Norwalk’s Marketing Drive, one of the nation’s top brand developers that has helped Dunkin’ Donuts, Absolut vodka and others build and maintain their customer loyalty, has been bought by a Canadian firm that does the same for its clients.
Match Marketing Group, of Toronto, paid an undisclosed sum for Marketing Drive and its digital-marketing affiliate, Weld media, officials said.
Both agencies are owned by Chicago’s River North Group and specialize in retail, digital, shopper marketing and consumer promotion services.
Match said the purchase is part of a strategic move to build the most complete end-to-end shopper marketing group in North America.
Its suite of services include research and insights, campaign development, experiential and event marketing, direct selling and merchandising, and retail operations and management. It also accelerates the firm’s vision to grow its footprint in the U.S.
Match clients include Pepsi, Kraft, Adidas and Ford.
Marketing Drive President Michael Harris and Weld CEO Michael LeBeau will stay on with Match Executive Group. Vince Parrinello, CEO of River North Group and Kevin Berg, chairman, will join the board of Match Marketing.
Weld clients include CVS, Dannon and Nestle Waters.
