About our Publisher

Dirk R. Hobbs, is a 30-year senior-level marketing executive and strategist who has served as Chief Marketing Officer for a national biotech/medical research organization, one NHRA and two NASCAR motor-sports programs and numerous national and regional brands. He has consulted on more than 300 feasibility studies, business plans and capital campaigns nationwide.

In 2001, he turned his attention to publishing - specifically medical publishing, where he established himself as a trusted resource for health systems, biotech and physician practices who were working to capitalize on their branding and positioning elements as well as, their overall marketing and development strategies.

Having earned the trust of the medical community in the western U.S. and several east coast systems, Hobbs went on to serve as a junior lobbyist and became known as a true “physician advocate”, so much so, one of CO’s health systems hired Hobbs to assist them with a key strategic initiative, which he completed in 2020.

Once again a free-agent, Hobbs set his sites on his own community - the burgeoning northern communities of Colorado Springs & El Paso County, Colorado.

Ever the media entrepreneur, he established a concept that would help create connectivity and community among this relatively new, but exploding population of northern El Paso County. He saw several micro-economies evolving such as a world-class entertainment district, an emerging “foodie scene”, medical, retail, lodging and tourism, resort lifestyle, and family recreation.

With no substantive media outlet attending to this highly active region of the community, Hobbs knew area businesses large and small, both local and regional, would love to reach this new, untouched market which accounted for nearly 50,000 new lives since 2018, and nearly 250 new businesses north of Briargate Blvd. As a business owner, he knew that one of the missing pieces was a high-quality, communique that would capture the essence of the growing area.

He also knew that the right kind of publication would serve as an economic development tool for local business executives, professionals, owners and community leaders, as well as, and service providers who wanted to conduct outreach, business development, and marketing efforts with the local consumer base.

Add to that, Hobbs’ 30 years of marketing expertise, area businesses get more than a media company. NORTH builds longterm business partnerships that focus on strategy in reaching consumers and prospective customers, going so far as to even directing local businesses to other resources that would be more precise for specific business needs, foregoing otherwise easy ad sales. Consulting is a very familiar role for Hobbs, as it is his natural inclination to want to see businesses thrive and not waste precious resources.

After careful feasibility research, and countless area focus-groups, Hobbs created Colorado Media Group, which released its first edition of NORTH in October 2021.

Since that time, NORTH has reached its one-year anniversary and has profiled some of the community’s most extraordinary leaders and contributors, all the while, maintaining an approachable look and feel that has readers and interests across the spectrum raving about NORTH. They have also attracted some of the most talented creative talents in the community!

As one local elected official put it, “NORTH - not just a magazine - it’s a way of life!”, a slogan that now appears on ColoradoMediaGroup.com.

In the year since launch, NORTH has become a go-to resource for local businesses who want to expand their message and offerings to the newest areas of the city, as well as, those who want to further brand and position themselves with long-time residents in the northern communities.

“This publication is an experience for all involved. It is a substantive portrait of those who live, work and play in our amazing community and who contribute to the enrichment of our lives. I love Colorado Springs and I love how we’ve grown. I love connecting people who would otherwise never meet and to helping to make our local economy thrive. I enjoy seeing people brim with confidence after they have told their story in a meaningful way. The art of storytelling is foundational to NORTH. --Dirk R. Hobbs, Founder

Publishing Awards

Medical Publisher of the Year - 20007-2012, 2015-16

National Publisher’s Leadership Counsel

Entrepreneur of the Year Runner Up - 2008/COS EDC Top 40 Under 40 - COS Business Journal - 2008

Circle of Excellence - Sunshine Media 2007-14

The Everest Award by The American Ad Federation -2022-23

Some of NORTH’s Regional Partners

Colorado Springs Sports Corporation

Visit COS

Colorado Springs Airport

Air Force Academy Athletics

Rocky Mountain Vibes Baseball

Notes LIVE!

YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region

Colorado Springs Community Cultural Collective

KKTV - 11 NEWS

Cultural Offices of the Pikes

Peak Region - COPPeR

Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce

COS Hispanic Chamber of Commerce