SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 21, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Andrew Freeman, founder of af&co., one of the country's leading boutique restaurant and hospitality marketing and media relations firms, is thrilled to announce the launch of a new agency, Carbonate. Founded with longtime af&co. team member Candace MacDonald, Carbonate will leverage af&co.'s 15 years of hospitality industry insights and expertise to offer expanded creative strategy and brand communications services. The new agency will take over af&co.'s Consulting Services, the division previously led by MacDonald. Freeman's San Francisco-based af&co. will celebrate its 15th anniversary this year and continues to offer lifestyle marketing and media relations services.
Carbonate has clients nationwide and team members located strategically in multiple regions throughout the US. "Carbonate is a natural extension of the af&co. consulting services that we've seen our clients requesting," Freeman explains. "The industry has changed quite significantly over the past five years and having a clear brand identity has never been more important. The market is crowded and hospitality companies must have a clear vision and plan for standing out. The launch of Carbonate as an independent agency will allow us to offer those services in an expanded way. At the same time, our team at af&co. continues to service our marketing and public relations clients. The two companies will work together, being able to support businesses at different stages of their life cycle."
Carbonate has partnered with af&co. in producing the annual af&co. Hospitality Trend Report. Now in its twelfth year, the report has become a leading industry resource.
As Co-Founder and Managing Director, Candace MacDonald will oversee Carbonate's day to day operation and ongoing development strategy. "af&co's Consulting Services team, created, launched, and refined the brand identities for over 40 different hospitality brands from growing national chains to international food products to food related technology companies." MacDonald explains, "Our industry-specific focus has allowed us to translate the creative vision behind our clients' projects into successful communications programs that build brand identity and generate revenue. With Carbonate, we will be able to invest in bringing these services more meaningfully to a wider array of clients within the hospitality space."
Carbonate works with clients nationwide including restaurants, property development groups, specialty food purveyors, hotels and operators. Services include: brand strategy, market positioning, concept development, naming, visual and verbal identity development, websites, content development and strategic public relations and more.
About Carbonate: Carbonate is a brand communications and creative services agency specializing in food, beverage and hospitality. Services include: brand strategy, market positioning, concept development, naming, visual and verbal identity development, websites, content development and strategic public relations. Prior to launching as an independent company, Carbonate was a division of San Francisco-based af&co., a hospitality consulting firm that specializes in restaurants and hotels. Using industry insights, strategic thinking, and creative vision, Carbonate helps clients rise to the top of a competitive marketplace. @carbonategroup
SOURCE Carbonate
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