Oct. 13, 2009 (PR Newswire) --

CHICAGO, Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- 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 $150 million 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, 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 SCC's success is its entrepreneurial culture. Along with equity stakes it has taken in several client businesses, in 2004, SCC's entrepreneurial spirit resulted in the founding of West Loop Beverage, Inc. Leveraging a wealth of new product development and beverage category experience they partnered with former Canfield's client Leo Novosel to create 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. Hogwash distribution quickly spread throughout the Midwest and central plains states and in a short time the brand approached the 100,000 case threshold. It is now in distribution in over 6,000 retail outlets.

Hogwash's quick ascent in popularity attracted the attention of a major bottling operation. What initially started as a manufacturing and distribution partnership recently led to an offer to buy the Hogwash brand from West Loop. The sale of the Hogwash brand, which closed in September, is the second brand that SCC's West Loop unit has successfully created, incubated and sold in less than five years.

"West Loop is a great example of what SCC's entrepreneurial agency culture brings to our clients' businesses. We understand the consumer, and we understand how they think about brands," 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 category giants like Coke and Pepsi. I'm very, very proud of our accomplishments because there is, perhaps, no tougher, more crowded category to compete in. If we can be successful in that environment with our brands, we tell our prospective clients, imagine what we could do for yours."

SCC was launched as an integrated concept and has expanded its service offerings organically to include, in addition to advertising, digital, public relations, promotions, sponsorships and events, 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 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.schafercondoncarter.com.

SOURCE Schafer Condon Carter