Chicago’s fast-growing independent shop reaches $150MM in billings.
Chicago, IL (October 13, 2009) – Schafer Condon Carter (SCC), one of Chicago’s fastest-growing independent integrated marketing agencies, marks its 20th year in business—and 20th year of consecutive growth—in October. Founded in 1989 with “two guys, zero clients and one apartment”, SCC will this year, in what has been a very difficult economy for most agencies, exceed $150MM in client billings across a wide range of brands, categories and channels.
SCC has earned a reputation for its scrappy, entrepreneurial approach to producing powerful brand ideas and non-traditional thinking. The agency’s client roster has grown to include Armour-Eckrich, Brunswick Corp., Solo Cup Company, New Chapter Organics, General Mills, McCain Foods, Land ‘O Lakes, Garvey’s Office Products, PepsiAmericas, Cobra Electronics, Kicker Audio, GoodFoods Group and ConAgra Foods. Most recently, SCC was named brand agency of record for Buffets, Inc.’s portfolio of casual dining chains.
“There have been dramatic shifts in the business environment during the past two decades,” said Tim Condon, chief executive officer of Schafer Condon Carter. “But one thing that’s remained constant is marketers’ quest for fresh, innovative and creative thinking.”
At the core of the SCC’s success is its entrepreneurial culture. In 2005, that inventive spirit resulted in the founding of West Loop Beverage, Inc., a brand incubator and marketer in the highly competitive soft drink category. West Loop’s first brand launch was Hogwash Juice Drinks, a line of fruity 10-net-carb, 35-calorie fruit drinks aimed at Moms with children 6-12. Its distribution quickly spread throughout the Midwest and central plains states and the brand will sell over 6 million units in 2010.
Hogwash’s fast rise attracted the attention of Wis-Pak, a major bottling operation that packs Pepsi products for a network of Pepsi distributors. What initially started as a packing and distribution partnership led to an offer from Wis-Pak to buy the brand outright. The sale of the Hogwash brand to Wis-Pak, which closed in September, is the second brand that SCC’s West Loop unit has successfully incubated and sold.
“One of the best testaments to the success of SCC’s entrepreneurial agency culture is our West Loop venture, where we are both the client as well as the agency.” says Condon. “It’s unique that, as an agency, we are inventing and building brands that are thriving in difficult market conditions while competing against major players like Coke and Pepsi. I’m very, very proud of our accomplishments because there is, perhaps, no tougher, more crowded category to compete in.”
SCC was launched as an integrated concept and has expanded its service offerings organically to include advertising, public relations, promotions, sponsorships and events, digital, and in-house studio production. Wholly owned operating units—including SCC|Grossman Public Relations, SCC|Digital and SCC|Gravitas—provide marketing counsel and integrated brand messaging stewardship across an infinite set of consumer touch points.
The Buffets Inc. assignment marked the fourth significant client win for SCC in 2009 and over $50 million in new billings in the last 12 months. In 2008, the agency announced multi-brand wins from Armour-Eckrich Meats, Cobra Electronics, Kicker Audio, GoodFoods Group, Garvey’s Office Products, and Land O’Lakes Foodservice. SCC also expanded creative capabilities via its acquisition of Romani Bros.
About Schafer|Condon|Carter
SCC is a leading privately held, integrated marketing services agency with a proven history of producing results-focused programs. SCC is based in Chicago and its wholly owned network includes SCC|Grossman Public Relations, SCC|Digital and Gravitas Sponsorships & Event Marketing. The agency employs more than 60 people. For more information visit www.sccadv.com.
Contacts:
Liane Adduci-Urevig
312.994.2451
liane@ad-publicrelations.com
Brad Drew
312.994.2452
brad@ad-publicrelations.com
