Edmond, OK – May 6, 2008 – Marketing Information Network™ (mIn™), leading provider of quality data card content and list research solutions, today announced it has joined forces with NextMark, Inc., a leading provider of direct marketing tools and resources. The combination is characterized as a merger among equals with the resulting organization consolidated under NextMark, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
As part of the merger, NextMark and mIn’s existing business will be consolidated under a newly formed strategic business unit (SBU) headquartered in Edmond, OK. This new SBU will retain the Marketing Information Network name, existing staff, and will be led by Scott Chilcutt, formerly president of mIn and now vice president in the new organization. The mIn SBU will be responsible for front office operations — sales, service, and support — for its suite of products and services for the mailing list industry, which are currently used by more than 400 clients.
“This move is good for our clients and for the industry at large”, commented Mr. Chilcutt. “It will blend mIn’s excellent service with NextMark’s advanced technology. Our clients will get more comprehensive solutions that enable them to prosper in today’s challenging business environment.”
NextMark’s corporate headquarters will remain in Hanover, NH, will be led by Joseph Pych, its president, and will be responsible for back office operations and new initiatives.
“This combination leverages the complementary strengths of each organization – resulting in better products, better service, and better value for all of our clients,” said Mr. Pych. “Integration of direct marketing research and operations has reached the tipping-point and having mIn on the same team will further accelerate the development of the next generation of marketing services.”
The merger has been well received by industry leaders.
“This combination makes a lot of sense,” says Donn Rappaport, CEO of American List Counsel & Chairman of the Direct Marketing Association. “We’ve been doing business with both firms for several years, and it’s great to see them working together for our benefit. I applaud their efforts.”
NextMark sees the merger as a stepping stone for future innovations.
“The fusion of mIn and NextMark data would be a huge step forward for list research – kind of like a merge-purge for data card content that eliminates redundancy and preserves the best of both worlds,” notes Chris DeMartine, Director of Business Development at NextMark. “The end result will be a top shelf data card database that is primed for integration with real-time service bureau functionality across the board. Solidifying the core list research database is a critical step in moving forward with development initiatives that will reduce costs and alleviate complexities related to customer acquisition.”
Financing for the transaction was provided by Citizens Bank, Venture Capital Fund of New England, Turtle Hill Investment Company (Litle Family), CEI Ventures, MerchantBanc Venture Partners, and NextMark’s shareholders. Legal counsel was provided by Sheehan, Phinney, Bass + Green, Goolsby, Proctor, Heefner, and Gibbs, TLG Law Group, Brown Rudnick, and Nixon Peabody. Financial advice was provided by Johnson & Company and M. P. Losapio & Co. Employment advice was provided by Genesis Consolidated Services.
About Marketing Information Network (mIn)
Marketing Information Network (mIn) began in October 1989 with an idea for an electronic Data Card System that was destined to create efficiencies for the mailing list industry. Since that time, the Data Card System has evolved to become a comprehensive resource for finding mailing list, e-mail list, insert and interactive media rates and information. Marketing Information Network (mIn) is based in Edmond, Oklahoma and on the web at www.minokc.com.