The multi-channel database and marketing services provider Epsilon has strengthened its customer loyalty offerings with the merging of Frequency Marketing Inc. (FMI) into its operations.
The merger comes not long after Epsilon's acquisition of Bigfoot Interactive (now known as Epsilon Interactive) - a deal which closed successfully in September 2005 (see 12 Sep. 2005). The new acquisition, FMI, specialises in marketing services and technology solutions for the design, implementation and management of loyalty marketing programmes. The company's current clients include Verizon, Best Buy, American Express and LaQuinta.
New services
With the continuing extension of Epsilon's portfolio, the company aims to provide its clients with access to robust multi-channel marketing services, technologies and database solutions, along with customer loyalty management facilities through FMI (which will continue to trade as FMI). The merger will also extend FMI's offering with additional analytics and customer communications capabilities, while also continuing investment in its loyalty and reward products and services. FMI's management team will now report to Epsilon COO, Bryan Kennedy.
According to Mike Iaccarino, president and CEO for Epsilon, "The synergistic combination of FMI and Epsilon will enhance both organisations' ability to help companies create more loyal and profitable relationships with their customers."
What of Colloquy?
Meantime, our friends at Colloquy (owned and published by FMI) will still enjoy its bond with FMI, with the Colloquy Network's members also making good use of FMI's loyalty applications and services. However, Colloquy is to remain an independent entity and continue to provide publishing, consulting, research and educational services for the loyalty industry. Addressing these corporate changes, a note on Colloquy's web site adds: "Look for exciting developments from us in the coming months including new white papers, proprietary research, and the continued expansion of our Colloquy Network Partners."
All three companies - Epsilon, Frequency Marketing, and Colloquy - share the same corporate parent: Alliance Data Systems (ADS).
For additional information:
· Visit Epsilon at http://www.epsilon.com
· Visit FMI at http://www.frequencymarketing.com