London, August 25, 2006 - MidOcean is pleased to announce that its portfolio company, bezier, which is Europe’s largest in-store marketing company, successfully acquired Poulters, the Leeds-based integrated marketing agency. This move follows bezier’s rebrand (launched earlier this month) which set out an above-the-line agency approach to in-store advertising and a pledge to expand bezier‘s creative and consultancy services.
Mark Shaw, bezier’s Chief Executive, said “This acquisition will not only increase our own specialized in-store media creative services but also gives a new through-the-line dimension to our business. By combining our knowledge of in-store marketing with Poulters well reputed ability to create and drive marketing and brand strategy we hope to also give in-store a more strategic role in the marketing mix of our clients. This is an extremely exciting time for both bezier and Poulters.”
Gary McCall, Managing Director at Poulters, said “Poulters’ expertise in marketing strategy and brand communications together with our excellent creative reputation will further enhance bezier’s services amongst their blue chip brand and retail client base and the wider market place. In addition we are now able to add bezier’s in-store expertise to our integrated offering making our through-the-line positioning even more compelling to our existing client base and new business prospects.”
Graham Thomas, a Managing Director at MidOcean Partners said “We believe that point-of-sale marketing will continue to experience tremendous growth as branded companies and retailers focus on implementing marketing programs to reach customers where they make their purchase decisions. Bezier’s acquisition of Poulters is a significant step in our strategy to expand the breadth and impact of the services that bezier offers its customers.”
bezier is a $70 million privately owned in-store marketing company, backed by investors MidOcean Partners. bezier is looking to achieve its ambitious growth plans by broadening its market offering with turnover expected to rise to 200m by 2009.
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About bezier
bezier is Europe’s largest in-store marketing company and offers consultancy and design for (point of purchase) advertising and in-store marketing activity. The firm also has the largest POP focused production and logistics operation in Europe which is complimented by bezier’s tailor made e-solutions which enable in-store activity to be ordered and managed online. bezier is sole supplier to a broad portfolio of blue chip brand manufacturers and retailers including ASDA, Boots, Imperial Tabacco First Choice, Homebase, KFC and Superdrug.
About Poulters
Founded in 1969. Poulters is one of the UK‘s leading marketing agencies. Poulters work with client companies to develop and deliver innovative strategic and creative solutions as a means to achieve business growth. Poulters success is due to the fact it is a truly Integrated marketing agency who employ specialists across the whole marketing mix including advertising, direct and data marketing, sales promotion, design, interactive marketing and brand development.
About MidOcean Partners
MidOcean Partners is a premier New York-based alternative asset manager that specializes in middle market private equity and alternative credit investments. Since its inception in 2003, MidOcean Private Equity has managed over $4.5 billion of committed capital and has targeted investments in high-quality middle market companies in the consumer and business services sectors. MidOcean Credit Partners was launched in 2009 and manages approximately $8 billion across a series of alternative credit strategies, collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), and customized separately managed accounts as of November 30, 2018