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2014 US Conference of Mayors Event Images

Photo Courtesy: Justin Terveen

Click HERE for complete conference images.

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JUST BRAND IT: Empowering Girl Power @DailyWorth

Inspiring viral videos and headlines in major media outlets, a 2013 study from the Institute for Women's Policy Research revealed that though the U.S. economy continues to make a comeback, earning percentages for females are getting “marginally worse," and women fighting for workplace equality have a new champion in the battle for better wages - entrepreneur Amanda Steinberg, founder of DailyWorth. Aiming to decrease the income gap and help women become more financially savvy, Steinberg launched the online platform to provide critical support and expert advice for empowered women, and we'll tell you how her brand is redefining girl power. 

THE BRAND

Company: DailyWorth

Founder: Amanda Steinberg

Established: 2009

Website:  DailyWorth.com

Connect: Find DailyWorth on Facebook and Twitter.

THE BRIGHT APPROACH

Social Status: On track to hit one million followers by the close of 2013, DailyWorth has become the go-to source for financial advice for many professional women. Offering tips and advice on everything from mortgages to how to get the most bang for your buck when visiting the salon, the brand's social networks reflect the site's success, and DailyWorth boasts more than 50,000 combined fans on Facebook and Twitter. 

Key Takeaways: DailyWorth's content strategy represents a unique blend of personal and professional expertise, and brands hoping to establish a meaningful yet powerful connection to their audience can adopt the platform's smart approach by taking two key steps. 

Deliver actionable intelligence. Combining executive advice with real stories - and real solutions - from working women, DailyWorth provides actionable intelligence for fearless females developing their careers and personal lives. Featuring game-changers like education entrepreneur Alison Johnston Rue and lifestyle leader Kellee Khalil, the site offers diverse perspectives, and brands can utilize DailyWorth's multi-faceted strategy to build a stronger following by focusing on online interaction, content sharing, and commentary from innovators in both directly and indirectly related industries. 

Keep it simple. Whether helping readers start a business, buy a home, or manage a budget, DailyWorth sticks to the basics when packaging content, and the platform delivers easily applicable advice - and generates traffic - with catchy, candid articles such as "4 Strategies to Fight Financial Stress" or "5 Ways to Get Free Beauty Treatments." The site's digitally sticky style underscores the power of simplicity, and brands seeking additional attention from and connection with their audience should present streamlined content that reflects the voice of the reader. 

 THE BOLD BACKSTORY   

From the Beginning: Having experienced financial planning challenges both personally and professionally, Steinberg recognized the need for a female-focused, business-minded media company. Steinberg is a thought-leader on the topic of women and money, working to advance women's financial confidence and wealth. Launching DailyWorth in 2009, Steinberg set out to help women build wealth, become entrepreneurs, and break the proverbial glass ceiling through innovation, and the brand skyrocketed to success when investors including Google's executive chairman, Eric Schmidt, jumped on board her dynamic mission.  

Fearless Leader: Philadelphia-based Steinberg balances motherhood, media leadership, and major on-air appearances for outlets including CNN, NBC, ABC, and FOX. Remaining actively engaged in her company as the CEO of DailyWorth, the Columbia graduate is also a sought-after speaker, and she frequently takes the stage to educate women on professional development and personal finance. 

 Star Power: Steinberg's status as a thought-leader keeps her brand in the spotlight, and DailyWorth has been featured in prominent publications such as the New York Times, TIME, Forbes, Cosmopolitan, and Parenting. 

Looking to generate strong branding for your business? To find out how Brandpointe can put you and your company in the spotlight by helping you develop a fabulous following, we invite you to join us online via our website, Facebook, and Twitter pages!

***By utilizing Just Brand It to highlight dynamic organizations, On Pointe seeks to underscore Brandpointe’s key objective - inspiring and assisting businesses and individuals in developing unique marketing and branding initiatives. Just Brand It is not advertorial in nature, and the content featured within the column is neither paid for nor sponsored by a third-party.*** 

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COOL TOOL TUESDAY: The Season's Greatest Gadget Gift Guides

'Tis the season for gift guides galore, and we've tracked down this year's top technology wish lists to help you wrap up your holiday shopping in record time. From great gadgets to cool tools, we'll tell you where to score expert advice on stocking stuffers for tech lovers. 

Combining high-tech with holiday cheer, the season's best gadget gift guides offer innovative kicks, turntables, and plug-ins. 

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS: TECH GIFT GUIDE 

A Cool Tool For: Buyers on a budget. 

Tech It Out: For the best finds under $100; our picks among the news outlet's 30-plus gift recommendations include Audiology's skull speakers (pictured; UrbanOutfitters.com, $40) and C. Wonder's tablet stylus (pictured; CWonder.com, $18).

FORBES: HIGH-END GUIDE FOR THE TECH OBSESSED

A Cool Tool For: Shoppers seeking big ticket items. 

Tech It Out: For truly impressive gifts for audiophiles and globetrotters; we're coveting Pro-Ject's Debut Carbon Turntable (pictured; Amazon.com, $400) and Audeze's LCD-3 headphones (Audeze.com, $1,945). 

XCONOMY: HIGH-TECH HOLIDAYS | THE 2013 XPERIENCE GIFT GUIDE

A Cool Tool For: Those sourcing gifts for true gadget gurus.  

Tech It Out: For ingenious finds that turn homes, cars, offices, and devices into technological wonders. We want Google's Chromecast plug-in (pictured; Google.com, $35); Nomiku's Immersion kitchen inventions (Nomiku.com, from $200); and Spira's Wave-Spring running shoes (pictured; Shop.Spira.com, from $79.95), which are produced in nearby El Paso, Texas. 

Have a dynamic online platform, network, or product you want to tell us about? Touch base with Brandpointe through Facebook and Twitter to tell us which cool tools you’re using now!

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SOCIALIZED: Meet the Stars of the Season's Most Fashionable Fete

Want to celebrate the holidays by getting all dressed up for a great cause? We'll tell you how to take part in the polished party that's bringing together Big D's style stars to support one of our community's most critical resources. 

GO: To Beverly Drive Magazine's Wish Book Party and kickoff bash for Fashion Stars for a Cause, benefitting the Suicide and Crisis Center of North Texas. Taking place on December 13, 6 to 9 p.m., at the PlaneSmart Aviation Hangar in Addison, the chic soiree will feature champagne, sweet treats, and a sneak peek at the city's latest lineup of trendsetters; simply submit your reply to RSVP@beverlydrivemagazine.com to get on the guest list.

GATHER: Among a bevy of beauties, including the 12 stylish women who have been chosen to represent Fashion Stars for a Cause; this year's roster boasts tastemakers such as handbag hottie Ashley Burghardt, founder and designer of Ashard Richley; lifestyle entrepreneur Toni Munoz-Hunt; television personality and producer Janee Harrell-Hill; and Big D's favorite blogger, Cynthia Smoot, founder of Oh So Cynthia. 

GIVE: To one of Dallas' most important resources, the Suicide and Crisis Prevention Center of North Texas; helping individuals and families find hope for the future, the organization's life-saving services provide critical counseling and intervention efforts for our community, and you can show your support for the worthy cause by joining the Fashion Stars for a Cause initiative. 

GREET: Get to know the fabulous founder of Fashion Stars for a Cause, Yvonne Crum, on Facebook, and meet fellow fans and followers through the event page or via Beverly Drive Magazine; to learn more about the party's philanthropic mission, visit SCCenter.org. 

Have a dynamic event you want to tell us about? Touch base with Brandpointe through Facebook and Twitter to fill us in on the haute happenings you're following this winter!

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FOLLOW THIS!: Buying for the Boy's Club with @WAREHausDallas

They're notoriously picky, yet typically indecisive; wary of trends, but often prone to style mistakes; and buying for the boy's club is the most challenging task of the Christmas shopping season. We'll help solve your greatest gifting conundrum - and turn your man into a gentleman - with a Follow Friday source that delivers sartorial goods and solid fashion guidance. 

A peek inside WAREHaus' winter wardrobe wonderland; check out the polished collections at the shop's Uptown venue, 3699 McKinney Avenue.

LOVE IT: Because WAREHaus is your one-stop shop for stylish finds that'll suit even the most fashionably fearful men. While the boys-only boutique boasts unique, runway-worthy pieces for the brave, WAREHaus' well-curated racks also offer traditional items with a twist for gents who prefer to collect the classics. Though the luxe locale launched just over one year ago, @WAREHausDallas is already trendy among the city's Twitter fanatics, and hooking up with the venue's fierce following is the best way to keep up with the destination's sales and chic steals. 

LINK IT: At WAREHausDallas.com and via Facebook and Instagram.

LIST IT: Add @WAREHausDallas to your roster of #FF favorites!

And of course, don't forget to connect with @Brandpointe anytime to learn more about the headlines and happenings we're tracking now!

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JUST BRAND IT: Warm Up to Hot Finds from @QueenOfCashmere

Cashmere is the ultimate laid-back luxury, and when Queen of Cashmere debuted just a few short years ago, the label's modern take on the traditional textile it an instant classic. Offering clever sweaters and accessories and personalized finds with stylized monogramming, the line has garnered praise from consumers and entrepreneurs, and we'll tell you how the brand is weaving a unique success story. 

       Channeling your inner Santa is simple - just score Queen of Cashmere's one-of-a-kind finds online or check the label's Facebook page for upcoming shopping events.

THE BRAND

Company: Queen of Cashmere

Founder: Caron Slimak

Website:  QueenOfCashmere.com

Connect: Keep up with the label's latest news via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

THE BRIGHT APPROACH

Social Status: This relatively young brand is attracting attention online with an intimate approach to social media. Founder Caron Slimak gives fans a peek into her creative process and jet set lifestyle by offering them a digital travel journal via the brand's networks; debuting stunning images and rich content, the designer provides a glimpse into the experiences that inspire her products. 

Key Takeaways: Businesses can apply the label's online strategy by mixing professional updates with personal content, and we've got two simple steps that can help you find the right balance for your brand. 

Go behind-the-scenes:While Slimak treats her audience to virtual trips abroad, any business can provide a more personal online perspective by putting over-achieving employees in the social media spotlight or taking fans behind-the-scenes of big events and projects. 

Get snappy: Create an instant connection with followers by sharing pictures that capture the story and spirit of your brand, instead of relying on product-driven or purely promotional images. Though Queen of Cashmere focuses largely on visual presentation, businesses that require more traditional content can still apply the approach by adding smart snapshots when sharing copy or links. 

      A few of our favorite things from Queen of Cashmere's customizable holiday collection (from left): Spectator scarf, $335; Pasha pillow, $485; Fred cardi, $900. 

  THE BOLD BACKSTORY

From the Beginning: Working with a family-owned British mill that has been producing cashmere for 10 generations dating back to 1766, Queen of Cashmere recruited a legendary partner before the label's launch in 2004. The brand continues to honor tradition and utilize tried-and-true techniques, ensuring that each sweater and scarf has its own rich history through a Scotland's “heritage knitting" process. 

Fearless Leader: As the Queen of Cashmere Slimak saw an opportunity to present a new twist on an age-old product. She sought out the best and most experience producers of cashmere she could find and created fresh, contemporary designs for her everyday clients.

Star Power: From Houston to Manhattan, Queen of Cashmere hosts high profile trunk shows with famous partners including The Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm, Beach Florida, and established luxury brand Stubbs & Wootton. 

Looking to generate strong branding for your business? To find out how Brandpointe can put you and your company in the spotlight by helping you develop a fabulous following, we invite you to join us online via our website, Facebook, and Twitter pages!

***By utilizing Just Brand It to highlight dynamic organizations, On Pointe seeks to underscore Brandpointe’s key objective - inspiring and assisting businesses and individuals in developing unique marketing and branding initiatives. Just Brand It is not advertorial in nature, and the content featured within the column is neither paid for nor sponsored by a third-party.***

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COOL TOOL TUESDAY: Jet Set Mobile Apps to Guide Your Sleigh

Sourcing key apps for handling stressfully holiday travel, we've discovered three top-notch tools that'll make your season even brighter. Find out how to guide your sleigh the right way with our progressive picks. 

TRAVEL LIST

A Cool Tool For: Business travelers, working Moms, and anyone heading to multiple destinations this December.

Tech It Out: Travel List's organizational tools ensure that you'll never leave home without essentials, and in addition to making packing and planning a breeze, the app lets you manage your travel calendar, schedule vacation activities, and set alerts for items and tasks that are easily forgotten in the midst of holiday madness. 

Join the Community: Download Travel List for iOS for $1.99.

SKYSCANNER

A Cool Tool For: Last minute travelers, large families, and those with small budgets and somewhat flexible schedules. 

Tech It Out: Use the flexible, super powered app to search inexpensive flights, hotels, and car rentals around the globe, because Skyscanner is the simplest, most effective platform available for sourcing great travel deals. The tool is especially valuable for those with variable schedules, and since you can book directly or chat with a travel agent, Skyscanner also makes it easy to manage your plans.

Join the Community: Download the free app for nearly any mobile device including all Apple products and Android, Blackberry, and Windows phones. 

MYCITYWAY

A Cool Tool For: Adventurous travelers, holiday entertainers, and those who'll be visiting a new locale for the holidays. 

Tech It Out: Giving you an insane array of real time updates for any city, anywhere, any time, MyCityWay provides instant access to your destination's newest hot spots; best entertainment options; nearest facilities, like ATMs or Wi-Fi locations; weather and traffic news, and so much more. Additionally, the app allows you to customize your mobile dashboard to reflect the items of greatest interest to you, which means entertaining your family and friends just got a lot easier. 

Join the Community: Download the free MyCityWay app for iOS and Android products. 

Have a dynamic online platform, network, or product you want to tell us about? Touch base with Brandpointe through Facebook and Twitter to tell us which cool tools you’re using now!

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SOCIALIZED: Kick Off Your Heels for a Great Cause!

Which famous footwear designer recently relocated to Big D? We've got the scoop on the city's newest shoe guru, and we'll tell you how you can join the clever creative's social swirl this season.

  WHO: Get to know Yosi Samra, founder of the eponymous footwear label and a second-generation shoe designer. Growing up in his father's factory in New York City, Samra absorbed the fine art of shoemaking, becoming a pioneer in the profession when he launched his line of fold-up ballet flats in 2009 ("Abbey" cap-toe flats pictured above; from $64.60, YosiSamra.com). With a celebrity following that includes Sarah Jessica Parker, Anne Hathaway, and Halle Berry, Samra is turning his star power into support for his newly adopted hometown by hosting an event to benefit the Dallas Children's Advocacy Center (DCAC). 

WHAT: Join Samra at The Shak at Stanley Korshak on Thursday, December 5, from 6 to 9 p.m., to shop for a cause during the Holiday Flats Fête benefitting the DCAC - and everyone on your "nice" list this season! Submit your reply to RSVP@YosiSamra.com to mingle among fellow do-gooding Dallasites and stylish devotees of Samra's sweet shoes while enjoying light bites, music, and amazing raffle prizes. 

WHY: While you can attend the Holiday Flats Fête for free, your polished purchases during the event will serve to support the DCAC's efforts to improve the lives of abused children across Dallas County; in addition to donating a portion of the soiree's proceeds to the organization, the label will give kids their own posh pairs in honor of every guest spending $200 or more. 

Have a dynamic event you want to tell us about? Touch base with Brandpointe through Facebook and Twitter to fill us in on the haute happenings you're following this winter!

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FOLLOW THIS!: Keeping it Classy and Chic with @AbiFerrin

Dallas is a haven for fashion enthusiasts with a penchant for designer looks, but in addition to offering some of the best shopping in the country, Dallas is also home to some creative talent in the world of fashion. Abi Ferrin is one Dallas designer worth noting. She continues to turn out chic, classy styles made for women from all walks of life and with all types of bodies. We’re loving the sophisticated styles in her Fall/Winter collection this year.

LOVE IT: Because Abi Ferrin’s wearable fashions are “Made for you. Not the Hanger.” Starting with no-fuss, comfortable fabrics, Ferrin designs clothing that’s ultra-chic but also comfortable and easy to wear. Ferrin’s inventive Nikki dress is a must-have this season. With five ways to wear the versatile garment, it’s a staple for the holidays. You can wear it one way to a family dinner and then rewrap it for a night out to celebrate.

LINK IT: Find daily fashion tips from Abi Ferrin at AbiFerrin.com and on Facebook, Tumblr, and Pinterest.

LIST IT: Add @AbiFerrin to your #FF favorites!

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JUST BRAND IT: A Better Way to Work Out with PilatesBarre

A refreshing change from grueling workouts in a standard gym, where you run nowhere while staring at a clock and a calorie-counter, PilatesBarre offers a unique way to work out in a boutique setting. Combining toning, strengthening, and a little cardio, PilatesBarre provides an uplifting full-body workout; and for some extra motivation, ShopBarre inside the studio offers stylish workout clothing so you’ll look forward to getting dressed and heading to the studio. With the opening of its second location, this growing Dallas brand is one we can all look to as an example of a company that thrives on its social media strategy.

THE BRAND

Company: PilatesBarre

Founder: Meghann O’Leary and Lauren Sharng

Website:  PilatesBarre.com

Connect: Get the scoop on PilatesBarre’s blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

THE BRIGHT APPROACH

Social Status: Social media is an integral part of how PilatesBarre interacts with its current clients and draws new faces to its studio. O’Leary has found Facebook to be a great way to interact with SMU students across the street from the studio. “Instagram is my personal favorite to feature any new apparel we have in our ShopBarre, any fun activities happening at the studio, and video demonstrations of our exercises,” she says.

Key Takeaways: PilatesBarre aims to become a part of daily life for its clients by giving them the platform to strengthen and tone their bodies and offering up inspiration so that exercise and health are always top-of-mind. As such, PilatesBarre readily shares images of the studio and short messages to encourage clients to show up for a class.

Locate your client base online. As an SMU grad, O’Leary knows PilatesBarre is just the type of workout SMU students would enjoy. She also knows where to find her collegiate clients – on Facebook. Make sure you know your client base and find the right platform on which to connect with them.

Join a cause. From time to time, PilatesBarre partners with a local group or nonprofit to raise money for a cause while gaining exposure for PilatesBarre. For example, in October, PilatesBarre donated $1 for every Facebook “Like” to “Service for Sight.”

THE BOLD BACKSTORY

From the Beginning: O’Leary fell in love with Pilates at age 15, and when she moved to Dallas to attend SMU, she noted a lack of boutique-style Pilates studios in the area. She and business partner Lauren Sharng opened the PilatesBarre on Hillcrest Avenue across from SMU in 2011, and they have now expanded to a second location in Devonshire on Lovers Lane.

Fearless Leader: Meghann O’Leary moved from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to Dallas to attend SMU in 2001, fell in love with the city, and has been here since. She enjoys tennis, running, and of course, Pilates. With PilatesBarre well-established, she has been focusing on the ShopBarre lately, bringing in brands such as Hard Tail, Beyond Yoga, Vince, and Current/Elliott.

Star Power: PilatesBarre has been featured and profiled in local publications such as D Magazine and PaperCity.

Looking to generate strong media buzz for your brand? To find out how Brandpointe can put you and your business in the spotlight by helping you develop a fierce following, we invite you to connect with us online via our  website, Facebook, and Twitter pages!

***By utilizing Just Brand It to highlight dynamic organizations, On Pointe seeks to underscore Brandpointe’s key objective - inspiring and assisting businesses and individuals in developing unique marketing and branding initiatives. Just Brand It is not advertorial in nature, and the content featured within the column is neither paid for nor sponsored by a third-party.***

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COOL TOOL TUESDAY: Best Holiday Survival Apps

The holidays are upon us. If you’re still scrambling for recipes or rushing to the grocery store, here are a few apps that will help you prepare a scrumptious holiday meal your family and friends won’t forget and serve it up alongside the perfect wine pairing.

                                                         PANNA

A Cool Tool For: Home chefs, cooking enthusiasts, and those hosting family and friends for the holidays.

Tech It Out… Watch master chefs prepare delicious recipes, showing you the methods and techniques to achieve their tried-and-true dishes. This bimonthly digital cooking magazine comes straight to you on your iPhone or iPad, so you can watch the videos and reference the recipes as your cooking.

Join The Community: On their website, blog, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

FOOD 52

A Cool Tool For: Foodies, holiday hosts and hostesses, and home chefs.

Tech It Out… Food 52 is more than an app. It’s a community of chefs and food lovers sharing recipes, tips, ideas, and their passion for food and quality ingredients. Download the app so you can ask your most pressing cooking questions and find helpful answers from experienced cooks.

Join The Community: On their website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Vimeo.

HELLO VINO

A Cool Tool For: Anyone wondering what kind of wine to serve with their holiday – or everyday – menu; or anyone who’s not an expert but wants to enjoy some wine with dinner.

Tech It Out… It’s a pocket sommelier. Tell “Hello Vino” what you’re eating, and it will suggest a wine pairing, or describe the type of wine you’d like – dry, fruity, light or full-bodied – and “Hello Vino” will offer up a suggestion.

Join The Community: On their website, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Have a dynamic online platform, network, or product you want to tell us about? Touch base with Brandpointe through Facebook and Twitter to tell us which cool tools you’re using now!

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SOCIALIZED: Visiting a Sugary Wonderland on The Gingerbread Stroll

The Park Cities are a haven for family events at the holidays, and The Gingerbread Stroll is a can’t-miss event everyone always enjoys. In its third year, the event consists of elaborate gingerbread houses made by some of the top pastry chefs in Dallas and on display in some of Dallas’ finest shops. A silent auction benefits Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer, a Dallas-based nonprofit that has helped fund pediatric cancer research for the past 30 years.

                                                               GO: To Highland Park Village to view and bid on the masterful holiday creations by some of Dallas’ most notable pastry chefs. The gingerbread houses are on display in various shops throughout Highland Park Village through the end of the month.

GATHER: Among friends, family, and holiday shoppers; and prepare to be awed by the intricately, exquisitely detailed sugary creations. From elaborate cathedrals to quaint cottages and even a reindeer merry-go-round, Dallas’ pastry chefs show off their skills in this yearly holiday event. Once you’ve determined your favorite, you can bid on it in a silent auction for the chance to take it home for the holidays.

GREET: Preview pictures of the chefs and their creations on The Gingerbread Stroll’s Facebook page; and then go see them in person to get the full effect and bid on your favorite.

Have a dynamic event you want to tell us about? Touch base with Brandpointe through Facebook and Twitter to fill us in on the haute happenings you're following this fall!

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FOLLOW THIS!: Shine on with @FGIDallas’ Night of Stars

Our stylish city has a penchant for luxury brands and lavish international labels, but when FGI Dallas hosts its annual gala, the best-dressed list comes together to recognize a bevy of up-and-coming designers. Revealing Big D’s Rising Stars during the 2013 Fashion & Lifestyle Awards on November 15, FGI Dallas will recognize emerging talent in apparel, accessories, photography, interiors, and beauty with a rock-and-roll runway presentation and cocktail party, and we’re making your Follow Friday very fashionable by connecting you with the group’s glamorous mission.

Head to the group’s Night of Stars gala to join FGI Dallas’ 2013 Rising Star winners including (from left): Dera Enochson, Susie Straubmueller, Elizabeth Anyaa, Shay Geyer, and Mei-Chun Jau.

LOVE IT: Because FGI Dallas is the catalyst for stylish creatives, and the avant garde organization’s annual roster of Rising Stars represents our city’s fashionable future. The 2013 Fashion & Lifestyle Awards: Night of Stars soiree will recognize new tastemakers including designer Elizabeth Anyaa and handbag genius Susie Straubmueller, as well as established entrepreneurs like Kay Unger and Billy Reid, and you can hook up with the haute honorees and FGI Dallas’ blingy bash by joining fellow trendsetters on Twitter.  Want to attend the posh party? You can still snag general admission tickets online for $75, but you better hurry, because VIP and seated passes are already sold out.

LINK IT: At Dallas.FGI.org and on Facebook and YouTube.

LIST IT: Add @FGIDallas to your #FF favorites!

And of course, don't forget to connect with @Brandpointe anytime to learn more about the headlines and happenings we're tracking now!

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COOL TOOL TUESDAY: Playing the Game of Love with Charade Date

Want to snag a hot date with someone who puts the fun in funny? Check into Charade Date to find out how the app's creator, Dallas-based entrepreneur Richard Burghardt, is giving you an excuse to play games in the name of love. 

A Cool Tool For: The social media obsessed, ladies and gents hoping to meet entertaining and eligible locals, and anyone seeking new partners in crime for the holiday party season. 

Tech It Out: Because like the party game that inspired the clever concept, Charade Date makes your sense of humor a hot commodity. By putting your personality and your pretty face in the spotlight, the app's witty platform effectively eliminates laughably boring girls and boys, and the video-based network will spare you awkward encounters with Tinder's notoriously lazy lineup. The easy-to-use app means getting started is simple since all you'll need to do is create a quick account, peruse local profiles, and begin inviting fellow cuties to play charades. 

Join The Community: Add Charade Date to your iPhone for free via the App Store, and check out the startup online at Facebook and Twitter. 

Have a dynamic online platform, network, or product you want to tell us about? Touch base with Brandpointe through Facebook and Twitter to tell us which cool tools you’re using now!

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SOCIALIZED: Cocktails, Conversation, and Social Change with Dallas BIG Influence

On Pointe contributor Krista Franks Brock, a Dallas-based editor and writer, is taking a look at Big D’s past to fill you in on an event that will inspire and inform our city’s future. 

As the fiftieth anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination approaches, the city that experienced the tragedy first hand is preparing to honor the leader’s lasting impact on the Dallas community. In recognition of the heartbreaking and historic occasion, the Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau (DCVB) is preparing to host JFK and the African-American Experience, a thought-provoking conversation on President Kennedy’s legacy of social change. Appropriately, the event will serve as the official kick off for the BIG Influence campaign, and we’ll tell you how connect with the inspirational engagement.

GO: Join BIG Influence: Cocktails & Conversation for JFK and the African-American Experience on November 12, 6 to 8:30 p.m., at The Old Red Courthouse (100 S. Houston Street) in downtown Dallas. Head to DallasBIGInfluence.com to purchase your $25 ticket online, but you better hurry, because seats for the forum are limited.

GATHER: Among diverse Dallas innovators including BIG Influence honorees like Sara Madsen Miller and Patrick Ware; guests will socialize and swill before the panel discussion gets started at 7 p.m., and those in attendance will be the first to experience the Cocktails & Conversation concept, which is set to become an ongoing event series for the DCVB.

GREET: Learn more about JFK and the African-American Experience and get to know the BIG Influence luminaries online via VisitDallas.com, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and YouTube.

Have a dynamic event you want to tell us about? Touch base with Brandpointe through Facebook and Twitter to fill us in on the haute happenings you're following this fall!

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FOLLOW THIS!: ‘Round the Clock Creative Revelry with @DALcontemporary

On Pointe contributor Krista Franks Brock, a Dallas-based editor and writer, is mixing up a clever cocktail of creativity and community with an artful Follow Friday recommendation that’ll have you partying on all weekend long.  

A little off the beaten path, in a warehouse-like space on Glass Street, you’ll find the most enlightening art experience in the city.  Presenting provocative imagery created for and by a covetable community of creatives and collectors, the Dallas Contemporary is marking a major milestone this weekend, and in celebration of the vibrant venue’s Alive for 35 bash, we’re helping you get social with the Contemporary’s cool crowd. 

LOVE IT: Because the non-stop soiree that is the Contemporary’s anniversary party kicks off in just a few short hours, and the only way to keep up with all 35 hours of the action is by joining the venue’s social media swirl. Running from 1 p.m. on November 8 through midnight on November 9, Alive for 35 will include the opening of the collective Acceleration exhibition, as well as the Contemporary’s official birthday bash on Saturday from 8 p.m. to close. Team up with the Contemporary on Twitter to find fellow fans and followers with whom to challenge your preconceived notions of art and design and test your special event-related endurance all weekend long.

LIST IT: Get connected via DallasContemporary.org, Facebook, and Instagram, and snag your tickets to Alive for 35 online now from $135.

LINK IT: Add @DALcontemporary to your #FF favorites!

And of course, don't forget to connect with @Brandpointe anytime to learn more about the headlines and happenings we're tracking now!

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JUST BRAND IT: Serving Up Second Chances with @CafeMomentum

On Pointe contributor Krista Franks Brock, a Dallas-based editor and writer, is introducing you to a culinary luminary who’s cooking up second chances for at-risk kids by leading the philanthropic alliance of Dallas’ most famous foodies.

Dishing out culinary innovation and creative inspiration, Café Momentum brings community service into the kitchen with a dynamic outreach program that pairs chefs with at-risk kids. Offering juvenile offenders mentorship and paid internships, Café Momentum provides coaching and education in order to teach them life skills and decrease their chances of recidivism. Established by famous foodie Chad Houser, who gave up his role as chef-owner of Parigi to focus on the philanthropic initiative full time, Café Momentum’s original concept is supported by equally unique fundraising efforts, and we’ll tell you how the project is redefining social success.

Café Momentum’s fearless leader Chad Houser chats with guests at the organization’s fall pop-up event, the Harvest Moon Dinner.

THE BRAND

Organization: Café Momentum

Founder: Chad Houser

Mission: Breaking the cycle of crime and punishment by providing hope, opportunity, and critical skills to young men within the Dallas County Youth Village.

Website: CafeMomentum.org

Connect: Find the foodie philanthropy via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

THE BRIGHT APPROACH

Social Status: Café Momentum’s recipe for success started with great partnerships, and the organization has recruited culinary luminaries including chefs Dean Fearing, Nick Badovinus, and Tiffany Derry as supporters. However, the group’s secret ingredient for sustainability is its acclaimed pop-up dinner series, which serves as Café Momentum’s strongest initiative for fundraising and awareness. Socialites and socially-minded community activists alike clamor for tickets to the delicious events, and guests relish the opportunity to give back to the program while being treated to a one-of-a-kind private dining experience at the city’s elite eateries.

Key Takeaways: Guiding Café Momentum through the tricky transition from cool concept to bold brand, Houser adopted a socially savvy approach that capitalized on both off and online interaction. With a smart strategy that engages supporters yet protects the exclusivity of the organization’s events, Café Momentum’s community building efforts offer key insights that all businesses can apply.

Keep it local … Constantly engaging current or potential partners and supporters online by recognizing and interacting with Dallas-based businesses, chefs, and other philanthropies, Café Momentum actively promotes the city’s best and brightest alongside its own successes. Brands in any field can apply a similar approach by curating and then connecting with initiatives that are local to their specific industry or community.

Maintain your mission … While Café Momentum hosts sought-after soirees and boasts many well-known collaborators, the organization’s social media strategy continues to focus on its philanthropic mission rather than high-profile happenings. Taking followers behind-the-scenes with the chefs and kids at the core of Café Momentum’s concept, the group puts its programs at the forefront to establish a very personal connection with fans. Businesses seeking to stimulate the same kind of off and online loyalty can do so by cultivating content that adheres to the brand’s organic identity and puts the company’s industry and community leadership at the forefront.

 Chef Graham Dodds coaches program participants while in the kitchen for a recent Café Momentum dinner.

THE BOLD BACKSTORY

From the Beginning: Houser and Janice Provost, his partner in Parigi, were attending an event at the Dallas Farmer's Market in 2010 when a conversation with Youth Village Resources’ executive director Jerry Silhan inspired the idea that would eventually become Café Momentum. While chatting with Silhan, Houser and Provost were introduced to several young men who were dishing out ice cream they’d made while participating in Youth Village’s culinary program, and the pair was struck by the opportunity to work with local vendors and chefs to help at-risk youth find viable employment opportunities.

Fearless Leader: Seeking to spread hope and give struggling youth a second chance, Houser conceived Café Momentum as a grass roots initiative, but when passes for the inaugural pop-up dinner oversold before the organizers could even shut down the online ticketing system, it was obvious the aptly-named project was speeding toward expansion. Though Houser was racking up accolades, earning nominations for D Magazine’s “Best Up-and-Coming Chef” and “Best Chef,” he left his posh post with Parigi to become Café Momentum’s executive director and head chef in mid-2012.

Star Power: During a summer pop-up dinner, Café Momentum announced a $175,000 grant from the United Way that will allow the organization to establish its own restaurant and training facility in downtown Dallas. Additionally, the relatively new philanthropy has garnered plenty of press coverage and praise from D Magazine, Crave DFW, CultureMap, and many more.

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***By utilizing Just Brand It to highlight dynamic organizations, On Pointe seeks to underscore Brandpointe’s key objective - inspiring and assisting businesses and individuals in developing unique marketing and branding initiatives. Just Brand It is not advertorial in nature, and the content featured within the column is neither paid for nor sponsored by a third-party.***