Universal Acquires Wilde

Universal, New England's largest independent graphic marketing communications provider, has completed the acquisition of the Wilde Solutions Group and Wilde Agency (collectively, "Wilde").

Wilde combines best of breed personalized direct marketing capabilities with behavioral science methodology to design and execute its client's marketing programs for attracting customers, building loyalty, improving retention and increasing lifetime value.

"The Wilde acquisition realizes our customer-centric vision of "Thought to Distribution" said Bill Fitzgerald, President & CEO of Universal. "By providing customers with dynamic tools, solutions and strategies to effectively engage with their target audience, we can reduce time to market, lower the total cost of ownership and improve their overall marketing return on investment."

With the addition of Wilde, Universal is now able to offer their customers additional direct marketing services including an award-winning direct and digital agency, advanced variable data print, proprietary delivery technologies, state-of-the-art mail services and comprehensive fulfillment operations. These services complement Universal's high quality commercial print and promotional products arm to provide a complete spectrum of direct response solutions to our customers.

"I am particularly pleased about how this partnership will present more opportunities and advantages to Wilde customers and employees" said Tom Wilde. "Significant investments in process, people and technology have been made to provide solutions that address customers' needs in today's competitive marketplace. The benefits of these investments will become even more apparent by joining forces with Universal to bring scale and seamless comprehensive marketing services to the marketplace."

Wilde will continue to operate as an autonomous business unit out of Holliston, MA with access to the resources and support of its parent company, Universal.

John Sisson, formerly Universal's Chief Technology Officer, will serve as President of Wilde, reporting to Bill Fitzgerald.