DALLAS, TX — September 18, 2008 — Alliance Data
Systems Corporation (NYSE: ADS), a leading provider of loyalty and
marketing solutions derived from transaction-rich data, today announced
that its Epsilon business has signed an agreement with New York-based
Beech-Nut Nutrition Corporation to provide integrated direct marketing
and permission-based email marketing services through its full-service
direct marketing agency Purple@Epsilon.
Headquartered in Latham, N.Y., Beech-Nut Nutrition Corporation, a subsidiary of Hero
Group of Lenzburg, Switzerland, has focused on infant nutrition since
1931. Beech-Nut, the number two baby food brand in the United States,
is a leader in baby nutrition and offers a variety of infant and
toddler foods. Hero Group’s sales in 2007 were more than $1.74 billion.
Under terms of the agreement, Epsilon a leading provider of
multi-channel, data-driven marketing technologies and services will
provide an integrated solution for managing Beech-Nut’s entire customer
communications stream. Among the services is the development and
execution of direct marketing programs, and the management of their
eNewsletter program which will expand later this fall to include
parents of toddlers. The eNewsletter is filled with education on
feeding and development, parenting tips and coupons to incent product
trials.
Epsilon’s integrated marketing solution includes developing and
executing direct mail campaigns that encourage parents to sign-up for
Beech-Nut’s e-newsletter, in addition to a monthly direct mail
campaign designed to build brand awareness, encourage eNewsletter sign
up, and incent product trials. Epsilon will also be building a
sophisticated customer segmentation model to support and enhance this
program.
“Beech-Nut has always been a company focused on innovation and putting
parents and babies first. Targeted, one-to-one programs like our
e-newsletter has become an ever-increasing, effective way to reach and
engage our customers,” said Sumindi Peiris, marketing director,
Beech-Nut Nutrition Corporation. “We chose Epsilon for their extensive
track record of engaging customers and building world-class brands.
Their expertise and ability to execute highly effective direct
marketing programs have helped us optimize our consumer marketing
efforts.”
“We are pleased to be working with Beech-Nut, a leader in the infant
food and nutrition market,” said Michael Iaccarino, president of
Epsilon. “With our vast experience in creating highly relevant,
tailored communications driven through both direct and email marketing
services, Epsilon is the ideal choice to enrich content and connect
with Beech-Nut’s consumer base.
About Beech-Nut
Since 1931, Beech-Nut Nutrition Corporation has been built on a history
of innovation and dedication to infant nutrition. Headquartered in
Latham, New York, Beech-Nut is the number two leading baby food brand
in the United States and is committed to deliver more nutritious
choices for parents and babies. As a subsidiary of Hero Group of
Lenzburg, Switzerland, a global leader in consumer goods and infant
feeding, Beech-Nut is able to combine resources to continuously improve
food and nutrition for infants.
About Epsilon
Epsilon is the industry’s leading marketing services firm. Ad Age ranks
Epsilon #1 U.S. Marketing Services Firm and #1 U.S. Direct Marketing
Agency. Services include strategic consulting, database and loyalty
technology, proprietary data, predictive modeling and a full range of
creative and interactive services including brand and promotional
development, web design, email deployment, search engine optimization
and direct mail production. In addition, Epsilon is the world's largest
permission-based email marketer. Epsilon is an Alliance Data company.
For more information, visit www.epsilon.com or call 1.800.309.0505.
About Alliance Data
Alliance Data (NYSE: ADS) is a leading provider of loyalty and
marketing solutions derived from transaction-rich data. The Company
manages more than 107 million consumer relationships for some of North
America's most recognizable companies. Through the creation and
deployment of customized solutions that change consumer behavior,
Alliance Data enables its clients to create and enhance customer
loyalty to build stronger, mutually beneficial relationships with their
customers. Headquartered in Dallas, Alliance Data employs approximately
7,000 associates at more than 50 locations worldwide. Alliance Data is
a leading provider of marketing-driven credit solutions, and is the
parent company of Epsilon®, a leading provider of multi-channel,
data-driven technologies and marketing services, and LoyaltyOne™, which
owns and operates the AIR MILES® Reward Program, Canada’s premier
coalition loyalty program. For more information about the company,
visit its web site, www.AllianceData.com.
Alliance Data's Safe Harbor Statement/Forward-Looking Statements
This release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning
of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section
21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements
may use words such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect,"
"intend," "predict," "project" and similar expressions as they relate
to us or our management. When we make forward-looking statements, we
are basing them on our management's beliefs and assumptions, using
information currently available to us. Although we believe that the
expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are
reasonable, these forward-looking statements are subject to risks,
uncertainties and assumptions, including those discussed in our filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or
if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may
vary materially from what we projected. Any forward-looking statements
contained in this presentation reflect our current views with respect
to future events and are subject to these and other risks,
uncertainties and assumptions relating to our operations, results of
operations, growth strategy and liquidity. These risks, uncertainties
and assumptions include those made with respect to and any developments
related to the termination of the proposed merger with an affiliate of
The Blackstone Group, including risks and uncertainties arising from
actions that the parties to the merger agreement may take in connection
therewith. We have no intention, and disclaim any obligation, to update
or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future results or otherwise.
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995: Statements in this presentation regarding Alliance Data
Systems Corporation's business which are not historical facts are
"forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For
a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual
results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking
statements, see "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year. Risk factors may be
updated in Item 1A in each of the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form
10-Q for each quarterly period subsequent to the Company's most recent
Form 10-K.