Solution Provider News: July 2015
Menasha Makes Another Canadian Acquisition
Menasha Corp., Neenah, Wisconsin, has acquired Portable Packaging Systems of Mississauga, Ontario, which will operate as part of Menasha Packaging Canada. Portable Packaging employs more than 100 full-time employees and an average of 300 temporary workers per day at its Mississauga facility and at three customer-dedicated distribution centers in the greater Toronto area and one in Montreal. Portable Packaging is the second Canadian acquisition for Menasha Corp. this year, following the January purchase of Brampton, Ontario-based PearceWellwood.
Merging Companies to Form WestRock
RockTenn, Norcross, Georgia, and MeadWestvaco Corp., Richmond, Virginia, have announced that WestRock Co. will be the official name for the new company when the two packaging giants complete their merger. WestRock will trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol WRK. The deal was announced back in January and the companies have received antitrust approval and are awaiting other regulatory and shareholder approvals.
Snipp Interactive to Acquire Hip Digital
Rewards platform Snipp Interactive, Washington, D.C., is acquiring Hip Digital Media, Menlo Park, California, another marketing platform that integrates digital content such as music, movies, apps and e-books into branded promotions. The merger means the two companies with complementary platforms no longer have to compete for CPG and retailer clients in the shopper marketing and promotions space. Snipp intends to operate Hip Digital as a wholly owned subsidiary while potentially running it as a separate brand. Baris Karadogan will continue as CEO of Hip Digital.
RTC Recognized for Innovation
Retail display solutions provider RTC was recently recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business as being among the five most innovative companies in the Chicago area. Landing at No. 4 on Crain’s Eureka Index, the Rolling Meadows, Illinois-based firm was awarded eight patents last year and earned a Patent Quality Score of 150.61, according to an algorithm that evaluates each invention’s uniqueness and projects their future uses and potential ROI. Any score above 150 is in the top 5% of U.S. patents, says Ocean Tomo, the Chicago-based merchant bank specializing in intellectual property that created the algorithm.
Mayer Creates Pool Water-Testing Station
Frank Mayer and Associates, Grafton, Wisconsin, has developed the “My Pool Care Assistant” in-store kiosk in partnership with Clorox Pool & Spa, Oakland, California. The testing station includes a tablet computer, customized software application and instruction guide. Placed in select Walmart stores, the counter display allows consumers to test their pool and spa water with the placement of a small amount on a testing strip. The testing strip is then analyzed by the kiosk to recommend a product match.
SOLUTION PROVIDERS
8th & Walton, Bentonville, Arkansas
Betsy Reithemeyer, formerly of Saatchi & Saatchi X, has left the agency to become senior vice president for the supplier training provider for customer teams working with Walmart and other retailers.
AICC, Alexandria, Virginia
The Association of Independent Corrugated Converters, The Independent Packaging Association, recently welcomed Carolyn Patterson to the team as program coordinator/meeting planner.
Carlson Group, Lombard, Illinois
The company has promoted Scott Davenport to the newly created position of director of sales and strategic partnerships.
Cellotape, Fremont, California
Tim Daly, previously of Thinaire, is now president of the custom printing company for the retail and packaging industries.
ChannelAdvisor, Morrisville, North Carolina
The board of directors has appointed David Spitz as CEO and director to succeed Scot Wingo, who has been appointed executive chairman.
Crossmark, Plano, Texas
The company has named Duncan Mac Naughton, Walmart’s former executive vice president and chief merchandising officer, to its board of directors.
DCI-Artform, Milwaukee
The retail activation company recently announced a number of new hires including Adam Richer, director of creative technology, consumer electronics; Mir Khan, new product development manager, image retail; Mark Showers, new product development manager, commercial zone; Kesha Medley, customer service and logistics associate, commercial zone; Dave Williams, senior production manager, transportation; Leanna Wright, graphic designer, transportation; and Jenny Lamb, project coordinator, consumer electronics.
Digimarc, Beaverton, Oregon
Richard King, former president and chief operating officer of Albertsons, has been elected to the company’s board of directors.
GPA, Chicago
Brian Patrick, who has been servicing the needs of strategic accounts across the eastern half of the U.S. since 2010, will now support GPA’s customers in Georgia and Florida, and Shaun Patrick, who has been supporting customers across the western half of the U.S., also since 2010, will now work with customers in Georgia, Eastern Tennessee and Nashville. Talmadge Pearson, who currently serves GPA’s customers in the markets of Virginia, North Carolina and Southern Florida, will now also support South Carolina and additional regions of Florida.
GPShopper, Chicago
The mobile retail company recently welcomed Bill Siwicki, formerly of Internet Retailer magazine, as vice president of mobile strategy and research.
Group 4, Avon, Connecticut
The product, packaging and merchandising design firm has named Deanna Wert its new director of research.
HackerAgency, Seattle
The digital agency has hired Jason Grollman as vice president of operations.
Hera Lighting, Norcross, Georgia
Mark Fazio has joined the company as a technical support engineer.
Inmar, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Curtis Greve has been promoted to vice president, remarketing and transportation, and Sharon Joyner-Payne joins the company as executive vice president, communications.
IN Marketing Services, Irvine, California
Allison O’Sullivan has joined the DPSG team as an account director.
The Integer Group, Denver
The agency has hired Chava Ziff as group account director to work out of the Denver office, and Curt Johnson as senior vice president, group director, who will be based in the Atlanta area.
IRI, Chicago
Joan M. Lewis has joined the company as a senior advisor.
KBA North America, Dallas
The company has appointed Alex Stepanian as its new regional sales director.
Match Marketing Group, Norwalk, Connecticut
Match has appointed Frank Wittenauer to the role of executive vice president, talent.
Scrum50, South Norwalk, Connecticut
The agency recently hired Jennifer Miller, formerly of Epsilon-Ryan, as its first executive creative director.
TPN, Chicago
The San Francisco office has promoted Molly Hop to vice president of emerging media and commerce from director of digital media and content distribution.
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