A Woman of Prominence: How Dawn Farahi Built One of PR’s Most Influential Agencies
by Steve Kieva
Dawn Farahi is the Founder and CEO of OneSeven Agency, where she blends strategic vision, powerful relationships and a hands-on approach to deliver exceptional results for her clients. With nearly three decades of experience in the PR and marketing world, Dawn leads a powerhouse team representing premier clients in restaurants, hospitality, luxury real estate, consumer lifestyle and entertainment across the country.
Her career is built on sharp instincts, enduring industry connections and a unique talent for turning big ideas into measurable success. A seasoned red carpet pro, Dawn has orchestrated hundreds of high-profile events—securing media coverage and coordinating talent appearances with ease. Known for her flawless execution, she seamlessly brings together traditional press and digital creators to maximize exposure and generate buzz. Over the years, she has worked with A-list celebrities, professional athletes and reality stars, crafting standout moments that capture headlines and spark social engagement.
Throughout her career, Dawn has partnered with a wide range of iconic brands and companies, including celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse, Delmonico Steakhouse, The ONE Group (STK, Kona Grill, Benihana), Netflix, Harwood Hospitality, The Swexan, Evocargo (Dubai), Foxwoods Resort & Casino, Chef John Tesar and Knife Dallas, 50 Eggs Hospitality Group (Yardbird, Chica), Grand Canal Shoppes, Fashion Show, The District at Green Valley Ranch, Calida Group, Hyatt Place, Keep Memory Alive/Cleveland Clinic Nevada, Affinity Gaming, Silverton Casino Lodge, Lyft, Yamashiro Hollywood, Sugar Factory, Cipriani, Lawry’s Restaurants, Xperience Restaurant Group (Chevys, Solita, Sol Cocina), Broken Yolk Cafe, Blue Desert Cabo, Mott 32, Pink Taco, 8182 Group, Lotus of Siam, Pandora, Givenchy, Cole Haan, Ben Sherman, Tory Burch, Sprinkles Cupcakes, Viceroy L’Ermitage, and MVP (Merging Vets & Players).
Before founding OneSeven, Dawn served as executive corporate director of communications for Sands Corp., where she played a pivotal role in the $1.9 billion grand opening of The Palazzo in Las Vegas.
Since launching OneSeven, Dawn has grown the agency into an award-winning firm with both regional and national reach. Under her leadership, OneSeven has earned more than two dozen PRSA Pinnacle Awards, a national PRSA Anvil and a Silver State Award for Best Public Relations Firm. Dawn herself has been honored as PRSA’s “PR Practitioner of the Year,” one of Deluxe Version magazine’s “Top Twenty Women of the Year,” and among The Real Vegas’ “Women Who Wow.”
A trendspotter with a sharp eye for innovation, Dawn helped pioneer the influencer marketing space in Las Vegas and expanded her agency’s impact to key markets across the U.S. Through authentic relationships and creative campaigns, OneSeven continues to set new standards in the industry.
Beyond the boardroom, Dawn is deeply committed to giving back. She supports a variety of nonprofits and frequently mentors students and aspiring professionals. In 2024, she and agency President Carrie Giverson were recognized as VEGAS magazine’s “Dynamic Women of Honor.”
Outside of work, Dawn enjoys good wine, great conversation and a healthy dose of Bravo drama. She shares her life and business with her husband and OneSeven Co-Founder, H Farahi—and their globe-trotting Shih Tzu, Meili, who, of course, runs the show.
Casino Player had the chance to ask Dawn a few questions
CP: What kind of work does OneSeven do in Las Vegas?
DF: Actually, my agency, OneSeven, isn’t a traditional “public relations firm” in the classic sense—we’re an integrated marketing agency. That means we go beyond press releases and media coverage to offer a full mix of services that build brand awareness, drive traffic and create real impact for our clients. Our work encompasses public relations, digital marketing and social media, influencer relations, creative services, advertising, brand strategy, experiential events and strategic brand partnerships—all in-house.
What really sets us apart is that we don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. Whether we’re launching a new restaurant, promoting a resort or managing a high-profile media campaign, we tailor everything to the brand and the market—and we do it with intention, strategy and heart.
What experiences or turning points led you to start OneSeven Agency?
I started OneSeven because, at the time, there just weren’t any truly integrated agencies and I knew firsthand how frustrating that could be. When I was working in-house, we had to hire separate agencies for PR, social media, branding, creative, digital—it was a logistical headache. Messaging would get lost, teams weren’t aligned and the overall strategy was never cohesive. It became clear that it takes a fully integrated marketing approach to actually build and sustain a brand, not just one piece of the puzzle.
So I set out to create what I felt was missing: an agency built with specialists, not generalists. I hired experts in their fields—PR, influencer, digital, creative, etc.—and we all work together under one roof. That kind of collaboration is invaluable to our clients (and our agency). They’re not just getting an outside vendor, they’re gaining a strategic team that understands their brand from every angle and works together to drive results.
We started here in Las Vegas, which gave us a unique edge—it’s a market driven by entertainment, hospitality and constant reinvention. That foundation taught us how to move fast, think creatively and make brands stand out in a crowded space. Over the years, we’ve expanded nationally, with clients and teams now in Los Angeles, Dallas, Seattle and beyond. But we’re still proudly headquartered in Las Vegas, and our roots here continue to shape the way we work.
Is there one project that you worked on that stands out to you?
It’s hard to pick just one. We’ve had the opportunity to work on so many exciting and meaningful projects across a wide range of industries and markets. From launching resorts and restaurants on the Las Vegas Strip to opening celebrity-owned venues, producing red carpets and major photo shoots and leading national campaigns and influencer strategies in cities like LA, Cabo, San Francisco, Miami and Dallas—each project brings its own energy and creative opportunity.
What stands out most isn’t a single moment, but the range of brands we’ve helped build and the trust our clients place in us to bring their vision to life. Whether it’s a high-profile opening, building a brand from scratch, navigating a crisis, executing a rebrand, creating a viral moment or launching a national media campaign, we thrive in the strategy, the pressure and the collaboration it takes to deliver.
I know from personal experience you’ve got an awesome team at OneSeven. What’s a typical day like at the office?
Thank you, I’m really proud of the team we’ve built. No two days at OneSeven are ever the same, and that’s what makes it exciting. There’s always something happening—a new business meeting in the conference room, clients stopping by to review creative, team brainstorms or someone jumping on a call to discuss a campaign launch. You might find us in full production mode for a photo shoot, prepping for a TV segment, negotiating influencer contracts, designing logos, having lunch with media, booking models, writing, researching, handling a crisis or on a Google Meet with a client in another time zone. And there’s always someone talking to someone, whether it’s a client, a partner or a reporter.
We have a dog-friendly office, so our “Director of Cuteness,” my Shih Tzu Meili, is often making her rounds for belly rubs. We do “TikTok Tuesdays” where the team shoots content, and some days you’ll find us in full assembly-line mode putting together gift bags or media mailers.
It’s fast-paced and high-energy, but also incredibly collaborative. We’ve built a culture where everyone brings something unique to the table—from PR and influencer to creative, digital and strategy—and that’s what makes our work so dynamic.
Even with the hustle, there’s a lot of laughter, support and mutual respect. We work hard, we celebrate wins and we genuinely enjoy building this together.
Your most recent project was Jason Aldean’s Kitchen, which just opened in Las Vegas. I’m sure Casino Player readers would love to know—what are the stages involved in opening a property of this caliber?
Opening a high-profile venue like Jason Aldean’s Kitchen in Las Vegas is a major undertaking, and as an agency, our team is fully involved every step of the way. It begins with strategy: defining the brand positioning, tone of voice and messaging that will resonate both locally and nationally. From there, we build out a full communications plan that includes everything from media outreach and influencer strategy to social media, content creation, partnerships and launch events.
In the months leading up to the opening, it’s all about precision. We work closely with the client, creative teams, internal staff and media to align messaging and build buzz, while also managing press announcements, influencer strategy and media requests. From coordinating ribbon-cuttings with local officials to writing scripts and aligning schedules across talent and leadership, every detail is locked in for maximum impact. For Jason Aldean’s Kitchen, securing an exclusive with Entertainment Tonight gave the launch national visibility and strong momentum. With a venue that blends country music, Southern hospitality, great food and live entertainment, our goal was to bring the brand to life in a way that felt authentic to Jason Aldean and uniquely suited for Las Vegas.
We also manage the grand opening day, which involves talent, press, red carpet logistics, photo ops and making sure every single detail reflects the brand’s vision.
And it doesn’t stop after the grand opening—that’s just the beginning. We need to sustain momentum and build long-term brand equity post-launch and well beyond opening week.
What are your life’s pleasures outside of the office?
Travel is definitely at the top of the list. I love exploring new places, especially abroad, and finding inspiration through food, culture and fashion. Whether it’s a quick weekend getaway or a European adventure, it’s my favorite way to recharge. I’ve recently taken up pickleball, and am contemplating starting golf. I also love spending quality time with my husband, trying a new restaurant, wine tasting or just relaxing at home. Those moments are everything to me. And of course, I can’t forget Meili, my Shih Tzu and little buddy, who joins us just about everywhere.
When I do get a rare quiet night, and I am not taking a reformer Pilates class, you’ll probably find me at home with a glass of wine and my favorite Bravo and Netflix shows. It’s important to balance the hustle with the things and people that make you feel grounded, grateful and happy.
What’s it like being married to—and working side by side every day with—your husband and OneSeven co-founder, H. Farahi?
It’s definitely a unique dynamic and one I’m so grateful for. H and I have very different strengths, which makes us a strong and balanced team. He’s incredibly creative, strategic and detail-oriented, and he sees things from a design, operational and financial lens; while I focus more on the storytelling, relationships and big-picture brand strategy. We challenge each other, support each other, and both care deeply about the work and the people we work with.
And we’re not doing it alone. Carrie Giverson has been with us since the early days and has played a huge role in building OneSeven alongside us. She’s not just our president, she’s a true partner in the business and has been instrumental in growing the agency and shaping who we are today.
Of course, there’s always a balance when your personal and professional lives come together, but building something meaningful with people you trust and respect, both personally and professionally, is a rare and amazing thing.
