelling stories to captivate and engage your audience across all platforms. Since 1992, we’ve powered innovative strategies for a diverse range of clients, delivering success through expert advertising, public relations, digital marketing, creative design, social media management, and traditional media solutions. Our holistic approach ensures that every facet of your brand is aligned, impactful, and ready to thrive in today’s fast-paced media landscape. Our success is reflected in the success of our clients, built on long-standing partnerships and industry-leading innovation.		
					
									OUR CAPABILITIES
					
																
															
					public relations				
																
															
					digital marketing				
																
															
					creative				
																
															
					social media				
																
															
					media planning & buying				
																
															
					web design & seo				
																
															
					event management				
					let's talk about how we can take 
your brand to the next level				
					
									GIVE US A SHOUT
					
																														
					tailored solutions, lasting impact				
		At Aardvark, we understand that one size doesn't fit all. That's why we're dedicated to meeting the distinctive needs of each client we serve. Our approach is not just about delivering messages; it's about creating experiences that leave a lasting imprint. Whether you're a seasoned industry leader or a rising star, our commitment is to provide results that give your business a competitive advantage.		
					
									Let's get to work
					
											
					
									our clients

### Privacy Policy

privacy policy		
		
Your privacy is critically important to us.
Aardvark Communications is located at:
Aardvark Communications,  972-423-4144
 
It is Aardvark Communications’s policy to respect your privacy regarding any information we may collect while operating our website. This Privacy Policy applies to https://www.aardvarktx.com/ (hereinafter, "us", "we", or " https://www.aardvarktx.com/ "). We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting personally identifiable information you may provide us through the Website. We have adopted this privacy policy ("Privacy Policy") to explain what information may be collected on our Website, how we use this information, and under what circumstances we may disclose the information to third parties. This Privacy Policy applies only to information we collect through the Website and does not apply to our collection of information from other sources.
This Privacy Policy, together with the Terms and conditions posted on our Website, set forth the general rules and policies governing your use of our Website. Depending on your activities when visiting our Website, you may be required to agree to additional terms and conditions.
 
Website Visitors
Like most website operators, Aardvark Communications collects non-personally-identifying information of the sort that web browsers and servers typically make available, such as the browser type, language preference, referring site, and the date and time of each visitor request. Aardvark Communications’s purpose in collecting non-personally identifying information is to better understand how Aardvark Communications’s visitors use its website. From time to time, Aardvark Communications may release non-personally-identifying information in the aggregate, e.g., by publishing a report on trends in the usage of its website.
Aardvark Communications also collects potentially personally-identifying information like Internet Protocol (IP) addresses for logged in users and for users leaving comments on https://www.aardvarktx.com/ blog posts. Aardvark Communications only discloses logged in user and commenter IP addresses under the same circumstances that it uses and discloses personally-identifying information as described below.
 
Gathering of Personally-Identifying Information
Certain visitors to Aardvark Communications’s websites choose to interact with Aardvark Communications in ways that require Aardvark Communications to gather personally-identifying information. The amount and type of information that Aardvark Communications gathers depends on the nature of the interaction. For example, we ask visitors who sign up for a blog at https://www.aardvarktx.com/ to provide a username and email address.
 
Security
The security of your Personal Information is important to us, but remember that no method of transmission over the Internet, or method of electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your Personal Information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.
 
Advertisements
Ads appearing on our website may be delivered to users by advertising partners, who may set cookies. These cookies allow the ad server to recognize your computer each time they send you an online advertisement to compile information about you or others who use your computer. This information allows ad networks to, among other things, deliver targeted advertisements that they believe will be of most interest to you. This Privacy Policy covers the use of cookies by Aardvark Communications and does not cover the use of cookies by any advertisers.
 
Links To External Sites
Our Service may contain links to external sites that are not operated by us. If you click on a third party link, you will be directed to that third party's site. We strongly advise you to review the Privacy Policy and terms and conditions of every site you visit.
We have no control over, and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies or practices of any third party sites, products or services.
 
Aggregated Statistics
Aardvark Communications may collect statistics about the behavior of visitors to its website. Aardvark Communications may display this information publicly or provide it to others. However, Aardvark Communications does not disclose your personally-identifying information.
 
Cookies
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## My Templates

### Case Study Block

sundance  square					
						strategic public relations					
						
						city of  ennis					
						eclipse promotion					
						park place  dealership					
						supercar showcase					
							
						providence hill  academy					
						corporate identity

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media planning & buying				
																
															
					web design & seo				
																
															
					event management

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public relations				
																
															
					digital marketing				
																
															
					creative				
																
															
					social media

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media planning & buying				
			
						
					web design & seo				
			
						
					event management

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public relations				
			
						
					digital marketing				
			
						
					creative				
			
						
					social media

### Service Template

public relations 		
		We excel in crafting compelling narratives and building strong relationships that elevate your brand. Our expert team strategically manages your reputation, engages your audience, and amplifies your message to ensure your business stands out in a crowded marketplace. Trust us to tell your story and drive your success.		
																										
					
															
								
												 media  relations
					Everyone loves a good story. At Aardvark Communications, we’re excellent storytellers. And we know how to get the message out so it’s timely, credible and memorable.  With more than 30 years of experience working with a wide range of clients in diverse industries, Aardvark Communications has built a reputation for being professional and reliable with local, regional and national media.
															
								
												 crisis  communications
					It’s not a matter of if something can go wrong… it’s when? And the most important question is: How are you going to respond? Aardvark Communications has successfully helped many clients navigate volatile situations. It is imperative to be timely, transparent and truthful.  Having a great relationship with the media goes a long way in establishing trust and credibility. But when you have a crisis or situation, there are times where we must quickly establish trust and respect with reporters who may not be familiar with us or our client. Aardvark has a great track record of establishing trust under pressure.
															
								
												media  training
					Aardvark Communications has decades of experience dealing with the media. And we’ve helped many clients become more comfortable and competent when dealing with the public spotlight.​Whether you’re facing a press conference with a room full of cameras or simply responding to an interview request, it is imperative that the company spokesperson be confident and relaxed. Aardvark Communications’ team members often act as spokespersons for our clients. But we can also train your key people to respond in a professional manner.
															
								
												 strategic  planning
					Aardvark Communications specializes in developing public relations and marketing programs that are as unique as our clients. We approach each plan as a new challenge. Big or small, we can help bring your vision to life.​Aardvark Communications knows how to get our clients the most bang for their buck. We work with a client’s internal staff and appropriate external partners to develop a comprehensive plan that works with any and all internal/external messaging.Target audience, market share, budget, current events and marketplace dynamics are just a few of the factors we consider when creating a strategic plan for a client. What’s your goal?
															
								
												broad market & internal analysis
					Any media campaign needs to align with your local market and with how your business runs, or it will not succeed. At Aardvark Communications, we carefully craft every campaign to work best for your organization and its needs.We will perform a thorough analysis of your local market, including a healthy look at local media and your competition. And at the same time, we will optimize your internal operations to ensure success in your market.
															
								
												customer-facing  internal processes 
					Every business can benefit from taking a closer look at the day-to-day processes your team performs that impact your customers (either negatively or positively).To help, we look at how your team is handling sales conversations, so we can identify any inefficiencies, add clarity to complicated topics, and offer scripts or support pieces to help navigate those critically important conversations. Let’s make sure everything your team members say and do is building trust and inspiring confidence in your brand.
															
								
												 b2b  program development
					Just as important as prioritizing your individual customer is focusing on the importance of B2B program development. Let us help you set up and manage valuable referral relationships with businesses in your area.
															
								
												 staff  training & development
					A great customer experience starts with creating the most welcoming culture possible. Nurture it, and you will grow a base of loyal ambassadors to promote your business.Our customized, hands-on training shows you how to create and nurture the best possible culture, customer experience and five-star customer service.

### Case Study

strategic  patient acquisition		
		Case Study for Collins Vision		
																										
			business challenge		
		Our challenge was to grow the patient database for the Naples office location while maintaining the Fort Myers office patient volume.		
					
			situation		
		Collins Vision is a mid-size ophthalmology practice with offices in Fort Myers and Naples, Florida. While the Fort Myers office was well established, the Naples office needed support to increase awareness and build patient growth. At the same time, the practice wanted to maintain the current patient volume in Fort Myers.		
			tactics deployed		
		Develop marketing budget and media plan to achieve desired KPIsDigital advertising - paid search and displaySocial media - paid and organicBlogs and website contentVideo - broadcast and streamingRadio - broadcast and streamingEmail campaigns - to patients, prospects and OD referral networkNewspaperInternal collateral, brochures and signageOD Referral support materialsEvent support - promotional items, signage, lead generation and follow-up		
			aardvark's approach		
		The agency developed a multifaceted campaign to increase awareness of the Naples office and drive qualified leads and web traffic for both locations. We also worked with the internal team at Collins Vision on lead tracking and management to improve lead conversion to new patient volume.		
			aardvark-collins partnership & collaboration		
		The agency met weekly with the practice manager to review the status of all ongoing projects and track business KPIs. A monthly summary was prepared for the practice providers to review progress made against the business growth objectives. Campaign tactics were continuously optimized to ensure maximum ROI on advertising spend.		
			results		
		Exceeded New Patient (NP) Volume goals for both Fort Myers and Naples year to date and overall YTD.		
						
				Fort Myers			
									31%
				Naples			
									100%
				Overall			
									43%

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