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The Marek Group Acquires CPI Promotions

Wisconsin-based marketing firm The Marek Group has acquired distributor CPI Promotions, the companies have announced.

Wisconsin-based marketing firm The Marek Group has acquired distributor CPI Promotions, the companies have announced. Financial terms of the deal, made public this week, were not disclosed. Marek purchased CPI from Top 40 distributor Brown & Bigelow (asi/148500), which had acquired CPI in November of 2013.

“The addition of CPI to The Marek Group family of companies allows us to provide all of what our clients need to arm their sales and distribution partners for success,” said Tami Marek-Loper, president of The Marek Group. “We found an exceptional partner who brings substantial promotional products expertise to our company, along with a manufacturing and distribution platform that is entirely consistent with our business model.”

Per the agreement, Cary Caliendo, founder and president of CPI Promotions, will remain with the company serving as divisional president in the promotional products division. Founded in 2002, CPI has focused on acquiring large national accounts and has served clients like MillerCoors, Kohler and Dish Network. ”We are very happy to be joining The Marek Group as we see great synergy between the two companies,” Caliendo said. “Knowing we can provide our customers with turn-key solutions that are supported by real-time data analytics to operate more effective marketing programs is very exciting for us.”

According to Bill Smith, president of Brown & Bigelow, his firm evaluated CPI this summer and “determined that it was not a good strategic fit with B & B’s business model.” The Marek Group inquired about an acquisition and a deal was recently reached, Smith said.