RELIZON TO ACQUIRE EPSILON
PRESS RELEASE
Addition of leading Marketing Solutions Provider enables firm to offer industry`s most comprehensive and robust suite of business communications services
DAYTON, Ohio, Aug. 22, 2001 --- The Relizon Company today announced that it intends to acquire leading marketing solutions provider (MSP) Epsilon in a move that will significantly enhance and expand its capabilities in customer relationship management (CRM). As part of The Relizon Company, Epsilon will maintain its strong brand identity and keep intact its management team. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Clients will benefit from the addition of Epsilon`s inherent strengths as a Marketing Solutions Provider - its rich marketing heritage and deep understanding of marketing technology - that are a perfect complement to the broad spectrum of Relizon`s total business communications offerings. To augment its comprehensive document, billing and marketing solutions, Relizon will merge its eCRM Group into Epsilon, thereby creating a new business unit with an expanded customer base, larger pool of talented resources and increased opportunities for growth.
"Epsilon`s experience and expertise in direct and database marketing - particularly data mining and data analytics - will allow us to offer customers a more robust and complete set of marketing solutions," said Rodney A. Hedeen, Relizon`s president and chief executive officer. "Joining forces with Epsilon is a major step forward in achieving our vision of being the leader in total business communications."
Corey V. Torrence, who will continue as president of the newly expanded Epsilon, said, "This agreement is a winner for clients of both firms. We share the same intense commitment to our customers, and now we`ll be able to offer them a full range of solutions for internal and external communications. This client-focused culture has driven the success of both companies and will provide a strong foundation for growth moving forward."
Torrence has more than 20 years of experience in strategic marketing and consulting, having served as president and CEO of Epsilon, president and CEO of Logica North America, and in senior posts within AT&T Solutions, SHL Systemhouse, Inc., McKinsey & Company and Andersen Consulting.
"The Epsilon acquisition is the perfect capstone to our first year of successful operation as an independent company," Hedeen added. "In the face of a slowing economy, Relizon and Epsilon have both been able to sustain and grow a profitable base of highly satisfied customers. When combined with Epsilon, our fiscal year will close with revenue approaching a billion dollars. The strong financial performance of both firms lays the foundation for sustained profitable growth."
Relizon was created in August 2000 when The Reynolds and Reynolds Company sold its Information Solutions Group to The Carlyle Group, one of the world`s largest private investment companies, with more than $13 billion in assets under management. Relizon posted annual revenues of more than $800 million in its most recent fiscal year, ended Sept. 30, 2000. The company`s new fiscal year ends Dec. 31.
Epsilon is a privately owned company that has recently achieved the strongest financial performance in its 30-year history. In 2000, Epsilon realized annual revenues of approximately $120 million and recently announced that earnings for the quarter ended June 30, 2001 increased nearly three-fold over the same period a year ago. Epsilon`s client base includes Celulares Telefonica, Citrix Systems, Hilton Hotels and National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
About Relizon
Relizon, based in Dayton, Ohio, is known for industry leading customer satisfaction in the delivery of total business communications to thousands of accounts across the U.S. and Canada. Its document, billing and marketing solutions enable clients in a variety of industries to communicate more efficiently and effectively within their own organizations and to their customers and prospects. Relizon has 4,600 employees, 22 manufacturing facilities and 33 business service centers strategically located across North America.
About Epsilon
Epsilon was founded in 1969 and today is owned by DMDA, Inc. The company has approximately 700 employees in Burlington, Mass.; Dallas, Texas; and Washington, D.C. Epsilon`s services include marketing strategy; database design and management; data mining; web site design and deployment; campaign management; and direct response and marketing communications production.
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For more information contact:
Karen Arnold,
Boston Communications
617-619-9804
karnold@bcww.com, or
Sharon Williamson
The Relizon Company
937-485-8304
sharon.williamson@relizon.com
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