Paul Barron, founder and publisher of FastCasual.com, has left the website and its publisher, NetWorld Alliance, to focus on a new venture in the digital marketing and branding space.
Barron is launching a restaurant industry incubator group called DigitalCoCo, which will provide digital brand development for restaurant groups and fast casual franchise operators.
“We are now in the third era of the Web,” said Barron, who has spent most of his career developing online media brands and audiences. “First it was new media, then web 2.0 and now social media. DigitalCoco will help brands compete in this third era and be prepared for what’s coming.”
Barron’s primary agency work will be to partner with leading fast casual brands to develop and execute digital marketing and branding strategies. He plans to announce his first partners in August.
Barron will remain in his role on the National Restaurant Association’s Fast Casual Industry Council and continue as chairman of the Fast Casual Executive Summit. He also will act as a social media advisor to NetWorld Alliance.
“I look forward to continuing our working relationship with Paul,” said Tom Harper, president of NetWorld Alliance. “He has helped us as an online publisher plant our flag in the social media world. I know he’ll do the same for many restaurant brands, too.”
