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.
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.
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 team
Get in touch & say howdy
We’re a small crew covering a whole lot of Texas, so here’s who to email depending on what you need. Not sure? Drop us a line and we’ll point you to the right person.
Katie Butler
Talk to Katie about: the media side of 101, meaning the city brands we own like Dallasites101, plus their content, events and passports.
Bio
Katie believes the strongest communities are built through authentic storytelling, meaningful relationships, and shared experiences. As Director of Communities at 101Media, Katie leads content, audience growth, events, and partnerships across the company's owned brands, connecting people, brands, and businesses to community. With an MBA in Marketing from Southern Methodist University and experience spanning consulting, recruiting, and brand strategy, Katie brings a strategic, people-first approach to growing audiences, building partnerships, and creating experiences that strengthen community. She was named one of Park Cities People Newspapers' 2025 20 Under 40 honorees for her impact on the Dallas community and is the founder of Alcohol Free in Dallas, a platform dedicated to bringing people together through alcohol-free events and resources.
Mackinley Bullock
Talk to Mackinley about: marketing services for your business, from social media management and influencer campaigns to paid ads and email marketing.
Bio
Mackinley thrives at the intersection of strategy, client partnership, and team leadership. As Director of Marketing Services at 101Media, she leads the company's Marketing Services division, helping businesses grow through thoughtful strategy, collaborative execution, and lasting client relationships. She holds a master's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and brings more than five years of agency account management experience. Since joining 101Media in 2023, Mackinley has become known for her strategic mindset, operational excellence, and commitment to delivering exceptional client experiences. Outside of work, she volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters, one of 101Media's longtime nonprofit partners.
Emma Meyer
Talk to Emma about: opportunities with our 101 brands and communities, from advertising and event sponsorships to custom passports.
Bio
Emma is a Texan, born and raised, who builds partnerships that help local and national businesses flourish. As Communities Sales Manager at 101Media, she leads sales for all of our city brands, connecting businesses with our audiences through social and digital features, event sponsorships and custom passports. Emma started on the Dallasites101 content team in 2022, so she knows what makes a feature land, and she brings that knowledge to every plan she builds with a partner. Outside of work, you'll find her with her husband and family, exploring national parks, traveling the world, hunting down the best matcha and, of course, rooting for the Yankees.
Marielle Runyan
Talk to Marielle about: anything going on in Dallas or Fort Worth and how we can cover it across our Dallasites101 and Fort Worthians101 communities!
Bio
Marielle believes a city feels most like home when you're surrounded by the people and places that make it special. As Communities Lead for the DFW Metroplex at 101Media, she oversees Dallasites101 and Fort Worthians101, leading the content team that spotlights the small businesses, culture, and stories shaping North Texas. In 2025 alone, she grew Dallasites101 by more than 51,000 Instagram followers, drove 94 million views and doubled interactions year over year, helping build a performance-led content strategy that stays rooted in community. She graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas with a degree in Marketing. Outside of work, Marielle is happiest outdoors, whether she's running, playing tennis, or hiking beyond Dallas. With a pilot for a husband, travel is a big part of her life, and when she's home, she's usually hosting, cooking for friends, and bringing her community together!
Emily West
Talk to Emily about: anything going on in San Antonio or Austin and how we can cover it across our San Antonians101 and Austinites101 communities!
Bio
Emily believes that community is at the heart of what makes a place feel alive, giving each city its own personality, culture, and sense of connection. As the SATX Communities Lead at 101Media, she oversees Austinites101 and San Antonians101, spotlighting the local businesses, experiences, and stories that make Austin, San Antonio, and everywhere in between so special. She holds a master's degree in Mass Communications from Oklahoma State University, with a minor in fashion merchandising, and is passionate about celebrating the people and places that bring each community to life. When she's not working, you'll find Emily at the lake, grabbing a coffee before a long trail walk, or spending the day volunteering at a local equine therapy ranch that's close to her heart!
Lila Banowetz
Talk to Lila about: invoices, payments and billing questions, plus planning a visit to our Dallas HQ.
Bio
Lila keeps 101Media running smoothly behind the scenes. As Finance and Operations Specialist, she oversees accounts receivable and payable, payroll and benefits, contracts, and Dallas HQ operations, supporting every team, brand, and city across 101Media. She holds a bachelor's degree in Communications and Digital Marketing from the University of Oklahoma. Since joining 101Media in 2025, Lila has become known for her organization, her ability to keep every project moving, and her drive to improve internal systems and the client experience. Her time on the marketing team gave her a firsthand understanding of how each team works and what it takes to support them.
Still not sure who you need? Say hey and we'll get you to the right person.
Say howdy“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