FAQs
Restaurants and F&B
1
How far in advance of a restaurant opening should we hire a marketing agency?
Example: 1 year to six months before doors open. National and regional long-lead publications work on [X]-month timelines, and the pre-opening window is when the chef and concept story gets built. Restaurants that wait until the week of a soft opening are limited to local listings and whoever happens to walk in.
Do you work with single restaurants or only restaurant groups?
Both. We've worked with independent single-location concepts and with groups managing rollouts across multiple markets, including [Goode Co., Emmer & Rye Hospitality, Jason Dady].
What's the difference between restaurant PR and restaurant marketing?
PR earns third-party credibility through press, awards and chef positioning. Marketing buys attention through paid media, creative and influencer partnerships. Most restaurants need both, and we run them together rather than handing you off between agencies.
Hotels and Hospitality
2
When should a hotel hire a PR agency before opening?
Nine to twelve months out. Luxury and lifestyle travel publications work four to six months ahead, and preview stays, photography and press materials all have to exist before those conversations start. Opening-day coverage is booked long before opening day.
Do you work with independent hotels or major flags?
Both. Our hotel practice started with the launch of Hotel Saint Cecilia and now spans independent and boutique properties through major flags, including [Muy'Ono, Commodore Perry Estate, Omni properties across Texas, Hotel Lucine].
Do you market hotel restaurants and bars?
Yes, and it's often the fastest demand driver a property has. A destination restaurant fills seats from the local market and gives travel media a reason to cover the hotel that isn't just another room reveal.
Tourism and Destination Marketing
3
Do you have experience with CVB and DMO RFPs?
Yes. We've held destination accounts including Visit Phoenix, Pensacola, Florida's Sports Coast, and New Mexico, and we hold WBE, SBE, and HUB certifications for procurement requirements. [Add: X years, X DMO accounts.]
What is a media FAM trip and do you organize them?
A familiarization trip brings journalists and creators into the destination to experience it firsthand, which produces coverage no press release can. We design the itinerary, select and vet the media list, coordinate partners and hotels, and manage on-the-ground logistics.
How do you report destination marketing results?
Against the framework the DMO is accountable for, typically visitation and overnight stays, partner co-op participation and value delivered, earned media reach in target feeder markets, and destination sentiment. We build the reporting to survive a board presentation.
Can you support a destination through a crisis?
Yes. We've handled destination reputation work through weather events and negative news cycles, covering rapid-response messaging, partner and stakeholder alignment, and the harder second phase of restoring travel intent after coverage moves on.
Do you run co-op programs with local partners?
Yes. Partner co-op is often where a DMO budget stretches furthest, and we build programs that give hotels, attractions, and restaurants a real role rather than a logo placement.