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Montreal, September 4, 2008 – Transcontinental Inc.
today announced the acquisition of Rastar, Inc., a U.S.-based
direct marketing company that specializes in interactive database
marketing and variable data digital printing, which enable
fully personalized marketing communications. Rastar’s
industry experience, combined with its digital printing expertise,
will allow Transcontinental to further expand its integrated
marketing services offering and enable its clients to achieve
the best possible returns on their marketing campaigns.
A privately-owned company with approximately US$50M in revenue,
Rastar counts many Fortune 500 companies among its
clients in verticals such as the auto, consumer goods and
retail industries. Using proprietary database tools, Rastar
helps its clients plan, design and implement traditional and
variable data acquisition and retention programs. Its production
facilities, which include state-of-the-art digital printing
technology as well as other printing, mailing and fulfillment
capabilities, allow it to deliver a complete offering to its
clients.
“When you combine Rastar’s thought leadership
in interactive database marketing with Transcontinental’s
vision and scope, we are only just beginning to explore the
potential of the integrated marketing services we can now
offer our clients,” said François Olivier, President
and Chief Executive Officer, Transcontinental. “Building
on the acquisition of Rastar, we have a unique opportunity
to expand our variable data digital printing capabilities.”
Rastar’s approximately 350 employees will become part
of the Marketing Products and Services Sector at Transcontinental
under the responsibility of its President, Guy Manuel.
“Not only is Rastar a proven leader in data-driven
direct marketing, customer relationship management development,
and the delivery of personalized, targeted messaging to key
verticals, it’s also a leader in web-enabled self-published
consumer solutions like custom books and the growing online
imaging products business,” said Mr. Manuel. “The
possibilities for Transcontinental and our clients are exciting.
We are thrilled to welcome Rastar to our team.”
Rastar founder and Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Despain,
and President, Grant Fletcher, will maintain their leadership
roles.
“Rastar has built its solid position in direct marketing
because we challenge established thinking, and embrace new
marketing strategies,” said Kevin Despain. “With
Transcontinental’s scale, we have a unique opportunity
to deliver results to our clients on a wider scope. We look
forward to working with the Transcontinental team.”
About Transcontinental
The largest printer in Canada and sixth-largest
in North America, Transcontinental is also the country’s
leading publisher of consumer magazines and French-language
educational resources, and its second-largest community newspaper
publisher. Transcontinental distinguishes itself by creating
strategic partnerships that integrate the company into its
customers’ value chain, notably through its unique newspaper
printing outsourcing model and its value-added services. From
mass to highly personalized marketing, the Corporation offers
its clients integrated solutions which include a continent-leading
direct marketing offering, a diverse digital platform and
a door-to-door advertising material distribution network.
Transcontinental is a company whose values, including respect,
innovation and integrity, are central to its operation.
Transcontinental (TSX: TCL.A, TCL.B) has more than 15,000
employees in Canada, the United States and Mexico, and reported
revenues of C$2.3 billion in 2007.
About Rastar
Rastar is a database direct marketing company that
helps businesses gain insight into customer data and develop
strategies and tools that maximize customer value by using
data-driven dialogue solutions that generate measurable, repeatable
results. Rastar direct marketing solutions are typically long-term
programs that complement traditional marketing efforts.
Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, Rastar owns and operates
studio, print, mail and production facilities that fully support
each client program. Its approximately 350 employees deliver
direct marketing specialties, including market and data segmentation
and analytics; strategy and campaign development; customer
retention and relationship management; lead generation and
lead treatment; creative design; Web, e-communication and
technical program development; offset and digital printing;
large format output; point-of-sale advertising production
and delivery; and complete mail fulfillment.
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For information:
Media
Nessa Prendergast
Director, Media Relations
Transcontinental Inc.
Telephone: (514) 954 2809
nessa.prendergast@transcontinental.ca
Financial Community
Jennifer F. McCaughey
Director, Investor Relations
Transcontinental Inc.
Telephone: (514) 954 2821
jennifer.mccaughey@transcontinental.ca
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