Grumpy Cat, Cash Cats & Cat Parties: SXSW From A Cat Lady's Perspective

Animal Planet Cats Live Here Party 

This past weekend I was fortunate enough to attend the SXSW Interactive Festival in Austin, Texas. I've been dreaming of going for years now, and when I finally got the opportunity as part of my job as a Community Manager at Purina, I couldn't believe it!

I was in town with Pro Plan Cat, who were one of the sponsors of the MO FILM 2014 SXSW Awards. During the party, which included a film screening and gourmet BBQ, one talented filmmaker received a prize for creating a cinematic cat video that answered the question, "What's so great about a cat?" 


Dave told me what was so great about his cat, Miss Trinkles. (via @ProPlanCat)

We were also there gathering stories for @ProPlanCat, which just went live on Twitter and Instagram last week! I'd love for you to follow us and tag your cat photos with #MyGreatCat for a chance to be featured in the community. As an added incentive, if you also mention @catsparella in your tweets or Instagram posts, I'll send you a surprise when we launch the Pro Plan Cat Facebook page in April! 

As for the rest of the conference, it truly was a cat lovers paradise. After taking in an inspiring discussion with Nasty Gal CEO Sophia Amoruso, we headed to the infamous Mashable House, AKA heaven on earth for a pop culture enthusiasts who spend the bulk of their waking hours on the internet. 


I came in like a Wrecking Ball...

After signing signing my life away on a release form, I had the opportunity to swing on a wrecking ball, Miley style. 


S.H. + G.C. = Best Frans Forever

Next, I turned into a real life cat emoji when I got to take a picture with Grumpy Cat! The internet's most famous feline was there representing Friskies (another Purina brand, natch), and delivering food to needy cats in the Austin area.


The Iron Throne just got a whole lot cattier.

I thought I couldn't take any more excitement after that, but boy, was I wrong. A stop at the Game of Thrones exhibit across town was another highlight of the trip, and a chance to sit on the Iron Throne brought out my inner Cersei (after a brief hiatus, my cattitude is back!). 


Cat Cash: The Economy of Internet Cat Videos Panel

Afterwards, I rushed back to the Austin Convention Center for the most highly anticipated session of the conference: Cat Cash: The Economy of Internet Cat Videos. The panel included Will Braden (Henri, Le Chat Noir), Ben Lashes (Meme Manager to Grumpy Cat, Nyan Cat, Keyboard Cat and more), Grace Suriel (Director of Social Media at Animal Planet), and Scott Stulen (Curator of the Internet Cat Video Festival). Lil Bub's dude, Mike Bridavasky, was also in the crowd, but nothing caused more pandemonium than when Grumpy Cat made a surprise appearance. 


Quincy insisted that I get her good side.

The rain wouldn't let up, but an an emergency umbrella run led us to Wild About Music, where we were greeted by an awesome shop cat named Quincy! This spunky girl made my already unforgettable day complete, and wouldn't you know it - she's a social media maven like myself, with her very own Twitter account!


A+ Cat Swag

Day 2 of the conference consisted of a heavy day of sessions (including one about Twitter and Sharknado, because why not), but once the sun went down, it was time to get my cat party on. The cool cats at Animal Planet were kind enough to send me a VIP invite to their Cats Live Here Party, a celebration of all things feline. Needless to say, the kitty-themed bash was all I could have dreamed of and more. 


The Glamourpuss was the must-have cocktail of the night (by me).

Guests were treated to cat-themed cocktails, quirky buttons, and cake pops.

Kicking it with Lil Bub in the VIP lounge.

There was even an appearance in the VIP lounge by none other than Lil Bub!


A view from the top of the best cat party ever.

The culmination of the bash was a rousing performance from 80s cover band, The Spazmatics. I must say, if you're in Texas, you must check these guys out. After dancing the night away, I ended up standing in line for a free cronut at 2 a.m. (alas, it did not come to pass). But if that's the worst thing that happened all weekend, I think I did OK.

Thanks for stopping by to see what I've been up to! If you'd like to keep up with my latest project, follow @ProPlanCat on Twitter and Instagram, and tag your pics with #MyGreatCat for a chance to be featured in our new community! 

Grumpy Cat, Cash Cats & Cat Parties: SXSW From A Cat Lady's Perspective

"Grumpy Cat: A Grumpy Book" Review & Giveaway!

"I Wrote A Book Once. It Was Awful." - Grumpy Cat

If you're a reader of this blog, you probably already know the story of Grumpy Cat. The millions of online fans, television appearances, licensed merchandise, and movie deals, that have all worked in tandem to propel the small town kitty into an international sensation. 

Her appeal is universal, and after meeting her in person, I can attest that she possesses that elusive "It" factor people always talk about. I even caught my dad laughing out loud while reading my review copy of her book, which hit stores over the summer.



The 96-page hardback, "Grumpy Cat: A Grumpy Book: Disgruntled Tips And Activities Designed To Put A Frown On Your Face," includes some of the most popular Grumpy Cat memes, new and classic pictures, and games and activities, designed to put you in a terrible mood.


Forecast for your life: Not looking so good.

You'll also get to experience some of her grumpiest moments, learn questionable facts about puppies and laughing babies, and be treated to special appearances by her brother, Pokey and others.


Grumpy Moments

While Grumpy Cat claims the book was written to put a frown on your face, I'm glad to report it has quite the opposite effect. Admittedly, I'm still riding high after meeting the pint-sized starlet last week, but still have no qualms about recommending this cleverly composed gift book to any fan of the famous feline.

"Grumpy Cat: A Grumpy Book" is available now through Amazon, Apple iBookstore, Barnes and Noble, Indiebound, and in a bookstore near you!

Enter To Win!

Chronicle Books has generously offered one lucky Catsparella reader the chance to win a copy of "Grumpy Cat: A Grumpy Book"!

To enter, leave a comment on this post with your name and some way for me to contact you if you win (email, link back to your blog or profile, Twitter, etc.) The winner be will chosen in a random drawing next Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 5:00PM EST. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. One entry per person, please. 

Good luck, and be sure to visit Grumpy Cat's website, and follow her on Facebook to find out what she's up to next!

If you have trouble leaving a comment, please email me at catsparella@gmail.com.

Disclosure: Chronicle Books provided me with a copy of this book to giveaway, but all Grumpy Cat worship expressed in this post is my own.

[Comments are now closed. Thanks for entering!]

"Grumpy Cat: A Grumpy Book" Review & Giveaway!

Grumpy Cat & Cat Videos Collide At The Friskies 2013 Video Awards

I met Grumpy Cat!

Last night I had the honor of attending The Friskies, an award show dedicated to honoring the best new internet cat videos of the year. Host Michael Ian Black, along with special guests Angela Kinsey, Henri, le Chat Noir creator Will Braden, and Mick Szydlowski (Oskar the Blind Cat's human), presented golden catuettes and $25,000 in cash prizes to four lucky winners -- Oh yeah, and I met Grumpy Cat, too!



The celebration was held at Arena in New York City, an event space just outside of Times Square. 

As soon as we arrived, we were greeted by colorful flower arrangements on every table, accented with felt kitty toys and pictures of the night's lifetime achievement award recipient, Grumpy Cat. 

I was thrilled to finally meet Henri, le Chat Noir creator, Will Braden!

Not to brag (I am totally bragging), but I was beyond excited to mix and mingle with some of the biggest names in the cat world, including Will Braden, creator of the brilliant Henri, le Chat Noir videos. Braden, who traveled (sans Henri) to the show from Seattle, couldn't have been nicer (and no, he isn't really French!).

The Friskies winners posed alongside Michael Ian Black, Tabatha Bundesen & Grumpy Cat, and Angela Kinsey.

I also had the pleasure of meeting host Michael Ian Black. I introduced myself as a "cat blogger and big fan," to which he thanked me and shook my hand before posing for a pic. Black killed it in his duties as the night's emcee, and even referenced his kitty Alfalfa, who was surely watching back at home.

Grumpy Cat's owner, Tabatha Bundesen, was always by her side making sure she was happy and comfortable.

And then there was Grumpy Cat. I could barely sleep last night because I was still so excited from meeting her! I don't know how else to put it, except to say that she is even tinier and more precious in person. 

Catventure category winner Joanne McGonagle, with her husband Paul and their catuette.

Of course, no cat event would be complete without my fellow cat bloggers, Tamar Arslanian from I Have Cat, Robin Olson of Covered in Cat Hair, and Layla Morgan Wilde from Cat Wisdom 101. We were all very proud when our friend, Joanne McGonagle of The Tiniest Tiger, accepted an award in the Catventure category for "The Tiniest Tiger's Snow Adventure." The video starred her beloved kitty, Gracey, who sadly passed away in May, and the honor was a fitting tribute to her legacy.


I was also very excited to meet Rita (and her mom, who took this pic!), who was one of my ticket giveaway winners!

Thank you again to Friskies for inviting me to take part in the biggest cat-stravaganza of the year! It was fun finally meeting some of the famous faces (human and feline) that I've been blogging about for so long, and I will never get over the fact that I got to hold Grumpy Cat!

I shall never be grumpy again.

In case you missed it, you can catch the recorded live stream of the show at thefriskies.com.

Grumpy Cat & Cat Videos Collide At The Friskies 2013 Video Awards

Win A Pair Of Tickets To Attend The Friskies With Special Guest Grumpy Cat (3 Winners!)

What do comedian Michael Ian Black, Angela Kinsey (your favorite cat lady from "The Office"), Grumpy Cat, and YOU all have in common?

You'll all be gathered together on the evening of October 15th if you win a pair of tickets to The Friskies, the cat food brand's annual celebration of the best cat videos on the internet!

The award show, now in its second year, will be hosted by Black, live from New York City on October 15th. The show will award $25,000 worth of cash prizes and gold-plated Catuette trophies to four category winners and one Fan Favorite.


Angela Kinsey on "The Office"

Special guest Angela Kinsey, best known as the hilarious cat lady on NBC’s hit show “The Office,” will be in attendance, plus the panel of feline aficionado judges, including Will Braden, the creator of “Henri Le Chat Noir.” 

If that isn't enough to entice you to break out your feline formal wear, Grumpy Cat, who recently signed an endorsement deal with the brand, will also be in the house  to accept a Lifetime Achievement Award! Sure, the worldwide phenomenon is only two years old, but she deserves to win for bestowing the world with nine lifetimes worth of grumpiness.

Enter To Win!



I was thrilled when Friskies invited me to attend the show, and am even more pleased to share that they have generously offered THREE lucky Catsparella readers the chance to win a pair of tickets to the star-studded soireé! 

Rules:
This giveaway is for admission ONLY, no transportation or accommodations will be provided. 
All winners and guests must be 18 years of age or older.

To enter, leave a comment on this post telling me why your cat(s) thinks you deserve to win!

Your comment should also include your name and some way for me to contact you if you are selected (email, link back to your blog or profile, Twitter, etc.) The winner be will chosen in a random drawing next Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 5:00PM EST. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. One entry per person, please. 

Good luck, and be sure to visit the Friskies Facebook page, and mark your calendars to watch the show when it streams live at 7PM ET on October 15th at TheFriskies.com.

If you have trouble leaving a comment, please email me at catsparella@gmail.com.

[Comments are now closed. Thanks for entering!]

Win A Pair Of Tickets To Attend The Friskies With Special Guest Grumpy Cat (3 Winners!)

Highlights From The Second Annual Minneapolis Internet Cat Video Film Festival

Grumpy Cat Takes The Golden Kitty

Thousands of feline fans gathered on Wednesday night at the Minneapolis State Fair Grandstand, for the second annual Cat Vid Fest, presented by Walker Art Center.

After attracting over 10,000 fans last year, a reported 13,000 people bought tickets to sit around and watch cat videos together last night, and celebrate internet cat culture in real life. The event was also streamed live online by Animal Planet, for unfortunate souls (like myself) who weren't able to attend in purrson.

The cat people of Minnesota are legion. #catvidfest: pic.twitter.com/Wmp9FxOp2d
— Tom Horgen (@tomhorgen) August 29, 2013

The three hour long program kicked-off with a (loooong) two hour introduction that included performances by Twin Cities band Brian Laidlaw & the Family Trade, and quirky dance duo, Koo Koo Kanga Roo. 


Brian Laidlaw

Comedian Julie Klausner served as the night's emcee, introducing appearances by noted feline viral video hit-makers such as Will Braden (Henri, Le Chat Noir), Charlie Schmidt (Keyboard Cat), Chris Torres (Nyan Cat), and Maddie Kelly (Kittens Inspired by Kittens), who all received Hall of Fame awards later in the evening.

 
From l to r; Charlie Schmidt, Maddie Kelly, Mike Bridavsky and Lil Bub, Chris Torres, The Bundesen's and Grumpy Cat, Will Braden.

In celebration of "the Great Minnesota Get-Together tradition," Animal Planet commissioned a butter cat sculpture, inspired by royalty (rumor has it that Tardar Sauce licked its ear).


Tardar Sauce cozying up to the butter cat sculpture.



No pets were allowed on the grounds per fair rules, but spectators were greeted to surprise appearances by some of the most famous cats in the world, including Minneapolis's own Pudge the Cat.

"@PudgeTheKitten do you have anything to say?" #myheart #catvidfest pic.twitter.com/jI4IZDcSxY
— Erin Good (@eringood02) August 29, 2013

The highlight of the event, however, was an epic meeting of the minds between Grumpy Cat and Lil Bub.

BUB and @RealGrumpyCat sharing stories. Telepathically. pic.twitter.com/ngzMuHsTJk
— Lil BUB (@IAMLILBUB) August 28, 2013

@RealGrumpyCat and @iamlilbub chatting at #CatVidFest https://t.co/dvlXFPiJB9
— Grumpy Cat (@RealGrumpyCat) August 28, 2013

Over 7,000 nominations were submitted for this year's festival, and a team of 70 jurors narrowed the field down to 65+ cat video clips that were shown in categories like Comedy, Drama, Foreign, Animated, and Musical. 

People's Choice award winners included the now classic Cat In A Shark Costume Chases A Duck While Riding A Roomba and Cat Licking Vacuum Cleaner, but the coveted 2013 Golden Kitty Award ultimately went to Grumpy Cat, who took home the Monopoly cat game piece inspired cat-uette, basically just for being her grumpy self.


Go Grumpy!

Of course, no event such as this would be complete without cat fashion, and people had no reservations about letting their feline freak flags fly. 

We found @RealGrumpyCat's biggest fan @ #CatVidFest! Watch our live stream NOW! http://t.co/4yUtEb6HiV #Meow pic.twitter.com/7u9x9oWHdu
— AnimalPlanet (@AnimalPlanet) August 29, 2013

#CatVidFest https://t.co/IrFOIpWgAc
— Brian Schroeder (@BrianTheVirgil) August 29, 2013

The night's festivities concluded with a fireworks celebration, which most cats probably would have hated.

And the #catvidfest goes out with a bang. https://t.co/eFGduR5IW4
— Ben Lashes (@BenLashes) August 29, 2013

In case you missed it, Cat Vid Fest is hitting the road again this year. The full tour schedule will be posted tomorrow, August 30 on the Walker Art Center website.

Highlights From The Second Annual Minneapolis Internet Cat Video Film Festival

Cat Cupcake Tuesdays

Grumpy Birthday Cupcakes

This week's sweet treats come to us from Jennifer McFadden of Death by Cupcake. As if her hand painted Grumpy Cat cupcakes weren't freaking awesome enough, the colorful rainbow cupcakes on the side are topped with unicorn poop! 

Now who could say "NO" to that?


Grumpy Cat Cupcakes and Unicorn Poop Sugar Cookie topped cupcakes

***
Have you created or spotted any kitty-themed baked goods (or other foods) lately? If so, please submit your sweet tips for Cat Cupcake Tuesdays to catsparella@gmail.com!

Cat Cupcake Tuesdays

Grumpy Cat Expands Her Empire With Coffee Drink, Plush Doll

Fresh off of the release of her first book, Tardar Sauce has revealed two additional products that will help shape her grumpy empire.

The famously frowny feline recently surprised fans with the announcement of Grumpy Cat Grumppuccino, a new iced coffee bearing the tagline, "It's Awfully Good." 

Described as "a delicious and creamy blend of premium Arabica coffee and milk," the chilled drink will be available in Mocha, Coffee, and Vanilla flavors, online and in stores in September. Fans who follow Grumpy Cat Coffee on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram will receive a 10% discount code for the upcoming pre-sale at drinkgrumpycat.com.



If cat coffee isn't your thing, the long awaited Grumpy Cat plush is also making its way to a store near you. For those who have always dreamed of cuddling up to the famous sourpuss, Comics Infinity is offering an official Grumpy Cat plush for pre-order on their website. The 11" faux feline features Tardar Sauce's baby blue eyes and bubblegum pink nose, along with her signature pout. 

Which Grumpy Cat product are you most excited to get your paws on? 

Grumpy Cat Expands Her Empire With Coffee Drink, Plush Doll

Grumpy Cat Eyes Hollywood With Feature Film Deal

Forget YouTube videos and cat food commercials. Reigning feline internet queen, Grumpy Cat™, has proven once again that she's much more than just a pretty face by signing her first movie development deal, Deadline reports.

Tardar Sauce's reps (she has more than one, obviously) have teamed up with producers Todd Garner and Sean Robins, to develop what is being described as a "Garfield-like" live action feature film, starring a living, breathing, and talking Grumpy Cat (they do know that Garfield is a cartoon, and cats can't really talk, right?).

While no other specific details have been revealed, Garner opined to Deadline, “This started off as a picture of a cat, but rare is an image that evokes that much comedy. You read all of the memes and the comments, and one is funnier than the next. We think we can build a big family comedy around this character.”

Most people (and by most, I mean me) would gladly fork down their hard earned cat food cash to sit and watch Grumps nap in a sun puddle for two hours, so I'm sure this movie will be great. Just as they don't give her a creepy voice and ruin the whole thing.

Go and get yours, Tardar Sauce.

Via Deadline / Image: Facebook (The Official Grumpy Cat)

Grumpy Cat Eyes Hollywood With Feature Film Deal

Grumpy Cat Cheers Up Cancer Patients At Arizona Hospital

(Click here to watch if video doesn't load)

Being sick in the hospital is never fun, but some cancer patients in Arizona had a reason to smile last week after receiving a visit from one of the most famous cats on the internet. 

Patients at Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Western Regional Medical Center in Goodyear lined up for a meet-in-greet with Tardar Sauce, who used her grump for good as she dutifully posed for snapshots with fans.



"Getting five or 10 minutes where you're able to not be a cancer patient and to not be worried about the chemotherapy or the radiation or the surgery, and to just laugh at something inane and silly and goofy is absolutely essential to your survival," says Michelle Hastings, a patient at the hospital who got to pose with the puss.

While the Arizona native didn't exactly look happy about her therapeutic duties, her owner Tabatha Bundesen believes that she's really a people pleaser at heart. 



"It warms my heart to spread joy and I think Grumpy Cat really likes doing it despite her expression about it. But she's really happy about making people happy," she told MyFoxPhoenix.

Via MyFoxPhoenix.com

Grumpy Cat Cheers Up Cancer Patients At Arizona Hospital

Grumpy Cat Inspires Amazing Alabama Art Show

Judson Portzer

As part of her continuing quest for world domination, Tardar Sauce recently took over Lowe Mill, the largest arts & entertainment center in the southeast. Over 30 artists from the Huntsville, Alabama-based venue were inspired by her famously grumpy visage, and created original works of art in her honor. 


Calvin Hubbard


Tracey Allyn Greene

The pieces range from oil paintings and sculptures, to cool paper cut-outs, painted rocks, painted glass, and more. Fans will be able to bid on their favorites from May 27 - 31 in an online auction, with proceeds going to building a children's playground. If you're lucky enough to be in the area, there will also be a Grumpy Cat Art Show at Lowe Mill on May 31 from 6 - 9 p.m.


Holly Morningstar


Denise Williams

Event organizer Dustin Timbrook tells AL.com: "We came up with the idea of having everybody do projects based on this cat that is so popular to create a bridge to reach the general public and to help make Lowe Mill a destination for people outside of Huntsville." 

(It worked!)


Emily Bodnar


Dustin Timbrook


Katherine Purves


Ann Moeller Steverson

Visit the Lowe Mill website to learn more about the auction and art show, and to browse the entire collection of cranky kitty art.

Via Lowe Mill / AL.com

Grumpy Cat Inspires Amazing Alabama Art Show

Win Your Choice Of A Grumpy Cat, Soft Kitty, Cat in the Hat, or Felix the Cat T-Shirt From TVStoreOnline.com!

Where else are you going to find Game of Thrones and Arrested Development shirts (Call Me Maeby!!!!), A League of Their Own costumes, and an Amy Winehouse wig and tattoo set? TVStoreOnline.com of course! 


Big Bang Theory Soft Kitty T-Shirt (also available in Black and Men's sizes)



The site was launched in 2004, and has remained committed to offering the finest licensed merchandise on the market, including t-shirts, costumes, and other cool accessories featuring some of your favorite tv shows, movies, music, comics, games, and more!


Felix T-Shirt



Now y'all know how I think cats and pop culture go together like peas and carrots, so when they recently offered to give one of their culturally relevant kitty tees to one of my readers, I couldn't say no! Choose from perennial favorites likes The Cat in the Hat and Felix, to modern classics like Soft Kitty from the Big Bang Theory, and Grumpy Cat!


Japanese Cat in the Hat T-Shirt


Adorkable Cat in the Hat T-Shirt

Enter To Win!

TVStoreOnline.com had generously offered one lucky Catsparella reader the chance to win the kitty-themed t-shirt of their choice!

Choose from:
Grumpy Cat
Soft Kitty From the Big Bang Theory
Dr. Seuss's The Cat in the Hat
Felix the Cat 

To enter, leave a comment on this post telling me your shirt choice, along with your name, and some way for me to contact you if you win (email, link back to your blog or profile, Twitter, etc.) The winner be will chosen in a random drawing next Tuesday, May 14 at 5:00PM EST. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. One entry per person, please.

Good luck, and be sure to check out TVStoreOnline.com to check out their huge selection of tees and other merch.

(If you have trouble leaving a comment, please email me at catsparella@gmail.com)

[Comments are now closed. Thanks for entering!]

Win Your Choice Of A Grumpy Cat, Soft Kitty, Cat in the Hat, or Felix the Cat T-Shirt From TVStoreOnline.com!