Word on the Street: Fresno ag marketing company expands in China

A Fresno-based agriculture marketing company is opening offices in China to help its clients promote their products overseas.

The fast-growing Culinary Competitions International recently opened offices in Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou and Hong Kong. The company assists agriculture commodity boards and private brand food producers with international marketing.

“We are very excited about our international expansion,” said Peter DeYoung, chief executive officer of CCI. “Having offices in these specific regions will allow us to have our feet on the ground and a home base for our clients marketing throughout Asia.”

DeYoung said the company’s team in China will include agricultural marketing experts and public relations specialists.

The company recently helped organize the California Fig Festival at Fresno State that included a cooking competition and taping of a cooking show, Global Bites featuring celebrity chef Fabio Viviani.

Marilyn Cowley, vice president of marketing for CCI, said the company plans to open additional offices in other countries.

“Expanding internationally has made a big difference in helping to grow with our clients,” she said. “We are very excited for the future.”

This story was originally published September 11, 2015 at 9:44 PM with the headline "Word on the Street: Fresno ag marketing company expands in China."