San Antonio based Wasabi Creative Cooks Up Big Win with Culinary Institute of America

San Antonio, TX (PRWEB) June 28, 2012

San Antonio based design and marketing firm, Wasabi Creative is celebrating a major coup, as the creative agency selected to develop branding for the restaurant NAO at The Culinary Institute of America, slated to open at the San Antonio campus in August. The campus is one of three US CIA sites and is part of the growing food renaissance San Antonio is experiencing. Wasabi’s award-winning work and expertise in food and beverage marketing helped them win the account which will include branding and creative services for the new restaurant.    

Started by San Antonio advertising veterans, Keoni Viriyapunt and Steve Brand, Wasabi Creative offers over 40 years of combined advertising experience that includes branding & design, ad campaign creation & management, multi-media software development, point-of-purchase and print design, in addition to creative production for clients such as (512) Brewing Company, Rackspace & Privilege Club.

Coming off a major win early this year at the San Antonio’s Addy awards, with four awards for their work with Austin based craft brewery, (512) Brewing Company, Wasabi continues to build a presence in the competitive Central Texas agency market. A big part of that success is a unique business model that provides clients with end-to-end creative services, from concept to fulfillment. “Our clients find real value in our ability to take projects from strategy, to design and all the way through (the often tedious) production process,” says principal Steve Brand. “We bring years of strategic branding and creative execution experience to the table—coupled with our in-house digital production and web hosting capabilities, we really offer clients a one-stop shop.” says principal Keoni.

Wasabi’s comprehensive service offerings and deep food and beverage marketing expertise were key in winning creative services for NAO. The new addition to the CIA San Antonio will highlight new world cuisine that students and celebrity chefs will be creating. The concept called for a team with a deep understanding of food that could deliver cutting edge design.
(512) Brewing Company founder, Kevin Brand cites Wasabi’s expertise and unique A-Z services model as a key component of their continued success. “Wasasbi created an incredible brand strategy that has helped us be a standout in the exploding Austin craft brewery scene. They were with us all the way, from strategy to hanging signage at our national tradeshow booth. That type of creative partner is invaluable to success of our business.“

The founders of Wasabi come with a rich background in the advertising and media industries. Keoni moved to Texas from Hawaii to attend the San Antonio Art Institute. After graduation Keoni excelled in the industry with creative vision and contemporary designs, working for small, large and eventually his own agency. Keoni has previously worked with the following food & beverage accounts, Corona Extra Beer, Modelo & Negra Modelo Beer, Jose Cuervo, Pioneer Flour Mill and Taco Cabana.
Steve has an advertising degree from North Texas and has spent 18+ years in design, multi-media software development, project management and print production in the retail marketing space developing strategy then designing collateral and developing engaging ad campaigns and point-of-purchase promotional materials. Steve is tech-savvy and also designs and develops content strategy for social media, web interfaces, email marketing and other digital marketing channels. Steve has previously worked with the following food & beverage accounts, Churches Chicken, Arby’s, Little Ceasars, Wingstop, Wahoo’s, Lion & Rose, Fazoli’s and White Castle.

Wasabi Creative is a small boutique firm with the expertise and experience of large global agencies. They are able to provide the high touch, personal creative interaction and design that is associated with the small, nimble firms but paired with the knowledge and insight and experience gained from working with some of the world’s largest brands.

About Wasabi Creative
Wasabi Creative is a San Antonio based creative agency specializing in corporate identity, collateral development, advertising, package design, website development and social media, point-of-purchase and collateral design and production and digital marketing services. They serve clients in the retail and business to business markets, with specialization in food & beverage, technology and sales promotions industries. More information can be found at http://www.addwasabi.com

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