Acosta Group completed its acquisition of Crossmark, including its headquarter sales agency and retail solutions businesses, and Product Connections, a specialized marketing services business, from WIS International.
Jacksonville, Florida-based Acosta Group is a collective of retail, marketing and foodservice agencies empowering brands and retailers across all channels—including convenience—to win in the modern marketplace, according to the company.
The agreement to acquire Crossmark, a Plano, Texas-based sales and marketing company, and Product Connections, a Bentonville, Arkansas-based marketing services business, from Dallas-based WIS International, a global leader in inventory and retail services, was first announced in May.
“We are thrilled to welcome Crossmark and Product Connections to our industry-leading collective,” said Brian Wynne, president and CEO of Acosta Group. “This acquisition strengthens our talent and expands our solutions, further enhancing our ability to drive profitable growth for brands and retailers by connecting them with consumers wherever they shop.”
With the acquisition, Acosta Group grows to a team of more than 60,000 associates and more than 3,000 retail clients, it said. Crossmark and Product Connections will remain as separate agency brands within Acosta Group. Acosta Group’s other pillar agencies include Core Foodservice, Mosaic, Premium Retail Services and ActionLink.
The acquisition unites trusted agency brands and organizations, offering differentiated and innovative sales services, retail solutions and marking offerings to meet the needs of diverse brands and retailers, the company said. Enhanced benefits of a combined Acosta Group, Crossmark and Product Connections includes, according to the agencies:
- Amplified reach and solutions across channels, categories and geographies. With the addition of Crossmark, Acosta Group extends expertise and coverage in grocery, club, value, convenience, heath and beauty care and Canada.
- Elevated client service, catering to brands ranging from emerging to iconic.
- Access to one of the largest retail execution teams globally.
- Further cultivating a diverse and talented workforce.
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