Call_Solutions said yesterday that it has purchased Calabasas, CA, creative agency Patrick Marketing Group as part of its effort to transform from a teleservices provider to a turnkey direct marketing firm.
The value of the acquisition was not disclosed. Founded in 1982, Patrick Marketing has about 40 employees and specializes in business-to-business direct marketing with a focus on creative design and execution for lead-generation campaigns. In addition, Patrick Marketing sales specialists engage in appointment setting, writing sales proposals and track prospect activity.
Patrick Marketing clients include AT&T, Nortel Networks, Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, IBM and Unisys, along with automotive clients including General Motors, Porsche and Penske. Gary Patrick, president of Patrick Marketing, will retain his position, as will executive vice president Craig Shields.
Patrick Marketing is the 15th company acquired by Call_Solutions since entrepreneur George Dalton founded the Waukesha, WI, company in August 2000. In addition to inbound and outbound teleservices, Call_Solutions provides market research and analysis, direct marketing strategy, database management and direct mail design. Call_Solutions has annual revenue of about $70 million, according to the company.
