PLANO, Texas — Sales and marketing firm Crossmark plans to buy Marketing Werks, one of the nation’s largest independent consumer engagement companies.
Crossmark said Tuesday that the transaction, terms of which weren’t disclosed, will add out-of-store consumer engagement expertise to its marketing services division as well as lift its total annual sales, approaching nearly $1 billion.
The acquisition is expected to close on Aug. 31.
Chicago-based Marketing Werks, founded in 1987, creates personal, experiential marketing campaigns for such clients as Verizon, Walgreens, Chase and other high-profile branded companies, according to Crossmark. The firm serves such industries as telecommunications, health care, consumer packaged goods, consumer electronics and entertainment.
"This acquisition strengthens our position as the leader in field marketing. As consumers’ behavior continues to evolve, brands are seeking better ways to influence them on their path to purchase," Crossmark chief executive officer Joe Crafton said in a statement.
"Marketing Werks has an outstanding reputation for creating omnichannel campaigns and delivering value for brand owners," he added. "Ultimately, our clients will be the beneficiaries of this addition."
Plans call for Marketing Werks to become part of Crossmark Marketing Services. Jim Rose, president of Crossmark Marketing Services, will oversee Marketing Werks.
"The addition of Marketing Werks and its incredible reputation for delivering value to the marketplace will be a great addition to the strength, quality and scale of Crossmark," Rose stated. "We look forward to our new colleagues joining the Crossmark team."
Scott Moller and Julie Guida, founders and co-CEOs of Marketing Werks, will remain on the leadership team along with the company’s other senior leaders to run the daily operations, Crossmark said.
"We are inspired by the vision of combining Marketing Werks’ diverse out-of-store capabilities with Crossmark’s vast in-store expertise," Moller and Guida said in a joint statement. "This acquisition is a natural progression for what we’ve built over the years and will ultimately make our current and future clients the real winners."
