Bringing BUSINESSES & TEXANS togetherWhere creative meets community
101Media began with a simple idea: helping people discover and engage with the cities they call home. It all started with Dallasites101—a local guide to Dallas culture, events, and businesses—which has since grown into 101Media, a full-service marketing and events agency dedicated to connecting people and businesses to communities across Texas.
Bridging the gap between businesses and their audiences
It’s a big state and even bigger competition where standing out means more than just being seen—it means being trusted. Whether it’s connecting with the right audience, sharing a story that resonates, or finding your edge in the hustle, the challenge is real.
At 101Media, we’re boots on the ground, giving your brand the local street credibility it needs to thrive. With hyper-local expertise, authentic storytelling, and bold creativity, we’ll help you build genuine connections and make a Texas-sized impression.
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marketing campaigns we run monthly
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Texans we connect with each week
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community events we host every year
discover what we can do for you
Through social content, digital marketing, live events, and curated experiences, we create moments that bring people together and help businesses grow.
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Marketing
We help businesses engage with local audiences through strategies as bold as the Lone Star State itself. From creative campaigns to tailored marketing, we make sure your story doesn’t just show up—it shines. With our local expertise and innovative approach, we help brands build lasting connections that drive real results.
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Communities
Through our Communities division, we connect businesses with local audiences across social and digital channels. From Dallas to Fort Worth, Austin to our statewide Texans brand, we help businesses reach their audience through targeted advertising and authentic engagement. By championing local businesses, we turn followers into customers and communities into loyal advocates.
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Events
From grand openings to markets to exclusive media previews, we create opportunities for businesses to connect with their audiences. Sponsor one of our community events or hire us to plan and execute a custom brand activation. With expertise in planning, design, marketing, and execution, we ensure every detail reflects your brand and delivers results.
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Passports
Passports connect businesses with their audiences in a tangible, fun, and impactful way. We put your brand on the map—and into the hands of the right people. These curated booklets showcase the best of local culture, driving your target customers directly to your location.
Marketing
We help businesses engage with local audiences through strategies as bold as the Lone Star State itself. From creative campaigns to tailored marketing, we make sure your story doesn’t just show up—it shines. With our local expertise and innovative approach, we help brands build lasting connections that drive real results.
Communities
Through our Communities division, we connect businesses with local audiences across social and digital channels. From Dallas to Fort Worth, Austin to our statewide Texans brand, we help businesses reach their audience through targeted advertising and authentic engagement. By championing local businesses, we turn followers into customers and communities into loyal advocates.
Events
From grand openings to markets to exclusive media previews, we create opportunities for businesses to connect with their audiences. Sponsor one of our community events or hire us to plan and execute a custom brand activation. With expertise in planning, design, marketing, and execution, we ensure every detail reflects your brand and delivers results.
Passports
Passports connect businesses with their audiences in a tangible, fun, and impactful way. We put your brand on the map—and into the hands of the right people. These curated booklets showcase the best of local culture, driving your target customers directly to your location.
Meet the founders Who turned belonging into a business
In 2015, Kara Cecala had an idea sparked by her own experience moving to Dallas: to create a resource that helped people not just navigate a new city but truly feel at home. She wanted to build a sense of belonging for newcomers and locals alike, connecting them to the people, places, and businesses that make a city come alive.
When Kara shared her vision with Lily KT Smith, an adventurer and storyteller at heart, it didn’t take much convincing. Lily’s passion for discovery and love of building something from the ground up made her the perfect partner. Together, they turned a simple idea into 101Media, a platform that connects communities, supports local businesses, and creates experiences worth talking about.
our leadership team
Meet the dedicated leaders driving 101Media forward with innovative strategies and a passion for local connections. With expertise and vision, they guide the 101 team to create magic both online and off.
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Natalie Draeger
Marketing
Natalie is a marketing strategist with a strong business foundation. With a Marketing and Finance degree and an MBA from Oklahoma State, she leads 101Media’s marketing team, building strategies and lasting client relationships. Named one of AAF Dallas’s Top 20 Women in Marketing, Natalie is dedicated to helping clients achieve standout results.
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Jenna Waters
Events
Jenna brings a dynamic career in hospitality, event planning, and communications to her role at 101Media. A graduate of the University of Oklahoma, she combines her diverse professional experience with a solutions-driven approach to lead every aspect of event strategy. From high-level planning to seamless execution, Jenna creates experiences that leave lasting impressions on sponsors, partners and attendees alike.
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Michelle Caudle
Sales
Michelle brings extensive experience in digital marketing, sales leadership, and influencer strategy to 101Media. A graduate of Auburn University with a degree in Marketing, she excels in multi-platform advertising and CRM systems. At 101Media, Michelle drives strategic growth for our communities and events, crafting impactful client partnerships.
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Anna McSwiggen
Communities
As Communities Director, Anna leads our thriving communities—Dallasites101, Austinites101, Fort Worthians101, and Texans101. Over four years, she has evolved from creating newsletters to launching digital platforms and shaping cross-platform content strategies. Anna focuses on meaningful engagement, strategic growth, and empowering her team to create a sense of belonging, ensuring 101Media remains a trusted guide for locals and newcomers alike.
“Working with 101Media was a game-changer for our New Year’s Eve event. Their post generated an incredible buzz, and we sold out in just 2 hours—a result we’ve never seen before! Their expertise and support truly made all the difference in making our event a huge success.”
The Henry