Barry Callebaut USA today announced it has selected Quest Fore as its agency of record. The Pittsburgh-based strategic marketing communications firm will handle all brand marketing, advertising, sales support and promotional initiatives for the chocolate manufacturer throughout its North American markets.

"We've been working with the Quest Fore team over the past year, and we've been extremely impressed with the innovative brand marketing approach and high level of personal attention that they've brought to our account," said Parveen Werner, Barry Callebaut's marketing director, Americas. "We view Quest Fore as the ideal strategic marketing partner to help us achieve the growth objectives we've established for Barry Callebaut USA in 2011."

Barry Callebaut is the world's largest manufacturer of high-quality cocoa and chocolate products for food manufacturers, global retailers, professional chefs and consumers. Based in Zurich, Switzerland, and with U.S. headquarters in Chicago, the company features leading brands such as Cacao Barry, Callebaut and Van Leer.

"It's a tremendous honor to be selected for this new partnership with a company as prestigious as Barry Callebaut," said Scott Witalis, senior vice president, strategic client services for Quest Fore. "Barry Callebaut shares our passion for producing a premium product, and there's already a great deal of synergy between our two organizations. We look forward to bringing the full benefit of our extensive food industry experience to Barry Callebaut's marketing initiatives."

Barry Callebaut USA also has chosen Quest Fore to promote its Chocolate Academy. Located in Chicago, Barry Callebaut's Chocolate Academy is a teaching and training center for artisans and professionals who want to improve their working skills in chocolate while learning about new trends, techniques and recipes.