Alliance Data's Epsilon to Acquire CPC Associates

Alliance Data Systems' Epsilon unit agreed to buy CPC Associates Inc., a provider of data products used to increase direct-response marketing effectiveness for about $70 million. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter.

Dallas-based ADS, which provides transaction, credit and marketing services, expects the acquisition will be slightly accretive to cash earnings per share and neutral to GAAP EPS in 2007, with accretion accelerating thereafter. CPC has annual double-digit organic growth with expected margins well exceeding ADS's current levels, ADS said. Employees of CPC will be integrated into Wakefield, MA-based Epsilon.

Founded in 1972 and based in Horsham, PA, CPC data products and marketing solutions are used by leading direct-response marketers like AARP and Lord & Taylor, as well as marketing services/data providers and franchises/small businesses. Epsilon itself is also a client.