Since the start of the pandemic, Maroon PR has been working alongside the Restaurant Association of Maryland (RAM) to amplify key messages in support of Maryland’s restaurant industry through earned, owned and paid media.

Throughout 2020, these messages have centered on the stark reality that Maryland’s restaurant and foodservice industry has lost approximately $1.4 billion in sales and has seen as many as 150,000 restaurant employees laid off or furloughed. To date, RAM still projects that 40 percent of all of the restaurants – equivalent to 4,000 restaurants – in the state of Maryland could close permanently under mandated restrictions.

Coming off the announcements of new restrictions amid a rise in positive COVID-19 cases in Maryland, Maroon PR quickly reacted with statements, media pitches and social content to ensure that the restaurant industry’s voice is being heard during this critical time.

This holiday season has never been more critical to the survival of the local restaurant industry. As families adjust their Thanksgiving plans, RAM is encouraging the public to support local restaurants by ordering prepared meals that accommodate small, at-home gatherings or make reservations in advance to ensure a safe, stress-free holiday for all.

In the last week, Maroon PR has secured media coverage in outlets across the state including WBAL-TV and radio, WJZ-TV, Fox 45, Baltimore Sun, Washington Post, WJLA-TV, Capital News Service, Montgomery Community News and WMDT.

And in an effort to spread public support of restaurants, Maroon PR pulled together a social media campaign with paid or organic posts reaching over 28,000 people and driving over 1,200 clicks to a landing page with statewide restaurant Thanksgiving promotions.

All of these efforts built to a culminating WIN yesterday, as RAM’s CEO, Marshall Weston was invited to be a part of Governor Hogan’s press conference to reinforce that support for restaurants this holiday season is more crucial than ever.

 “No neighborhood or community is complete without the restaurants that bring them together. Masking up, respecting restrictions, and continuing to support restaurants in MD throughout the coming weeks is more important than ever.”