Joe's Imports
Putting Chicago's Newest Wine Bar on The Map and Keeping It There
Francesca's Restaurant Group was gearing up to launch its newest concept, Joe's Imports. A premium wine bar with exclusive, globally sourced wines and paired shared plates, Joe's Imports tasked the Mekky Media team with not only bringing customers through the door at the trendy Fulton Market location, but introducing the new hot spot to the entire city of Chicago.
The Mekky Media team developed targeted strategy that ultimately led to a successful - and widely talked about - grand opening at Joe's Imports. These strategic tactics included fully planning and executing an exclusive media-only event held before the official open date. This introduced all of Chicago's top taste makers to Joe's Imports and formed relationships that ultimately led to the lasting popularity and coverage of the bar - including multiple full page features in The Chicago Tribune and CS Modern Luxury, and a recurring spot on Eater Chicago "hot spot" roundups.
Following the grand opening, Mekky Media has remained the agency of record for Joe's Imports. The success of the opening coupled with Mekky Media's continued media outreach has regularly landed Joe's prominent placements including Modern Luxury CS's Restaurant Issue and a full-length segment on ABC 7 Chicago. Through Mekky Media's relationships and strategic communications plan and launch event, the team secured more than 70 earned media placements resulting in 204.5 million impressions over nine months.
Notable placements include:
Crain's Chicago Business, CS Modern Luxury, Chicago Tribune, Michigan Avenue Magazine, The Local Tourist, Thrillist, EATER Chicago, Men's Book, InsideHook, WBBM-AM, WSHE-FM, Restaurant Business, Wine Traveler Magazine, Chicago Food Magazine, Chicago Business Journal, Haute Living and more.
"I've never had so much PR in my life! I'm incredibly happy with the results that Mekky Media has generated for Joe's Imports. Mekky Media is not lip service - they're actually getting us press, and I'm so happy I want to cry!"
- Joe Fiely, founder of Joe's Imports