How a family-owned tamale shop in LA struck marketing gold using AI: 'I made it in 10 minutes'

A small business in Los Angeles, The Original Tamale Company, has achieved remarkable success through a creative marketing approach powered by AI. A recent video created in collaboration with ChatGPT has gone viral, racking up over 22 million views and 1.2 million likes within just three weeks. The engaging 46-second clip features a humorous scenario of a man falling from an airplane without a parachute, offering tongue-in-cheek survival advice. The narrator suggests avoiding water as a landing spot, humorously explaining the dangers of hitting the surface at high speed. As the descent continues, the video cleverly pivots to promote The Original Tamale Company, showcasing its delicious menu offerings. Christian Ortega, who manages the marketing for the family-run establishment, shared that the entire video was conceptualized and shared in just ten minutes. This lightning-fast execution has led to a significant boost in followers and customer engagement. "We gained so many followers from just that one video," Ortega noted. Operating from Pacoima in the San Fernando Valley, The Original Tamale Company has been a staple in the food industry for nearly thirty years. Ortega, who grew up in the business, started by selling tamales at farmers' markets and quickly found his passion for social media marketing. He deftly combines original content with trending memes to resonate with a wider audience. The viral success of the ad has translated into increased foot traffic at the restaurant, as customers cite the video as their reason for visiting. Ortega emphasizes the importance of adding a personal touch to marketing campaigns. He explained, "If I see an idea that really clicks with the company or audience, I’ll create something right away." Using AI as a tool, Ortega balances technology with his creative instincts, stating, "I don’t see AI as anything bad. It helps speed up the process." The results speak for themselves, as the community’s reaction has brought joy and more customers through the door. "It’s very fun, especially working with family," Ortega concluded.