Maiz y Agave: Launch Strategy

Objective

Develop and execute a fully integrated marketing and media strategy to support the launch of Maíz y Agave, a high-end Mexican culinary concept.
The goal: generate buzz, drive targeted traffic, and establish the restaurant as a must-visit dining destination from day one.

Strategy & Execution

1. Influencer Seeding & Content Amplification

Prior to opening, we invited select influencers to experience Maíz y Agave through a "Special Access" preview event, allowing us to produce premium content in advance.

• That content was repurposed into a targeted paid campaign with a compelling CTA: "Request an Invite to the Grand Opening."
• The strategy drove anticipation and demand before the restaurant officially opened.

2. Media Push & Ribbon Cutting Activation

We coordinated a high-visibility media campaign tied to the ribbon-cutting ceremony with the mayor and city officials in attendance.

• Local broadcast and lifestyle publications covered the event, providing instant third-party credibility.
• The media coverage was leveraged further through social channels and remarketing.

Outlets for Grand Opening:
Mayor Vince Lago — Instagram
World Red Eye — Grand Opening Coverage

3. Long-Term SEO & Paid Media Strategy

Six months prior to launch, we began building digital momentum:

• SEO efforts focused on high-intent terms like "Best Mexican in Coral Gables" and "Fine Dining Latin Cuisine."
• A paid media strategy (Meta, Google, YouTube) helped warm up audiences and build familiarity with the brand and location.

4. Community Integration

To establish a strong presence within the local community, we:

• Joined local chambers of commerce and professional associations
• Engaged with community organizations to maintain visibility and foster relationships

5. Visual Location Recognition

We created location-specific video ads that featured the storefront and signage, so potential customers would instantly recognize it while passing by.

• Geo-targeted social and OTT placements helped capture interest in real time.

6. Discovery Platform Optimization

We ensured Maíz y Agave appeared on all major platforms — Google Maps, OpenTable, Yelp, DoorDash and other delivery apps — with listings fully optimized for branding, visuals, and keyword visibility.

7. Award Submissions & Local Tastemaker Outreach

We submitted Maíz y Agave for local culinary awards to build long-term credibility.
We also invited well-known locals and cultural influencers to dine early and share their experiences, accelerating word-of-mouth reach.

Results

• Grand Opening at capacity, with pre-launch buzz driving hundreds of "Request an Invite" submissions
• Media coverage secured in local press, food blogs, and lifestyle outlets
• Strong local visibility across search engines and maps
• Sustained brand awareness and engagement post-launch, supported by ongoing digital and community efforts