Bespoke Authority Program · Cannabis · Crisis Communication

Permit Denied.
Launch Delivered.

When Costa Mesa denied High Seas its cannabis permit with no explanation, Avaans Media pivoted from grand-opening planner to crisis communication team. Once the doors opened, the same engagement delivered 408 million in national reach.

Inc. Power Partner PR Agency since 2023 (2023, 2024, 2025) Clutch Top Boutique PR, LA Regulated Industry Specialists
●  Inc. Power Partner '23, '24, '25 ●  Clutch Top Boutique PR — Los Angeles ●  Independently Verified Client Reviews ●  100% Executive-Level Team ●  Category Exclusivity — Always
Crisis Communication › 408M National Reach › 20 Placements › 78M California Reach › Bespoke Authority › Regulated Industry Specialists › Cannabis PR › Executive-Led › Crisis Communication › 408M National Reach › 20 Placements › 78M California Reach › Bespoke Authority › Regulated Industry Specialists › Cannabis PR › Executive-Led ›

The PR Results

408M National audience reach
78M California audience reach
20 Pieces of national and statewide coverage
50% Of coverage includes the brand name in the headline

The PR Challenge

When City Hall Said No

Avaans Media was hired to run a celebrity-filled red carpet grand opening for High Seas, a 7,215 square foot dispensary set to become the first in Orange County outside Santa Ana. But weeks before the grand opening, the City of Costa Mesa denied the cannabis business permit with no explanation, after ownership had already cleared an exhaustive planning and permitting process.

The team pivoted from event planning into crisis communication. Avaans Media built storytelling opportunities out of City Council coverage, prepared spokespersons for press interviews, and kept High Seas in front of local and national media while ownership pursued legal action to secure the permit.

Once High Seas cleared to open, Avaans Media turned the delay itself into the launch story, earning coverage of the dispensary's design and technology instead of the fight that preceded it.

"We got the permits and we are opening now. I think I will be a good citizen in Costa Mesa and be positive and do good business with the city."

Rachel Xin, High Seas Co-Founder · via LA Times / Daily Pilot

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The Crisis Brief

7,215
Square-Foot Flagship
1921 Harbor Blvd, Costa Mesa.
1st
Dispensary in Orange County Outside Santa Ana
The only other OC city that had voted to permit cannabis retail.
3
Influencer Campaigns, 1M+ Views
Lifestyle influencer coverage timed around the launch.
✓
Legal Action Pursued, Permits Secured
Ownership challenged the denial. High Seas opened.

Key Services Deployed

One Engagement. Five Disciplines.

Grand Opening PR Strategy
Crisis Communication
Media Relations
Influencer Relations
Media Training

The PR Solution

Crisis First. Launch Second.

Bespoke Authority

Crisis Communication

When Costa Mesa denied the cannabis permit with no explanation, Avaans Media moved from event planning into crisis mode, protecting High Seas' brand image through months of uncertainty.

✓ Media training for spokespersons ahead of press interviews
✓ Storytelling built from City Council coverage through front-page features
✓ Proactive press management alongside ownership's legal process
✓ Brand image protected through a multi-month permitting dispute
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Bespoke Authority

Launch Amplification

Once High Seas cleared to open, Avaans Media turned the delay into the story, earning coverage of the dispensary's design and technology across California and the country.

✓ Multi-month grand opening across Earned Media, paid, and sponsored media
✓ Lifestyle influencer campaign reaching 1 million-plus views
✓ On-site lifestyle event series following the opening
✓ Purpose-driven consumer engagement program
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Coverage Included

Los Angeles Times MG Magazine Travel and Tour World MJ Biz Daily HuffPost SFGate

"Foot traffic continues to blow away initial projections throughout our engagement."

High Seas Ownership

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