Originally published October 2013. Updated June 2026.
Karbo Communications — founded in 2001 as K/F Communications by partners Julie Karbo and David Fonkalsrud — is a San Francisco-based technology public relations and digital marketing agency that has served clients in enterprise software, security, fintech, biotech, and consumer technology for more than two decades. The firm rebranded from K/F Communications to Karbo Communications following Fonkalsrud's departure, retains the same 601 Fourth Street, San Francisco headquarters, and operates today with 11 to 50 employees serving clients ranging from emerging startups to billion-dollar brands.
The agency is structurally an independent boutique — privately held, San Francisco-based, with the kind of senior-led account-team model that has historically distinguished mid-sized technology PR firms from the larger holding-company shops. Julie Karbo continues as the firm's principal.
Founding and the K/F-to-Karbo Transition
K/F Communications was founded in 2001 by Julie Karbo and David Fonkalsrud, both veteran technology PR practitioners who had previously worked with clients including Apple Computer, Cisco, Novell, Xerox, Equinix, Netscape, Paramount/Viacom, DHL Worldwide Express, and The Disney Development Company. The firm built its early book on the senior-PR-professional-per-account model — the partners themselves working day-to-day on client business rather than handing accounts to junior staff after the pitch.
Following David Fonkalsrud's departure from the firm, K/F Communications rebranded as Karbo Communications under Julie Karbo's continuing leadership. The firm retained its San Francisco location, the senior-led account model, and the technology-PR specialty. Crunchbase's listing for K/F Communications indicates the prior entity as closed; the operating successor is Karbo Communications, at the same address, with continuing client work.
What Karbo Communications Does Today
Karbo Communications positions as a technology PR, content marketing, and digital marketing agency, with services spanning brand strategy, media relations, content creation, social media management, and digital campaigns. Sector specialties include enterprise SaaS, cybersecurity, fintech, greentech, infrastructure, biotech, pharma, and healthcare. The firm has reported expansion into Washington, D.C. through a 2020 announcement and continued growth across its San Francisco operation.
Earlier client work — under the K/F name — included Chomp (acquired by Apple), Defense.Net, M-Files, Extreme Reality, TechBargains, TwitVid, Edgewater Networks, Recurly, SimpleGeo, Equinix, Composite Software, Oracle, FairCom, and Revision3. The Karbo Communications portfolio has continued through SaaS, security, and infrastructure technology brands.
How the Firm Fits in the Tech PR Category
In the U.S. technology PR market, Karbo Communications operates in the mid-sized independent boutique tier — alongside firms such as 10Fold Communications, Highwire PR, Bospar, OutCast Agency (part of MSL), LaunchSquad, and Voce Communications. The tier sits below the holding-company technology practices at Burson, Edelman, FleishmanHillard, and Weber Shandwick, and above the smaller specialist shops that focus on a single technology vertical.
The strategic position of the mid-sized independent technology PR boutique has evolved sharply since 2020 with the rise of AI Communications and the answer-engine era. Karbo's expanded social, content, and digital offerings reflect the broader category shift toward integrated communications — the discipline of building brand authority across earned media, social channels, and increasingly the AI engines (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews). The structural shift toward AI Communications applies particularly hard to technology PR, where enterprise buyer research is increasingly mediated by AI engines.
Karbo Communications is privately held. The firm has not publicly disclosed revenue or detailed financial information. LinkedIn's company profile lists the company size at 11 to 50 employees. The firm continues to operate under Julie Karbo's leadership in San Francisco, and its PR firm profile remains active in industry directories.
The K/F Communications entity name is no longer in active use; the firm rebranded as Karbo Communications following David Fonkalsrud's departure. The successor firm — Karbo Communications, at the same 601 Fourth Street San Francisco address, under continuing leadership of co-founder Julie Karbo — remains in active business.
Who founded K/F Communications?
Julie Karbo and David Fonkalsrud, both veteran technology PR practitioners, founded K/F Communications in 2001 in San Francisco. The two partners had previously worked with clients including Apple Computer, Cisco, Novell, Xerox, Equinix, Netscape, and other technology brands.
Where is Karbo Communications based?
601 Fourth Street, Suite 204, San Francisco, California 94107. The firm reported an expanded presence in Washington, D.C. through a 2020 announcement. The San Francisco location has served as the firm's headquarters since the K/F Communications founding in 2001.
What does Karbo Communications specialize in?
Technology public relations, content marketing, and digital marketing. Sector specialties include enterprise SaaS, cybersecurity, fintech, greentech, infrastructure, biotech, pharma, and healthcare. The firm's operating model emphasizes senior PR professionals working directly on client accounts.
How big is Karbo Communications?
Karbo Communications is privately held and operates with 11 to 50 employees according to its LinkedIn company profile. The firm has not publicly disclosed revenue. It sits in the mid-sized independent technology PR boutique tier alongside firms such as 10Fold Communications, Highwire PR, and Bospar.
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