Crossmark to Acquire Marketing Werks

PLANO, Texas -- Locally-based sales and marketing services firm Crossmark reached a definitive agreement to acquire Marketing Werks, an independent consumer-engagement company based in Chicago.

The transaction will add out-of-store, consumer-engagement expertise to Crossmark's marketing services division, and will add to Crossmark's total annual sales approaching nearly $1 billion. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Marketing Werks, founded in 1987, creates persuasive, personal, experiential marketing campaigns for such blue-chip clients as Verizon, Walgreens and Chase. The company serves many industries, including telecommunications, health care, consumer packaged goods, consumer electronics and entertainment. It will become part of Crossmark Marketing Services.

"This acquisition strengthens our position as the leader in field marketing," said Crossmark CEO Joe Crafton. "As consumers' behavior continues to evolve, brands are seeking better ways to influence them on their path to purchase. We are assembling the best consumer-engagement minds in the world."

Jim Rose, president of Crossmark Marketing Services, will be responsible for overseeing Marketing Werks. Scott Moller and Julie Guida, founders and co-CEOs of Marketing Werks, will remain on the leadership team along with the company's other senior leaders to run day-to-day operations.

The acquisition will have no impact on the daily operations of either company and is expected to close Aug. 31.