About Iron Communities
Paris Steak Wars, an annual steak cook-off in Paris, Texas, is presented by 501c3 Non-profit, Iron Communities. DeadCat Media’s co-founder, Lea Emerson, serves as the Vice President alongside Kris Estep (President), Brittany Barney-Burns (Treasurer), and JoKyle Varner (Secretary). The event features cook-off teams, live music, vendors, a beer garden, and a variety of opportunities for show-goers to get involved. Ticket holders may enter the Steak Arena and try steak from every team along with appetizers and side dishes.
All proceeds from Paris Steak Wars benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Paris, Texas.
The Project
The concept of Paris Steak Wars was created in 2019 and the first event was held in April 2021. DeadCat Media provided a multitude of services as the concept came to reality including the name of the event, event branding, marketing, ad management, photography, videography, event planning and management, consulting and more. Alongside the Iron Communities team, the brand was created to match the presenting company brand (South Main Iron) with a raw and edgy vibe mixed with modern design and tone.
The Process
• The Name – We felt the name of this event was crucial to the success and growth from the first year through to the future. With a mission to make this event a staple favorite in our community (and wider region) we wanted something that created an outlet of ownership for all involved. It’s not just a cook-off…it’s WAR! We pitched the name Paris Steak Wars and without hesitation, the name was locked in.
• The Brand – The brand has had some improvements over the years, but the iconic dueling cleavers were included in the original brand. The color pallet chosen included black, gold, navy and red. We included elements like fire, grills, steaks and of course, RAW steak puns throughout all verbiage. The tone of the brand is a cheeky, edgy, and even a little cocky at times.
• The Website – Our primary tool for communicating to the public, cook-off teams, judges and vendors is the official Paris Steak Wars website. We created the website as a hub for information including FAQ’s, Team Registrations, Event Maps, Press Releases and more. We developed the site to match the brand with flexibility to expand as the event continues to grow. In just four years, we average 10K+ visitors annually to the site to receive key information for the event. This site is used across marketing campaigns such as Hulu, Google, Youtube, Facebook and TikTok.
PHOTO
We’re all hands on deck during Paris Steak Wars. Our team covers the entire event from team photos, judging, stage and live music, general lifestyle and product photography. Throughout the event we publish several galleries online as “live coverage” throughout the day, while reserving some of our favorites to be used for future marketing for the following year.
Video Production
The DC Media team gets its steps in during this event! For video, our team uses up to five cameras to capture general b-roll, interviews, product shots, live music, and event coverage like the award ceremony. We typically publish 1-2 short-form reels throughout the day so that those not attending know what they’re missing out on.
Following the event, our team heads back to the studio to prep the material for a 10-month marketing campaign for the next year! These videos showcase the event’s success to future sponsors, teams, and attendees.
Event Management
Working alongside the Iron Communities team and our event planner (Kacy Smyers, Paris Party Rentals), we work 10-11 months out of the year planning Paris Steak Wars. Every detail receives attention including things like wristbands, parking, signage, vendors, team sign-ups, and communication strategies.
The Product
In the first four years of Paris Steak Wars, we are proud to report that more than $101,000 have been given to the Boys and Girls Club of Paris, Texas. With the help of sponsors, teams, and attendees, we are excited to see this event continue to grow.
