We’re going all in on branding and strategy for hospitality companies this week! David Carofano, Strategy and Commercial Director at Crown Creative joins as Dan’s guest to discuss the importance of branding in the hospitality industry, from conceptualizing a new project to breathing life into an established brand. David shares his journey, starting from a teenager working in restaurants to becoming a thought leader in hospitality branding. He highlights successful case studies such as the rebranding of The Dead Rabbit and emphasizes the role of brand strategy in creating memorable hospitality experiences. The conversation offers valuable insights for hospitality professionals looking to elevate their brand and connect deeply with their audience.

Takeaways: 

• Integrate branding and strategy early in the project development process. Clearly define the brand and ensure everyone involved understands its core values and mission.
• Develop a comprehensive brand book or playbook that outlines your brand’s mission, vision, values, and strategy. This living document should guide all aspects of your business and be referred to regularly.
• Ensure that every aspect of the guest experience, from design and music to service and food, aligns with your brand’s story and mission. Every detail should contribute to the overall brand experience.
• Communicate your brand’s core values and mission regularly to staff, partners, and new team members. This ensures that everyone is aligned and working towards the same goals.
• Work closely with design and branding experts to ensure that the physical spaces and experiences reflect your brand accurately and creatively.

Quote of the Show:

“ I learned everything there is to know about front and back of house and I just sort of fell in love with it. I fell in love with the people, the energy, the chaos, the camaraderie of it, every bit of it.” - David Carofano

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-carofano-25705226/ 
• Website: https://www.crowncreative.com/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crowncreative/ 

Shout Outs:

• 4:51 - School of Visual Arts https://sva.edu/ 
• 5:43 - AvroKo https://www.avroko.com/ 
• 11:12 - Debbie Millman https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahmillman/ 
• 13:17 - Local Projects https://www.localprojects.com/ 
• 14:24 - Jake Barton https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-barton-b5a42235/ 
• 17:48 - Marriott https://www.marriott.com/default.mi 
• 27:30 - Ryan Crown https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryantcrownnyc/ 

🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ 

Ways to Tune In: 

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPX
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386
• Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1s
• Amazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419
• Transistor: https://www.defininghospitality.live/