News Release
Texas Stampede Herds in Expanded Web Site
Texas Stampede (www.texasstampede.org) recently herded in a new web site with a fresh look, full of color and elements that reflect what the event stands for --Texas, rodeo, and music.
The Texas Stampede, each year, organizes events including a downtown Dallas music festival, and a series of PRCA championship rodeos and concerts held at the American Airlines Center. Proceeds from these efforts benefit Children's Medical Center and UT Southwestern Medical Center's pediatric programs.
The new web site, which was designed by QuickSilver Interactive Group of Dallas, offers streamlined navigation; giving visitors one click access to tickets, events, volunteer and sponsor information. An online merchandise store was also added, giving visitors the opportunity to purchase Texas Stampede gifts and apparel.
"I truly believe QuickSilver has captured the essence of our one main cause -- helping kids," said Joel Williams, co-founder and Executive Director of Texas Stampede. "The web site is our single most important marketing tool. It's a big reason for our success."
"The people we work with, and for, have hearts as big as Texas," continued Williams, "and this new site gives us the opportunity to share their stories with the rest of the world."
"Texas Stampede is not your daddy's rodeo and concert," commented Steve Lee, president of QuickSilver Interactive. "It's fast paced, loud, roof-rocking fun. We're just proud to be a part of something that does so much good for the children and for Dallas." QuickSilver has been a part of Texas Stampede since its inception four years ago as its pro bono partner in e-mail marketing and web design.
The Story Behind the Design
(In search of the right patch of blue)
It was the guitar that started this photo shoot project. QSI's Creative Director, Gary Williamson is an antique, musical instrument collector, and he had an idea that involved juxtaposing the guitar (a Les Paul Original), something that represented the music aspect of Texas Stampede, with tack and saddle and a Texas flag. The only prop missing was the bluebonnets. The weather was holding up (it had been raining on and off) and all that was needed was an appropriate batch of bluebonnets before they faded away. They could go anywhere and find bluebonnets; they just had to be the right ones.
His cohort, Kent Mahan, saddle and rope provider, and QSI's Director of Client Services, had seen a nice batch on 635 heading west past Valley Ranch, but there was construction going on and they couldn't take a chance on losing that good, late day sun. So they went towards Las Colinas in search of that perfect patch of blue. There are a lot of traffic lights in Las Colinas and they were sitting at the light at MacArthur and Royal when Gary looked over towards the curb at an unmowed section of landscape and said, "Hey, what about here? I wonder if there's a place to park?"
Well, whether it was actually a legal place to park, we don't know, but he did, and they proceeded to unload the van for the shoot. Based on the success of the new design, it must have been the right patch.
About Texas Stampede
Texas Stampede is a non-profit organization that has raised more than $1.25 million benefiting pediatric programs at Children's Medical Center and UT Southwestern Medical Center. Texas Stampede helps more than 325,000 children annually by hosting the Pace Picante ProRodeo Classic, featuring only the top rank and point winners from the 2004 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Wrangler ProRodeo Tour, along with top-notch concert acts.
About QuickSilver
QuickSilver Interactive specializes in online communications, public relations and research. Founded in 1998, the firm collaborates with clients to develop and implement communication strategies; designs, builds, hosts and maintains web sites; conducts online and offline research; plans and implements e-mail marketing programs and designs and builds information management systems. If it touches the Internet, it's QuickSilver.
For Further Information Contact:
Jeannine K. Lee, APR
jlee@qsigroup.com
214-999-0301, Ext. 21