Watching the world watch Texas.
Issue No. 5, 2024
In this issue of Branding Texas: Big money in Texas is backing plans for a new national securities exchange to be based in Dallas – the new “Capital of Capital”; Academic excellence elevates a cluster of seven Blue Ribbon schools in North Texas; The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders capture the hearts and streaming eyes of America; Growing international attention to the college sports stars of Texas; Miranda Lambert celebrates horses, Airstreams and her home state in her latest album; Tacos from Austin named best in the state, and lottery winnings from just one Texas ticket staggers at $1.58 billion.
Thomas Graham
A New Player in the National Securities Market
Ideas for our own national securities exchange are gaining momentum in the Texas financial world, as ABC News reports. The eyes of the money world were on Texas today, in fact, as Governor Greg Abbott hosted global media and financial business leaders to promote that new Texas Stock Exchange.
Here’s a quote from the recent Dallas Morning News op-ed by Drew McKnight and Josh Pack who co-chair Fortress Financial Group in Dallas. The article shows what the Governor and the business community all across Texas are gearing up for:
“ … [F]or the first time in 33 years, Texas in 2023 surpassed New York in the number of workers employed in the financial and banking sectors. JPMorgan Chase now employs more people in Texas than in the state of New York; Charles Schwab relocated its headquarters to Westlake in 2021; Goldman Sachs has expanded its local workforce to more than 5,000 full-time employees; Wells Fargo invested in an 850,000-square-foot campus that will house thousands of employees; and Fidelity Investments has added about 2,000 employees in our state. Leading global institutions have voted resoundingly in favor of the business and lifestyle advantages that have made Texas the No. 1 state for job creation for 36 consecutive months … ”
I’m proud to be involved in this milestone for Texas and its role of continued leadership in the financial sector.
Cluster Of Educational Excellence In North Texas?
The MSN network has picked up and given global distribution to a story by Dallas TV reporter Ben Sawyers, highlighting a surprising cluster of seven extraordinary schools in North Texas.
All seven have been recognized this year with prestigious National Blue Ribbon honors by the U.S. Department of Education. This fiercely competitive best-schools award celebrates educational excellence, honoring exemplary teaching and learning environments.
Three North Texas elementary schools, one junior high and four high schools were chosen as schools that excel in academic performance. 31 Texas schools overall won the award this year out of 356 schools recognized nationally.
“Being chosen as a National Blue Ribbon School is a special distinction that reflects the hard work of teachers, staff, administrators, students, and parents in striving for academic excellence,” said Governor Abbott. “These schools represent the very best of what Texas education can offer.”
How ‘Bout Them Cowboys Cheerleaders?
When the Dallas Cowboys won their first of the three modern-era Super Bowls under then coach Jimmy Johnson, he famously exclaimed, “How ‘bout them Cowboys!” Well, it’s been a minute since the Boys in Blue have gotten close to returning to the big game, and this year they’re off to a rather inauspicious start.
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have taken over as the talk of the town as Carlos & Alexa PenaVega and Great American Media CEO Bill Abbott celebrate the filming of a Christmas movie at the AT&T Stadium.
With a breakout debut of “America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders” on Netflix, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have been the talk of the streaming TV world all summer, capturing the hearts and eyes of America’s entertainment stage, trending No. 1 on Netflix for July and which, according to Sports Business Journal, had six million views and over 40 million hours of streaming time.
Jessica Grose, an Opinion writer for The New York Times, covering family, religion, education and culture, explains Becoming a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader is Like Getting Into Harvard, “because the newbies are competing for positions against veterans, the acceptance rate in any given year can be comparable with that of an Ivy League school.”
If you’ve ever watched a DCC performance, you know everyone in that flashy uniform is highly competitive and incredibly athletic. Their dance routines are high-energy aerobic workouts disguised as entertaining, highly disciplined choreography.
Before Netflix released its debut season of “America’s Sweethearts,” CMT had a very similar series called “Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team”, which ran for 16 seasons.
UT Austin’s Longhorns topping the charts for worldclass athletes
Texas Longhorns director of swimming Bob Bowman and ex-Longhorn golfer Scottie Scheffler were both named to Sports Illustrated’s latest Top 50 Most Influential Figures in Sports, showcasing the enduring strength of UT Austin’s intercollegiate athletics program even on the global stage.
Elsewhere, CCN’S Jamie Barton was among the first to announce that this year’s Texas Longhorns football team jumped over the Georgia Bulldogs to lead the Associated Press Top 25 as the highest-ranked team in college football.
Bowman, famous for coaching Olympic legends like Michael Phelps and Léon Marchand, is now attracting elite international talent to the UT Austin campus, solidifying Texas as a future hub for global swimming excellence. With his reputation a strong attractor, Bowman is poised to turn Texas into a global epicenter for elite swimming talent, which will soon include 17-year-old French Olympian Rafael Fente-Damers, who was born in Houston and has already committed to join the Longhorns.
Scheffler, meanwhile, who moved to Dallas at age 6, continues to stun and dominate golf, winning major titles in 2024, including a second Masters.
Horses, Airstreams, Buses… And Country Music
In a recent People interview with music industry veteran reporter Jack Irvin, Texas-born country star Miranda Lambert opened up about her tenth album, Postcards from Texas, and her love for Texas and freedom.
Lambert, born in Longview, grew up in the Lone Star State and discussed with People how her roots have influenced her music and lifestyle, especially through themes of running toward or away from things.
Her new song “Run” captures that sentiment, blending personal freedom with nostalgia for home in its lyrics. “I think the reason that I love horses, and I love Airstreams, and I love the bus, is because it is a way to run to something, not necessarily away from something… but also away if you need to,” she told Irvin.
Texas Is Taco Country
Food and Wine reporter Marnie Shure highlights Yelp’s latest Best Tacos in Every State for 2024 list.
The Texas winner, Cuantos Tacos in Austin, exemplifies the authentic, affordable, street-style taco that resonates with many taco enthusiasts. You can view the full Yahoo list here.
Yelp’s latest list highlights the best tacos in every U.S. state, showcasing both traditional and creative approaches. These taquerias range from seafood tacos in Alaska to quesabirria beef tacos in California, emphasizing local flavors and diverse styles.
Yelp, which itself is 20 years old this year, used data science to assess reviews, considering more than just the volume of five-star ratings. I wonder if those waiting in line at Cuantos Tacos use the time to master – what else – the Texas two-step!
Up On Your Luck In Texas
A recent Mega Millions lottery ticket sold at a Texas gas station made the national news after it delivered a staggering $1.58 billion prize. A CBS News story, posted by network news editor Kerry Breen, highlighted this as one of the largest lottery jackpots in history, further shining a spotlight on Texas.
The winning ticket was purchased at a Stripes convenience store in the small town of Leon Valley on the Northwestern side of San Antonio, bringing significant attention to Texas lottery players from across the nation.
“We are beyond thrilled to celebrate Texas’ largest-ever jackpot winner and can’t wait to meet and congratulate them in person,” said Ryan Mindell, executive director of the Texas Lottery.
This event underscores the growing national interest in lottery wins linked to Texas, maybe contributing to a state reputation for luck and excitement, at least among jackpot lovers?
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