Charles Communications Associates and Cornerstone Communications Ltd. Announce Strategic Alliance

San Francisco/New York — Two of the wine industry’s most respected marketing communications firms, Charles Communications Associates headquartered in San Francisco and Cornerstone Communications Ltd. in New York City, have announced a strategic alliance. With a mission to provide excellent client service, greater coverage and expert coordination between the respective agencies, this alliance will provide existing and future clients with more reach on both coasts.

As San Francisco is the anchor for the majority of the California wine market and New York the hub for leading wine importers, aligning the two cities reflects the totality of U.S. wine sales (66.6% domestic wine and 33.4% imported wine.*) Appropriate given that in 2011 the U.S. wine market became the second largest in the world at a value of $44 billion (347 million bottles sold), wine associations, wineries and growers have an ever growing need for the tools and resources both agencies offer to deliver exceptional results.

Bringing strategic marketing communications, social media & marketing savvy, creative events management, and branding expertise to the world of wine, spirits and gourmet food products, the two agencies have a track record of building and nurturing some of the leading brands in the U.S. wine market. These include, among others, Wente Family Estates, Boisset Family Estates, Purple Wine Company, Alto Adige Wines, Rías Baixas Albariño, and Winebow Imports.

With the objective to further client satisfaction and retention, as well as offer a more in-depth expertise within their respective suite of services, the alliance now offers clients greater reach and access across the country and a proven history. In 2013, Cornerstone Communications will commemorate its 23rd anniversary and Charles Communications Associates will celebrate its 10th.

Marsha Palanci, Cornerstone Founder and CEO commented, “With Cornerstone’s focus on international wineries and brands, the powerful strategic momentum created by allying our agency with Charles Communications and their California-focused portfolio was a natural fit.  We are pleased that this bicoastal alliance will offer our clients even greater capabilities and reach to manage today’s increasingly complex marketing environment.”

Kimberly Charles, Founder of Charles Communications Associates said of the alliance, “I’ve had great respect for Marsha and her company over the past 20 years. We collaborated historically on marketing programs and given our keen interest and expertise in both domestic and imported wines, we are pleased to be able to offer our clients a strong on-the-ground team in the media capital of the world.”

For more information on the two agencies, visit cornerstonepr.com and charlescomm.com or view their Twitter accounts at @marshapalanci and @charlescomm.

*Source: Gomberg & Fredrikson Annual Wine Industry Review

Media Contacts
Kimberly Charles                                                  
kcharles@charlescomm.com
T: 415-730-0064

Marsha Palanci
mpalanci@cornerstonepr.com
T: 212-605-0370