Client: The Shops at Willow Bend
SERVING UP MEDIA ATTENTION FOR A RESTAURANT DISTRICT
The Shops at Willow Bend in Plano is deep into its $125 million mall renovation project that encompasses a long list of upcoming attractions, including the redesigned restaurant row, named The District at Willow Bend. The District is set to open fall 2018 and features a courtyard atmosphere, terrace-level seating and five, chef-driven restaurants.
Willow Bend wanted to host an event that would welcome the new restaurants to Plano and give community members a chance to sample the newest eateries before they open to the public. Three Box was tasked with earning media coverage that would spread the word and build excitement for the celebration - we couldn’t wait to dig in.
LISTEN
Willow Bend had a full plate. They needed to promote five restaurants – Knife, Whistle Britches, Mexican Bar Co. Cocina, Terra Mediterranean and Ascension Annex – in a way that was as unique as the restaurants themselves to help drive event ticket sales and increase anticipation for The District’s grand opening.
BUILD
Months before the sneak-peek celebration, Three Box organized a hard-hat media tour for local reporters to get a behind-the-scenes look at each of the restaurants while they were still under construction. We kept in touch with our contacts, shared formal updates on The District and crafted individualized pitches to development, retail and restaurant reporters we thought might be hungry for more.
IMPACT
The District at Willow Bend received in-depth coverage from The Dallas Morning News, WFAA-TV’s “Good Morning Texas,” CultureMap Dallas, Dallas Observer, Nation’s Restaurant News and more. Plus, The District welcomed more than 400 guests to the sneak peek celebration, which created even more excitement for Plano’s newest dining destination.