http://www.acostasales.com:80/MediaCenterRSS.aspx Media Center updates  http://WorkArea/linkit.aspx?LinkIdentifier=id&ItemID=10737419015&libID=10737419016AMG ranked among the top three agencies in The Hub Top 20 list, moving up five spots since its debut on the list in 2011.Application Administrator5/1/2012 00:00:00 AMhttp://hubmagazine.com/html/2012/hub_48/may_jun/237230548/top_20-2012/index.htmlConnecticut-based shopper marketing agency AMG was ranked No. 3 in this report by The Hub Magazine. This is its second consecutive year on the list.Application Administrator5/1/2012 00:00:00 AMhttp://WorkArea/linkit.aspx?LinkIdentifier=id&ItemID=10737419011&libID=10737419012Quality Sales & Marketing is a leading food service sales agency in the Carolinas, and will become part of Acosta’s growing food service business.Application Administrator4/27/2012 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.cpgmatters.com/ShopperMarketing0412.html An example of the value and power of collaboration between manufacturer and retailer, starting with a strong foundation of shopper insights.Application Administrator4/16/2012 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.retailleader.net/article-striking_a_balance-2671-part1.htmlRic Noreen of AMG Strategic advisors explains why retailers are rethinking centralized management and opting for hybrid models.Application Administrator4/13/2012 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.cmo.com/in-store/trends-behind-retail-spendBarb Ford describes why trade spending programs must be built on strong shopper insights that are relevant to the in-store experience.Application Administrator4/5/2012 00:00:00 AMhttp://WorkArea/linkit.aspx?LinkIdentifier=id&ItemID=10737418990&libID=10737418991Don McGeorge is the retired President & COO of The Kroger Co., the nation's largest traditional grocery retailer. Application Administrator4/4/2012 00:00:00 AMhttp://WorkArea/linkit.aspx?LinkIdentifier=id&ItemID=10737418974&libID=10737418975Acosta Marketing Group reveals the answers about how promotions by CPG companies and retailers infl uence shopper behavior.Application Administrator4/2/2012 00:00:00 AMhttp://marketing.markettools.com/2011-11-18_Retailer-Viewpoint_RS_Webinar.htmlHow a targeted market research study can capture the purchasing decisions across the entire consideration set of your market.Application Administrator4/1/2012 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.retailleader.net/top-story-retailers_team_up_with_cpgs_to_boost_sales_using_shopper_marketing-575.htmlBrands and retailers are working together to create retailer-specific strategies and maximize both marketing and trade budgets.Application Administrator3/20/2012 00:00:00 AMhttp://WorkArea/linkit.aspx?LinkIdentifier=id&ItemID=10737418960&libID=10737418961Venture Sales Group (VSG) is a leading food service sales agency serving the Northeastern U.S. and will become a stand-alone division of Acosta. Application Administrator3/15/2012 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.retailingtoday.com/article/transforming-cpg-and-retail-consulting-industryCPG companies and retailers need to be able to quickly confirm that their strategies are working and, if they are not, quickly regroup and adapt.Application Administrator3/12/2012 00:00:00 AMhttp://uploadedFiles/Content/Media_Center/Press_releases/AMGSA Releases Trade Spending Study_web.pdfView news release Download the study (free registration required)Download the infographic (please give credit to AMG Strategic Advisors)Application Administrator3/6/2012 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.acostasales.com:80MediaCenterDetail.aspx?ItemID=10737418949&folderid=123View the write-ups about AMG Strategic Advisors' Trend Behind The Spend in Supermarket News and Progressive Grocer. Application Administrator3/6/2012 00:00:00 AMhttp://consumergoods.edgl.com/web-events/Optimizing-the-Shopper-Marketing/Trade-Promotion-Intersection77944Webinar includes an AMG case study: How insights led to a best-in-class shopper marketing solution for Clorox (free registration required).Application Administrator2/24/2012 00:00:00 AMhttp://uploadedFiles/Content/Media_Center/Publications/Spirit_Winter_2012_web.pdfLearn about our 2011 Chairman’s Award winners, details about Believe in HeroesTM integrated multi-brand marketing campaign and more.Application Administrator2/7/2012 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.consultingmag.com/article/ART884061Griffin CEO Carrie Shea will lead AMG Strategic Advisors, which will have 48 consultants and 60+ FTEs, including industry experts and specialists. Application Administrator2/6/2012 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.acostasales.com:80MediaCenterDetail.aspx?ItemID=10737418850&folderid=122Acosta has completed the acquisition of certain assets of Griffin Strategic Advisors LLC (Griffin), a comprehensive strategy and operations management consulting firm specializing in helping organizations improve profitability and accelerate growth. Griffin provides consulting and other services to a wide range of business sectors across the U.S. Griffin will combine with Acosta’s Marketing Group (AMG) to form AMG Strategic Advisors, a new business unit to be led by Griffin’s co-founder and CEO Carrie Shea. Shea will report to Acosta Chief Marketing Officer Ramin Eivaz and will serve as President of AMG Strategic Advisors. Griffin will continue to use the Griffin Strategic Advisors name for non-CPG clients and industries. “We are pleased to announce that Griffin is joining forces with us,” said Robert Hill, Acosta President & CEO. “Griffin’s capabilities in growth strategy, brand positioning, shopper and marketing insights, and operational consulting nicely dovetails with AMG’s rich insight and data analysis capabilities. This acquisition will enable us to leverage and expand our consulting capabilities to better serve our clients.” Founded in 2008, Griffin’s business model focuses on providing effective, high-value consulting to a diversified client list including leading companies in the consumer products, retail, apparel/footwear, automotive, private equity and higher education industries. Griffin’s team is comprised of seasoned consultants from leading firms such as A.T. Kearney, Accenture, Huron and The Cambridge Group and former industry executives from Fortune 1000 companies. In March 2011, Griffin was recognized by Consulting Magazine as one of “seven consulting firms to watch in 2011 and beyond” as part of the publication’s annual “Seven Jewels” special issue.“Our strategic alignment with one of North America’s leading outsourced sales, marketing and service companies will allow us to better serve our clients by augmenting our growth strategy work with superior data, strong analytical and proprietary shopper and consumer insights,” said Carrie Shea. “We consider this acquisition a tremendous opportunity for both our clients and employees – as well as for Acosta’s clients.” About Griffin Strategic Advisors Griffin Strategic Advisors is a premier management consulting firm specializing in helping organizations improve profitability and accelerate growth. Its consultants are seasoned experts from leading strategy firms who continuously deliver tactical, actionable recommendations to clients. For more information visit griffinstrategicadvisors.com.Application Administrator2/2/2012 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20120202/NEWS07/120209930/kraft-suppliers-strike-acquisition-dealsCarrie Shea, Griffin co-founder and CEO, will become president of the new unit, which will provide a full suite of strategy offerings. Application Administrator2/2/2012 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.acostasales.com:80MediaCenterDetail.aspx?ItemID=10737418819&folderid=122Reece Alford has joined the company as General Counsel and Secretary. He will replace current General Counsel and Secretary Drew Prusiecki, who will retire on March 1, 2012 after nearly 12 years of service with Acosta. Alford brings more than 14 years of experience in transactional, corporate and contractual services to Acosta. In his new role, Alford will be responsible for all of Acosta’s legal and business affairs and will serve as a member of Acosta’s Executive Leadership Team, reporting to President & CEO Robert Hill.“We are confident Reece will be a tremendous asset to our team,” said Hill. “Reece is joining our company during an exciting period of growth and will serve as a trusted advisor as we continue to evolve and expand.” Alford joins Acosta from The St. Joe Company, a publicly held real estate development company formerly based in Jacksonville, where he served most recently as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. His responsibilities there included all corporate, transactional, securities, litigation and intellectual property matters. He also provided legal support to the company’s executive officers, board of directors and various business groups, including finance, accounting, human resources, information services, investor relations and operating units. Prior to that, Alford worked in private practice in Alabama where he performed corporate, transactional, securities, and contract matters for public and private company clients across a wide spectrum of industries. He earned his undergraduate degree at Auburn University and his Juris Doctorate from the Vanderbilt University School of Law.Alford will replace Drew Prusiecki, who during his 12-year career with Acosta, oversaw numerous acquisitions and transactions that helped the company grow into the leading North American sales and marketing agency it is today. Before joining Acosta in 2000, Prusiecki was a partner with Holland & Knight LLP. Prior, he was Senior Counsel with Barnett Banks, Inc. Prusiecki earned his undergraduate degree at Indiana University and his Juris Doctorate from the Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis.“Drew has been a steadfast advisor to all of us at Acosta and we will miss his trust, objectivity, humor, and most notably his infallible sense of right and wrong,” said Hill. “We wish him well in his retirement.”Application Administrator1/23/2012 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.producebusiness.com//e-books/PB12jan.pdfThis article describes the many services and advantages an outsourced sales and marketing agency provides.Application Administrator1/13/2012 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.acosta.com/Marketing_Solutions/MIR_Trade_Promo_Spending_Request_Form.aspxOne of the most robust reports on CPG trade promotion and merchandising spending, representing more than 235 CPG companies. Free registration required to download. Application Administrator12/21/2011 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.westerngrocer.com/upload/documents/WG%20NOV_DEC%202011.pdfThis article describes the many roles Acosta plays in helping food manufacturers get their products on supermarket shelves, then get them into shoppers' baskets.Application Administrator12/9/2011 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.privatelabelbuyer.com/Articles/Industry_News/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000001134452To download a copy of the report and to learn more about Acosta's analytics, insights and consulting capabilities, visit http://www.acosta.com/why. Application Administrator12/6/2011 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.acostasales.com:80MediaCenterDetail.aspx?ItemID=10737418567&folderid=122Acosta presented a check last night for $3.5 million to Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) as a result of its efforts in the second annual Believe in HeroesTM fundraising initiative. The announcement was officially made during the Believe in HeroesTM tribute dinner, which was hosted by Acosta at the Trump SoHo in New York City last night. The tribute dinner was emceed by Fox & Friends host Brian Kilmeade and attended by an impressive gathering of executives and representatives from the world's leading CPG brands, all of whom participated in this year's initiative. Additional speakers at the tribute dinner included former NFL head coach Jeff Fisher, wounded warrior Jeffrey Sinchak, U.S. Navy admiral Robert J. Natter, Wounded Warrior Project Executive Director Steven Nardizzi, as well as Acosta Sales & Marketing President & CEO Robert Hill and Executive Chairman Gary Chartrand. "We would like to sincerely thank all those who participated in this year’s nationwide Believe in Heroes™ fundraising initiative," said Acosta President & CEO Robert Hill. "As a result of the generosity and dedication displayed by all of our CPG and retail partners in working with us over the past several months, we have been able to make a significant difference in the lives of the hundreds of thousands of injured service men and women who have sacrificed so much for our country."Acosta conceived and launched Believe in HeroesTM in 2010 as a regional corporate social responsibility program, geared toward raising funds and driving awareness in support of WWP, which provides necessary financial and emotional support to wounded servicemen and servicewomen. The program began with a single regional retail partner and 13 national CPG brands, and has since evolved into  a national program, which this year included more than 65 retailers and 50 CPG brands.    Details for the 2012 Believe in HeroesTM fundraising initiative will be officially announced in the coming months. For more information on Believe in HeroesTM, please visit www.acosta.com/BIH. To follow the campaign on Twitter, use @AcostaSales or @WWPBelieve. View media kit and available photos  Application Administrator12/2/2011 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.acostasales.com:80MediaCenterDetail.aspx?ItemID=10737418496&folderid=122Acosta today announced the finalists for the company’s prestigious 2011 Chairman’s Awards. This year’s winners were recognized and honored by Acosta Executive Chairman Gary Chartrand at the company’s Annual Leadership Meeting on November 15, 2011. Nominations were based on an individual or team’s outstanding performance in support of one seven corporate values: Balance, Innovation, Integrity, People, Results, Teamwork, and Trust.  Company leadership evaluated more than 1,200 nominations from Acosta associates, clients and customers before selecting 100 winners. Those winners underwent a second evaluation process from Acosta’s North American Culture Committee, who selected seven finalists, from which Gary Chartrand named three Gold Circle and four Silver Circle winners. This year’s Gold and Silver winners are:Gold  Teamwork  Ayreann Luedders and 45-person teamBentonville, Arkansas Gold  Integrity Valarie Barbour Cincinnati, OhioGold Trust Michael Hankins and 10-person teamCincinnati, OhioSilver Innovation Jillian Henninger Brea, California Silver People Lauren Metcalf Tampa, Florida Silver Results Jason Henney Marlborough, MassachusettsSilver Balance Michael Mahoney and 11-person team Jacksonville, Florida Application Administrator11/16/2011 00:00:00 AMhttp://video.foxbusiness.com/v/1268708978001/how-you-can-help-our-wounded-warriors/?playlist_id=87061How Acosta assembled leading national brands to lead a multi-brand, cause-marketing campaign to benefit Wounded Warrior Project.Application Administrator11/10/2011 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/blog/retail_radar/2011/11/acosta-connecting-wounded-warriors.htmlDescribes Acosta's role in helping Wounded Warrior Project via the Believe in Heroes campaign.Application Administrator11/8/2011 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.acostasales.com:80MediaCenterDetail.aspx?ItemID=10737418481&folderid=122Acosta has announced the full roster of retailers participating in this year's Believe in HeroesTM fundraising initiative. This year's roster features more than 65 food and grocery retailers across United States. Among the confirmed retailers are Big Y, Food Lion, Harris Teeter, Market Basket, Nash Finch, Safeway, Wakefern, Weis, Winn-Dixie, and dozens of other leading regional and national retailers. Acosta conceived and launched Believe in HeroesTM in 2010 as a regional corporate social responsibility program, geared toward raising funds and driving awareness in support of Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), which provides necessary financial and emotional support to wounded servicemen and servicewomen. The program began with a single regional retail partner and 13 national CPG brands, and has since evolved into a national program, which now includes more than 65 retailers and 50 CPG brands.    This year's Believe in HeroesTM program officially launched last month, and has already generated an outpouring of support and funds from shoppers across the nation.  With Acosta leading the way, these retailers and CPG brands will continue to raise funds for WWP through a variety of promotional initiatives, including:Through headquarters agreements with these retailers, thousands of grocery stores throughout the country are promoting Believe in Heroes in their circulars and/or in their stores with special signing, point-of-purchase materials and contribution tear-pads at the check-out lane through November 11, 2011. More than 50 CPG brands represented by Acosta are participating in a free-standing insert (FSI) to be distributed via newspapers on November 6 to 50 million households nationwide. Some brands are also introducing limited-time packaging, hosting special events and raising funds for the cause in other ways. Acosta has developed an online storefront (available via www.woundedwarriorproject.org) to sell licensed Believe in Heroes merchandise. “We are extremely grateful for the level of support and activity that our retail partners have displayed in this year's Believe in HeroesTM initiative,” said Acosta President & CEO Robert Hill. “This program illustrates the collective power that can be reached when the nation's largest brands join together and work toward a common goal.  At Acosta, we are pleased to be in a unique position to leverage our reach, expertise and depth of coverage in the CPG industry to bring these retailers and brands together to make a difference in the lives of those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom.”This year's Believe in HeroesTM initiative will culminate on December 1, 2011, when Acosta will be hosting its second annual tribute dinner to celebrate the program’s success. Features of the event include a check presentation to WWP, and an impressive gathering of executives and representatives from the world's leading CPG brands. “We are extremely encouraged by the progress and contributions that have been made so far as a result of Acosta's efforts in rallying the CPG community,” said Wounded Warrior Project Executive Director Steve Nardizzi. “With Veterans Day quickly approaching, we encourage shoppers across the nation to continue supporting the brands and retailers that support Believe in HeroesTM.” For more information on Believe in HeroesTM and a full listing of participating CPG brands and retailers, please visit www.acosta.com/BIH. To follow the campaign on Twitter, use @AcostaSales, @WWPBelieve, and the hashtag #BIH. About Acosta Sales & Marketing With more than 80 years of experience, Acosta is the sales and marketing powerhouse behind more than a thousand of the biggest brands you see in stores every day. With approximately 20,000 associates in 65 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, Acosta represents a majority of the #1 and #2 brands in the CPG industry today. Acosta provides a range of outsourced sales, marketing and retail merchandising services to effectively move products off shelves and into shoppers’ baskets, ensuring that clients achieve their true sales potential. For more information, visit www.acosta.com.About Wounded Warrior Project The mission of Wounded Warrior Project™ (WWP) is to honor and empower wounded warriors. The purpose of WWP is to raise awareness and to enlist the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members; to help injured servicemen and women aid and assist each other; and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. WWP is a national, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. To get involved and learn more, visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org. ###Application Administrator11/7/2011 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=534821#Article features highlights of the Fall 2011 "The Why? Behind The Buy" which can be downloaded for free by completing a brief form.Application Administrator10/31/2011 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.acosta.com/Marketing_Solutions/The_Why_Behind_the_Buy_Download_Request_Form.aspxAcosta's twice annual shopper survey, analyzing how brands and retailers can adapt to changing shopper behavior. (Free registration required to access.)Application Administrator10/23/2011 00:00:00 AMhttp://uploadedFiles/Content/Media_Center/Publications/Spirit Fall 2011 Final 11-1-2011.pdfIn this issue: More CPG companies are outsourcing; The Why? Behind The Buy report summary; Acosta support after Japan earthquake and tsunami, more.Application Administrator10/21/2011 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.acostasales.com:80MediaCenterDetail.aspx?ItemID=10737418604&folderid=122Acosta has released the fall 2011 version of its semi-annual “The Why? Behind the Buy™” report with results from a nationwide survey that collects data on grocery shopper habits heading into the winter months.Shopper trends and key overall economic indicators in the current survey include:Shoppers are taking an extremely prepared and educated approach to the grocery trip, with 72% making a list for their routine shopping trip, 54% buying more items on sale, and 33% going online or using apps to save money.Traditional store circulars remain among the most popular promotional items for shoppers, with 85% reporting that store circulars influence them and nearly 50% saying they clip coupons from the circulars. While traditional sales tactics continue to be more widely used than digital offerings at the grocery counter, digital is increasing in influence, with 33% of shoppers going online to save money via online coupons, retailer and brand websites, and email subscriptions.Increasing gas prices are having a dual effect by driving higher food costs and leaving consumers with less money to spend on groceries. As a direct consequence, shoppers are buying less expensive brands or less food overall.“We routinely conduct research to gain insights into today's grocery shoppers and their habits and, in turn, we can provide our clients and retail partners with the most effective sales and marketing strategies,” said Robert Hill, Acosta Chairman & CEO. “The findings from our fall 'The Why? Behind the Buy™’ report indicate that with prices rising, shoppers are spending more per item, but buying less overall to stay within their budget. As prices continue to increase and shoppers are forced to spend more on groceries, their next challenge will be to identify even more options for staying within their household budgets.”Acosta conducts “The Why? Behind the Buy™” survey two times per year. The respondents are more than 1,000 everyday shoppers, randomly selected across all generational, economic and ethnic groups across the United States. The current survey was fielded in July 2011. To access the full report, visit www.Acosta.com and enter the keyword "Why" in the search box on the homepage.Application Administrator10/21/2011 00:00:00 AMhttp://supermarketnews.com/Nonfoods_Pharmacy_HBC/rx_to_otc_1003/Acosta played an important distribution role in placing Allegra products and collateral materials in the food channel. Application Administrator10/4/2011 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.acostasales.com:80MediaCenterDetail.aspx?ItemID=10737418430&folderid=122Acosta has signed a letter of intent to acquire the convenience store division of Sell-Thru Services, Inc. (STS) a sales and marketing  agency with expertise in the convenience channel headquartered in Austin, TX. This acquisition will provide Acosta with additional convenience channel expertise and knowledge as well as retail resources to enhance its reach and coverage.   STS is a national independently-owned and operated company serving convenience stores and small outlet formats since 1987.  Since its founding, STS has focused on offering retail services, headquarter sales representation, information products, and specialty services tailored to the unique characteristics of the small outlet channel.  Over the last 24 years, STS has developed a proven model for driving retail sales growth that includes the collaboration of retail sales professionals, calling on over 70,000 unique retail outlets and headquarter buying locations, and using proprietary information systems.  “We are excited to add STS’s powerful brands to our existing C-store client portfolio,” said Acosta President & CEO Robert Hill. “This acquisition enhances our C-store category leadership position in grocery, snacks, frozen foods, and beverages.” STS President and CEO Chris Lusher and the senior management team will join Acosta after the acquisition closes in November.Application Administrator9/30/2011 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.acostasales.com:80MediaCenterDetail.aspx?ItemID=10737418401&folderid=122Acosta and Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), a non-profit organization devoted to helping wounded veterans, today announced the annual Believe in Heroes™ fundraising initiative. This year’s program will raise funds on a national level with the help of more than 100 participating retailers and CPG companies throughout the country.Acosta conceived and launched Believe in Heroes last year as a corporate social responsibility program with a single regional retail partner and 13 national CPG brands. The initiative raised $200,000 for WWP and increased awareness for the program among consumers and CPG brands. Acosta has since expanded the program to a national one, and has gifted the Believe in Heroes moniker to WWP, thereby allowing the organization to add partners outside the CPG industry. This year’s Believe in Heroes fundraising initiative kicks off on 9/11 and will culminate on Veterans Day 2011.  Acosta’s efforts in support of Believe in Heroes will raise funds for WWP through a variety of promotional initiatives, both on its own and in conjunction with its clients and customers. More than 50 CPG brands represented by Acosta are participating in a free-standing insert (FSI) to be distributed via newspapers on November 6 to 50 million households nationwide. Some brands are also introducing limited-time packaging, hosting special events and raising funds for the cause in other ways. Through headquarters agreements with more than 50 retailers, thousands of grocery, drug and other stores throughout the country are promoting Believe in Heroes in their circulars and/or in their stores with special signing, point-of-purchase materials and contribution tear-pads at the check-out lane from 9/11 – 11/11. Acosta has developed an online storefront (available via www.woundedwarriorproject.org) to sell licensed Believe in Heroes merchandise. “We are eager to launch the 2011 Believe in Heroes initiative, and to show how Acosta can make a difference in the lives of our wounded veterans by leveraging our reach, expertise and depth of coverage in the CPG industry,” said Acosta President & CEO Robert Hill. “Millions of Americans have been touched in some way by the bravery and spirit of the men and women who fought for our nation. With that in mind, our goal is to build on last year’s successful campaign by raising the mission’s profile on a nationwide basis.”Over 44,000 of our nation's servicemen and women have been physically wounded during the current military conflicts, with hundreds of thousands more estimated to be recovering from invisible wounds of war, including post-traumatic stress disorder, major depression and traumatic brain injuries. WWP assists these wounded warriors and their families through a holistic approach to their recovery, providing programs and services to aid their physical rehabilitation and improve their mental health and well-being. Whether through caregiver retreats, combat stress programs, career and education services, or adaptive sporting opportunities, WWP empowers warriors with the tools essential to not just survive their injuries, but to thrive and achieve personal and professional success.“Wounded Warrior Project is appreciative of Acosta’s commitment to helping us meet the needs of our wounded service members and their families, many of whom urgently require our assistance,” said Wounded Warrior Project Executive Director Steve Nardizzi. “We look forward to sustaining an ongoing relationship with Acosta as we continue to honor and support those who sacrificed so much for their country.” Additionally, Acosta will be hosting its second annual gala to celebrate the Believe in Heroes campaign on December 1, 2011. Features of the gala include a check presentation to WWP, and an impressive gathering of executives and representatives from the world's leading CPG brands. To follow the campaign on Twitter, use @AcostaSales, @WWPBelieve, and the hashtag #BIH. More information can also be found on www.acosta.com/BIH. About Wounded Warrior Project The mission of Wounded Warrior Project™ (WWP) is to honor and empower wounded warriors. The purpose of WWP is to raise awareness and to enlist the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members; to help injured servicemen and women aid and assist each other; and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. WWP is a national, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. To get involved and learn more, visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org. About Acosta Sales & Marketing With more than 80 years of experience, Acosta is the sales and marketing powerhouse behind more than a thousand of the biggest brands you see in stores every day. With approximately 20,000 associates in 65 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, Acosta represents a majority of the #1 and #2 brands in the CPG industry today. Acosta provides a range of outsourced sales, marketing and retail merchandising services to effectively move products off shelves and into shoppers’ baskets, ensuring that clients achieve their true sales potential. For more information, visit www.acosta.com.Application Administrator9/7/2011 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2011/09/07/wounded-warriors-and-acosta-team-up.htmlProvides an overview of the Acosta-driven Believe in Heroes campaign, which assembles more than 50 brands and nearly 70 retailers to benefit Wounded Warrior Project and heighten awareness for veterans.Application Administrator9/7/2011 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=534194&searchtext=Acosta SalesThe Jacksonville Daily Record describes results from Acosta's The Why Behind The Buy research, which details insights about shopper behavior.Application Administrator8/8/2011 00:00:00 AMhttp://uploadedFiles/Content/Media_Center/Acosta_in_the_news/Barclays - US Food white paper.pdfThis Barclays white paper features Acosta in its discussion of the growing trend of CPG companies outsourcing their sales efforts to third parties.Application Administrator7/28/2011 00:00:00 AMhttp://uploadedFiles/Content/Media_Center/Publications/Spirit_Summer 2011_intranet2.pdfIn this issue: Acosta supports Wounded Warrior Project, The Why Behind The Buy, Kingsford Charcoal case study.Application Administrator7/22/2011 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.acostasales.com:80MediaCenterDetail.aspx?ItemID=10737418352&folderid=122The Power 50 honors the most influential executives and leaders in the supermarket industry. Hundreds of executives from all disciplines throughout the industry were considered and the top 50 were chosen through an exhaustive selection process by the Supermarket News editorial staff. Those on the list were identified as having enough influence to impact the industry beyond their immediate responsibilities and companies.Hill's inclusion on the list highlights an impressive track record since being appointed CEO of Acosta in early 2009.  For the past two years, Hill has solidified Acosta's presence as the gold standard for sales and marketing organizations in the CPG industry. In the past year alone, he’s overseen the growth of the company from 16,000 to approximately 20,000 associates in 65 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, and to more than $1 billion in revenue. “Being named to the Supermarket News Power 50list for the second year in a row is really a tribute to the Acosta team’s commitment to providing our clients with leading sales, integrated marketing, retail and business process solutions," said Hill. “We are humbly proud that over the past year our company has grown revenues, attracted top-tier talent, and added many of the world's most trusted CPG brands to our client portfolio, all in a challenging economic environment. Heading into the future, client growth and retention will remain top priorities as we build on our partnerships with existing clients, and look to expand our portfolio to include more of the world’s most trusted CPG brands.”Despite today’s difficult economic climate, Acosta remains the leading sales and marketing provider behind more than 1,000 CPG brands.  Acosta achieves results for its clients through quality data, better insights and faster execution. It has a long history of developing innovative, strategic programs to reach shoppers while increasing sales and strengthening clients’ brands at the retail level.Hill has been recognized as a community leader in Northeast Florida. He serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Baptist Health System and is on the Board of Directors of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of North Florida. Additionally, he is an active alumnus of Furman University and serves on the University’s Board of Trustees.Application Administrator7/18/2011 00:00:00 AMhttp://supermarketnews.com/profiles/2011_Power_50/Supermarket News has named Acosta CEO Robert Hill to its prestigious Power 50 List for the second consecutive year.Application Administrator7/18/2011 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=534024# Robert Hill describes why corporate culture is an organization’s most powerful force.Application Administrator7/14/2011 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.progressivegrocer.com/inprint/article/id1838/leading-ladies/Pam Boynton, VP Private Label Brands, was named by Progressive Grocer as one of its Top Women in Grocery.Application Administrator7/1/2011 00:00:00 AMhttp://supermarketnews.com/Grocery_Center_Store_Brands/spending_less_0613/index.htmlAcosta CMO Ramin Eivaz describes shopper behavior and Why Behind The Buy findings to Advertising Age. Application Administrator6/13/2011 00:00:00 AMhttp://adage.com/article/news/grocery-shoppers-spend-embrace-private-label/228107/Supermarket News gives an overview of findings from Acosta’s most recent The Why Behind The Buy report.Application Administrator6/10/2011 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.floridatrend.com/article.asp?aID=55076&parentID=55073Florida Trend named Acosta No. 20 in its 2011 list of Top Private Companies in FloridaApplication Administrator6/1/2011 00:00:00 AMhttp://uploadedFiles/Content/Media_Center/Publications/Final BRO Medium.pdfAcosta's twice annual shopper survey, analyzing how brands and retailers can adapt to changing shopper behavior. In this edition: Shoppers continue to spend less, supercenters are grabbing more shoppers, younger generations represent the new critical mass.Application Administrator6/1/2011 00:00:00 AMhttp://uploadedFiles/Content/Media_Center/Publications/Spirit_Spring 2011_web (2).pdfIn this issue: How Acosta's proprietary software helps keep shelves stocked, how Acosta's new Retail College will increase our competitive edge, and Acosta.com's recent makeover.Application Administrator5/31/2011 00:00:00 AMhttp://video.foxbusiness.com/#/v/961844838001/economy-impacting-consumer-grocery-shopping-habits/?playlist_id=87185Acosta President & CEO Robert Hill describes how shoppers are changing their habits when it comes to food shopping. Application Administrator5/26/2011 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.flgov.com/2011/05/16/governor-rick-scott-appoints-gary-chartrand-to-state-board-of-education/Governor Rick Scott appointed Acosta Executive Chairman Gary Chartrand to the Florida Board of Education on Monday, May 16. Chartrand's term will run through 2014.Application Administrator5/17/2011 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.acostasales.com:80MediaCenterDetail.aspx?ItemID=10737418345&folderid=122Chief Human Resources Officer Rebecca Steele was named by the Jacksonville Business Journal as one of ”Northeast Florida’s Ultimate HR Executives.” The awards selection was based on nominations submitted by readers of the Jacksonville Business Journal. Steele was one of 12 professionals selected for this honor.”We are proud to see Rebecca’s accomplishments recognized by a leading business publication,” said Robert Hill, President & CEO of Acosta. “In two years, she has implemented world-class programs and processes that have helped give Acosta an increased competitive advantage. Her efforts have also resulted in positive impacts on our clients and retailers, and more than 18,000 Acosta associates.”Steele joined Acosta in March 2009 and oversees the recruitment, benefits, compensation, HR systems and payroll, as well as the training and leadership development functions at Acosta. She has been integral in the growth and improvement of two primary areas: recruitment of top talent and strategic client partnerships. First, these new programs enable Acosta to compete as an employer of choice for top talent in all disciplines. Second, Acosta represents the leading CPG brands in the U.S. and Canada, and these clients place a premium on a strategic HR function with their business partners. Under Steele’s leadership, Acosta has been able to strengthen existing client relationships, as well as attract major new clients and top talent in the sales and marketing industry.Steele has more than 25 years of HR experience, beginning with the Marriott Corporation in Washington, DC, where she provided human resources support for the food service management division and corporate acquisitions. Her experience also includes human resource management positions with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, A. Foster Higgins consulting firm in California, and First Hospital Corporation.Application Administrator5/16/2011 00:00:00 AMhttp://uploadedFiles/Content/Media_Center/Acosta_in_the_news/The Hub PaulPrice_MarApr2011.pdfA round table discussion on the future of retail featuring Acosta Sales and Marketing executive vice president of marketing services Paul Price.Application Administrator4/1/2011 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.flgov.com/2011/03/23/governor-scott-appoints-three-to-the-board-of-trustees-florida-am-university/Florida Governor Rick Scott appointed three new members to the Florida A&M University Board of Trustees, including Kelvin Lawson, Acosta national client services director.Application Administrator3/23/2011 00:00:00 AMhttp://uploadedFiles/Content/Media_Center/Acosta_in_the_news/SIFECareerConnections- Robert Hill.pdfFor Robert Hill leading Acosta hardly seems like work because the industry has been his lifelong passion.Application Administrator3/1/2011 00:00:00 AMhttp://uploadedFiles/Content/Media_Center/Acosta_in_the_news/904theMagazine - Gary Chartrand.pdfWould you buy groceries from Gary Chartrand? In a way, you’ve been doing just that for years without knowing it.Application Administrator2/15/2011 00:00:00 AMhttp://uploadedFiles/Content/Media_Center/Publications/Spirit Magazine - Winter 2011.pdfThis issue of Spirit Magazine celebrates our 2010 Chairman’s Award Winners, who represent exceptional examples of associates living Acosta’s core values. The publication also discusses Acosta’s integrated marketing and analytical services as well as the important role the planogram plays in the path to purchase.Application Administrator2/1/2011 00:00:00 AMhttp://uploadedFiles/Content/Media_Center/Acosta_in_the_news/The Hub Al Wittemen_Feb2011.pdfAcosta Sales and Marketing executive vice president of integrated marketing Al Wittemen examines innovation in shopper marketing.Application Administrator2/1/2011 00:00:00 AMhttp://uploadedFiles/Content/Media_Center/Acosta_in_the_news/Florida Times Union.pdfIt’s one of Jacksonville’s largest companies with $1 billion in annual sales and a payroll of about 17,000 people in the US and Canada.Application Administrator1/23/2011 00:00:00 AMhttp://uploadedFiles/Content/Media_Center/Acosta_in_the_news/Shopper Marketing - MarkScott.pdfThe VP of Shopper Marketing for Kimberly-Clark discusses how shopper marketing is evolving at K-C and beyond.Application Administrator1/15/2011 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.acostasales.com:80MediaCenterDetail.aspx?ItemID=436&folderid=122Jacksonville, Fla., -– Acosta announced the appointment of three marketing industry leaders: Soche Picard as Senior Vice President of Shopper Marketing & Client Services, Lauren de Simone as Senior Vice President, Strategic Insights and Business Growth, and Mark Scott as Executive Vice President of Marketing Operations.Picard will be tasked with developing innovative marketing strategies to reach shoppers, as well as identifying strategic marketing opportunities with clients and leading them to implement programs that achieve breakthrough results.Picard joins Acosta with more than 15 years of extensive marketing experience in key areas, including strategic planning, brand launch and development, advertising, promotions, consumer marketing, idea generation, sports marketing, and client services. She last worked with COLANGELO as Managing Director and Head of Shopper Marketing. In her career she has developed marketing programs for leading brands such as Pepsi, MasterCard, Hershey’s, and SONY PlayStation. Other accomplishments include launching the iconic, award-winning “Priceless” campaign for MasterCard International and leading the first-ever fully-integrated marketing campaign for Coca-Cola while also activating its sponsorship of the 2002 Winter Olympics.de Simone will lead Acosta’s consumer lab to develop consumer-in shopper marketing concepts, branded solutions and strategic service products for new business development and growth.de Simone brings to Acosta 20-plus years of marketing and management experience with companies including Levi’s, Coca-Cola, Philip Morris, Revlon, and Nabisco. She has a proven track record in the beverage, CPG and apparel industries and has led integrated marketing campaigns from the wholesale, retail and agency sides of business. Most recently, she was the Managing Partner at The Rockford Group, a marketing agency specializing in cross-platform marketing innovation for brands/companies such as Levi’s, NBC, Macy’s, and Medco, in partnership with leading specialty agencies such as Sourcebits Technologies and Giant Step Music Marketing.Scott's primary task will be to bring all marketing functions into one integrated, world-class marketing service offering. Additionally, he will lead the growth and enhancement of Acosta’s brand management service, whereby CPG companies can outsource their brand management function to Acosta for greater capability and cost savings.Scott joins Acosta with more than 25 years of diverse experience in general management, marketing, sales, and finance including over 20 years at Kimberly-Clark Corporation (K-C) where he worked on some of the most well-known family care and personal care brands in North America including HUGGIES®, KLEENEX®, SCOTT®, PULL-UPS®, and DEPEND®. Most recently, Scott articulated a vision that K-C must build a best-in-class shopper marketing capability and led a team that advanced K-C to the #4 rank in The Hub magazine’s 2010 Top 12 for Shopper Marketing Excellence. Scott was named to the “Who’s Who in Shopper Marketing” list by Shopper Marketing magazine in 2009 and 2010.“We are pleased to welcome Soche Picard, Lauren de Simone and Mark Scott to our marketing division," said Acosta Chief Marketing Officer Ramin Eivaz. "The addition of these three industry leaders demonstrates Acosta's commitment to providing clients with the level of hands-on strategy, insights and customer service that has helped us become the most trusted source of sales and marketing services for leading CPG brands today."About Acosta Sales and MarketingAcosta is the sales and marketing powerhouse behind thousands of the biggest brands you see every day, with a client roster that includes 66 percent of #1 and #2 brands sold in most grocery stores. With more than 80 years of experience, Acosta provides a range of outsourced sales, marketing and retail merchandising services to effectively move products off shelves and into shoppers’ baskets, ensuring clients are achieving their true sales potential. Acosta is based in Jacksonville, Fla., with 17,000 associates in 65 offices throughout the United States and Canada. For more information, visit www.acosta.com.Application Administrator1/11/2011 00:00:00 AMhttp://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/acosta-cmo-ramin-eivaz-talks-shopper-marketing/148088/Advertising Age – Acosta CMO Ramin Eivaz Talks Shopper MarketingApplication Administrator1/11/2011 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.acostasales.com:80MediaCenterDetail.aspx?ItemID=437&folderid=122Jacksonville, Fla., -– Acosta today announced it has signed a definitive agreement for an equity investment by Thomas H. Lee Partners (“THL”), a Boston-based private equity investment firm.The transaction will fuel the continued expansion of Acosta's service offerings into new strategic areas, as well as enhance the existing suite of services that have made Acosta the most trusted outsourced provider of sales and marketing services for leading CPG brands today.“We are pleased to announce the completion of our equity investment agreement with Thomas H. Lee Partners, which has a long-established track record of successful partnerships with large growth-oriented companies such as Acosta," said Robert Hill, President & CEO of Acosta. "Together we share the same drive and commitment to expanding Acosta's reach and continuing to optimize our service offering for our clients and customers.”“As a market leader that delivers sales and marketing services to the CPG industry, Acosta presents an ideal investment opportunity,” said Kent Weldon, Managing Director at THL. “We have great confidence in the Acosta management team and look forward to partnering with them to continue to build the company and provide exceptional service to its clients and customers.”With this transaction AEA Investors will be selling its ownership stake in Acosta and THL will become Acosta’s new financial partner. Since Acosta first announced its partnership with AEA in 2006, the company has grown to more than 17,000 associates in 65 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada. Acosta currently represents 66 percent of the #1 and #2 brands in the CPG industry today.Following the transaction, senior management will stay in place, and there will be no changes to Acosta’s operations. As in the past, Acosta’s broad management team continues to have significant ownership of the company. The transaction is expected to close in the next 60 days, and the terms of the transaction were not disclosed. BofA Merrill Lynch acted as financial advisor, and Fried Frank Harris Shriver and Jacobson acted as legal counsel to Acosta in connection with this transaction. Barclays Capital (“Barclays”) and Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“Goldman Sachs”) acted as financial advisors and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP acted as legal advisor to THL in connection with the transaction. Committed debt financing for the transaction has been provided by certain affiliates of Goldman Sachs, including its principal mezzanine and loan funds, and Barclays. Affiliates of Goldman Sachs also committed to make an equity investment in Acosta.About Acosta Sales and MarketingWith more than 80 years of experience, Acosta is the sales and marketing powerhouse behind more than a thousand of the biggest brands you see in stores every day. With more than 17,000 associates in 65 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, Acosta represents 66 percent of the #1 and #2 brands in the CPG industry today. Acosta provides a range of outsourced sales, marketing and retail merchandising services to effectively move products off shelves and into shoppers’ baskets, ensuring that clients achieve their true sales potential. For more information, visit www.acosta.com.About Thomas H. Lee PartnersThomas H. Lee Partners ("THL") is one of the world's oldest and most experienced private equity firms. The firm invests in growth-oriented global businesses, headquartered principally in North America, within three broad sectors: Consumer & Healthcare, Media & Information Services and Business & Financial Services. THL's team of investment and operating professionals partner with its portfolio company management teams to identify and implement business model improvements that accelerate sustainable revenue and profit growth. Since its founding in 1974, THL has invested in more than 100 portfolio companies and has completed over 200 add-on acquisitions, representing a combined value of more than $150 billion. THL's two most recent investment funds comprise more than $14 billion of aggregate committed equity capital. Notable transactions sponsored by THL include Aramark, Clear Channel, Dunkin' Brands, Michael Foods, Ceridian, Experian, Fidelity National Information Services, Houghton Mifflin, inVentiv Health, Intermedix Corporation, MoneyGram International, The Nielsen Company, ProSiebenSat.1, Snapple, Warner Chilcott, Warner Music Group and West Corporation. For more information, please visit www.thl.com.Application Administrator1/5/2011 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.acostasales.com:80MediaCenterDetail.aspx?ItemID=438&folderid=122Jacksonville, FL & New York –- Gary Chartrand, executive chairman and former CEO of Acosta, Inc., a sales and marketing agency that services the $700 billion supermarket industry, has just authored a book titled Unreasonable Leadership. The book charts the vast consolidation of the food brokerage industry from 2,500 firms to three national players and how the philosophy of Unreasonable Leadership helped transform Acosta from a Jacksonville-based enterprise employing a dozen people to an international sales and marketing juggernaut employing a staff of more than 17,000 in the U.S. and Canada. In a 12-year span, company sales grew from $3 billion to $60 billion. With a frank acknowledgment of the many challenges Acosta’s management team confronted, the book describes the process of molding Acosta’s numerous acquisitions into a single business entity with a common culture that now sits atop its industry.“I have written Unreasonable Leadership to express my belief in what is possible in America and to capture and share an entrepreneurial success story that exemplifies what our free enterprise system enables one to attain. The book is meant to show how an established company like Acosta can undergo progressive transformation and flourish – provided that its leaders temper their risk-averse tendencies with selective yet bold out-of-the-box thinking,” says Chartrand.The Unreasonable Leadership philosophy is based on a quote by playwright George Bernard Shaw that says, “All progress comes from unreasonable people.” Chartrand defines UnreasonableLeadership as having the courage and conviction to change the status quo to achieve unprecedented, groundbreaking results.Books are available for purchase ($20 hardcover; $12 softcover) via the website, www.unreasonableleaders.com. A preview of the book, an Unreasonable Leadership Assessment and Unreasonable Blog are also available online. All proceeds from book sales will be donated to the Chartrand Foundation, a private family foundation that focuses on public education reform.Application Administrator12/15/2010 00:00:00 AMhttp://uploadedFiles/Content/Media_Center/Publications/Acosta - Why Behind The Buy FINAL.pdfHighlights from a Summer 2010 survey include information regarding the role of the recession in buying behavior, the decline in spending on groceries across all generations, and how social media impacts shopper decisions.Application Administrator11/14/2010 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.acostasales.com:80MediaCenterDetail.aspx?ItemID=439&folderid=122Jacksonville, FL & New York -- Acosta announced plans to launch a new, national awareness and fundraising initiative for Wounded Warrior Project (WWP).  The announcement was officially made during the Wounded Warrior Project Gala, which was hosted by Acosta at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City on Wednesday, October 27th. The Gala, which was emceed by veteran actor Matthew Modine, was geared to raise national awareness for the mission of WWP, which provides much needed assistance to injured service members of the United States armed forces. The new national awareness and fundraising initiative will serve as an extension of Acosta and WWP's highly successful "Believe in Heroes" charitable program. The new promotion  will be launched on Veteran's Day 2011 – which happens to fall exactly on 11/11/11 – and will include hundreds of participating retailers and CPG companies throughout the country.  The "11/11/11" initiative will be designed to raise a new level of national awareness and funds for the WWP, and will include a variety of caused-based promotional initiatives, including the distribution of 50 million free standing inserts (FSI) in leading CPG retail locations throughout the country, among other cause-based promotions. In attendance at the Gala were several executives and representatives from the world's leading CPG brands; many of which will be participating in the upcoming Acosta "11/11/11" initiative. The event also featured a cocktail and hors d'oeuvres hour, dinner reception, and guest speeches from industry leaders and WWP supporters, alike. Included among the list of guest speakers at the event were:•Gary Chartrand, Executive Chairman, Acosta Sales and Marketing•Tom Coughlin, Head Coach, New York Giants•Dan Nevins, Vice President of Events, Wounded Warrior ProjectAcosta's "Believe in Heroes" program has been a national success since its launch, resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations to WWP, and raising a national level of awareness for the program among consumers, CPG brands and retailers, alike. The program originally launched this past June in Winn-Dixie stores throughout Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Participating brands included Bush's Best Beans, Heinz, Sargento Cheese, McCormick, Kingsford, Hidden Valley Ranch, Glad, Sunny D, Vlasic, KC Masterpiece, Dean's Dips, and Welch's Juices.   "We have been encouraged by the remarkable amount of funds and awareness we were able to raise for the Wounded Warrior Project as part of our 'Believe in Heroes' program with partnering retailers and CPG in 2010," said Acosta President & CEO Robert Hill. "We believe in the mission of the Wounded Warrior Project, and we look forward to providing a new level of support and promotional assistance to the organization as we head into 2011 and beyond."Over 39,000 of our nation's service men and women have been physically wounded during the current military conflicts, with hundreds of thousands more estimated to be recovering from invisible wounds of war, including post traumatic stress disorder, major depression and brain injuries. WWP assists wounded warriors and their families through a holistic approach to their recovery, providing programs and services to aid their physical rehabilitation and improving their mental health and well-being. Whether through caregiver retreats, combat stress programs, career and education services, or adaptive sporting opportunities, WWP empowers warriors with the tools essential to not just survive their injuries, but to thrive and achieve personal and professional success."We express great gratitude toward Acosta for having partnered with Wounded Warrior Project, and for its commitment to helping us raise funds for wounded service members who are so desperately in need of assistance," said Wounded Warrior Project Executive Director Steve Nardizzi. "We enjoyed sharing this night with Acosta, its CPG clients, and the hundreds of special guests in attendance, as we raised further awareness for our mission and announced plans to kick-off what we know will be another successful national fundraising initiative." About Wounded Warrior ProjectThe mission of the Wounded Warrior Project is to honor and empower wounded warriors.  Its purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members, to help injured men and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. WWP is a national, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla. To get involved and learn more, visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.About Acosta Sales and MarketingWith more than 80 years of experience, Acosta is the sales and marketing powerhouse behind more than a thousand of the biggest brands you see in stores every day. With more than 16,000 associates in 65 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, Acosta represents 66 percent of the #1 and #2 brands in the CPG industry today. Acosta provides a range of outsourced sales, marketing and retail merchandising services to effectively move products off shelves and into shoppers’ baskets, ensuring that clients achieve their true sales potential. For more information, visit www.acosta.com.Application Administrator11/1/2010 00:00:00 AMhttp://acostadev/uploadedFiles/Content/Media_Center/Publications/Spirit Magazine - Fall 2010.pdfAcosta’s best-in-class Catalyst category management tool is one of the subjects covered in the Fall 2010 Spirit Magazine. This issue also discusses our growing shopper marketing services as well as our professional development program, Acosta University, and Acosta’s contributions during our 25th year as a national sponsor of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.Application Administrator11/1/2010 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.acostasales.com:80MediaCenterDetail.aspx?ItemID=440&folderid=122Jacksonville, Fla., -– Acosta today announced it will present $100,000 to the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) on Wednesday, October 6, at the WWP headquarters in Jacksonville, Fla.The donation is the result of Acosta’s nationwide “Believe in Heroes” program launched in June in Winn-Dixie stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Participating brands included Bush's Best Beans, Heinz, Sargento Cheese, McCormick, Kingsford, Hidden Valley Ranch, Glad, Sunny D, Vlasic, KC Masterpiece, Dean's Dips, and Welch's Juices.The "Believe in Heroes" program successfully brought together retailers, leading CPG companies and shoppers to raise awareness and funds for the WWP. Among the promotional strategies included in the campaign were scannable $1 donation tear-pads at each Winn-Dixie register, WWP ribbons worn by Winn-Dixie Associates, posters, weekly ads, online promotions, and shelf displays in Winn-Dixie stores from a dozen leading CPG brands."At Acosta we believe in the mission and vision of the Wounded Warrior Project, working for the greater good of our country's injured service men and women who are in desperate need of support services," said Acosta President and CEO Robert Hill. "Working together with the Wounded Warrior Project as well as Winn-Dixie and several of our CPG clients in the "Believe in Heroes" campaign, we were able to drive a new level of national awareness for the organization, as well as secure critical funds to support thousands of wounded warriors in our nation."Over 39,000 of our nation's service men and women have been physically wounded during the current military conflicts, with hundreds of thousands more estimated to be recovering from invisible wounds of war, including post traumatic stress disorder, major depression and brain injuries. WWP assists wounded warriors and their families through a holistic approach to their recovery, providing programs and services to aid their physical rehabilitation and improving their mental health and well-being. Whether through caregiver retreats, combat stress programs, career and education services, or adaptive sporting opportunities, WWP empowers warriors with the tools essential to not just survive their injuries, but to thrive and achieve personal and professional success."We are very grateful to have partnered with Acosta and its CPG clients over the past several months, and the results are a true testament to the commitment made by all parties to go above and beyond to support our nation's injured veterans and their families," said Wounded Warrior Project Executive Director Steve Nardizzi. "We look forward to our continued collaboration with Acosta as we seek to drive new awareness and relief funds for the project."About Wounded Warrior ProjectThe mission of the Wounded Warrior Project is to honor and empower wounded warriors. Its purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members, to help injured men and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. WWP is a national, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, FL. To get involved and learn more, visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.About Acosta Sales and MarketingWith more than 80 years of experience, Acosta is the sales and marketing powerhouse behind more than a thousand of the biggest brands you see in stores every day. With more than 16,000 associates in 65 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, Acosta represents 66 percent of the #1 and #2 brands in the CPG industry today. Acosta provides a range of outsourced sales, marketing and retail merchandising services to effectively move products off shelves and into shoppers’ baskets, ensuring that clients achieve their true sales potential. For more information, visit www.acosta.com.About Winn-DixieWinn-Dixie Stores, Inc., is one of the nation’s largest food retailers. Founded in 1925, the Company is headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla. The Company currently operates nearly 485 retail grocery locations, including more than 379 in-store pharmacies, in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia and Mississippi. For more information, please visit www.winn-dixie.com.Application Administrator10/5/2010 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.acostasales.com:80MediaCenterDetail.aspx?ItemID=441&folderid=122Jacksonville, Fla., -– Acosta today announced that President/CEO Robert E. Hill, Jr. has been named to the Supermarket News Power 50 list. The Power 50 honors the most influential executives and leaders in the supermarket industry. Hundreds of executives from all disciplines throughout the industry were considered and the top 50 were chosen through an exhaustive selection process by the Supermarket News editorial staff. Those on the list were identified as having enough influence to impact the industry beyond their immediate responsibilities and companies. Hill's inclusion on the list highlights a highly impressive year in which he took over the reigns as CEO of Acosta. After assuming the role of CEO in early 2009, Hill has been responsible for solidifying Acosta's presence as the gold standard for sales and marketing organizations in the CPG industry. Under his guidance, Acosta has grown into a billion dollar organization using a strategy focused on service expansion and growth. As a result of its strategic direction and targeted acquisitions, Acosta has become the leading provider of integrated sales and marketing solutions in the industry. “Being named to the Supermarket News Power 50 list is a true honor," said Hill. “This recognition can be attributed to the superior team of visionaries that I am surrounded by each day who strive to provide our clients with leading sales, integrated marketing, retail, and business process solutions.” Acosta’s reach, services and position in the marketplace make it unique. Acosta achieves results for its clients through quality data, better insights and faster execution. It has a long history of developing innovative, strategic programs to reach shoppers while increasing sales and strengthening clients’ brands at the retail level.Beyond his achievements growing Acosta into the leading full-service sales and marketing agency for CPG brands, Hill has been recognized as a community leader in Northeast Florida. He serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Baptist Health System and is Chairman of the Board of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of North Florida. Additionally, he is an active alumnus of Furman University and serves on the University’s Board of Trustees. About Acosta Sales and MarketingWith more than 80 years of experience, Acosta is the sales and marketing powerhouse behind more than a thousand of the biggest brands you see in stores every day. With more than 16,000 associates in 65 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, Acosta represents 66 percent of the #1 and #2 brands in the CPG industry today. Acosta provides a range of outsourced sales, marketing and retail merchandising services to effectively move products off shelves and into shoppers’ baskets, ensuring that clients achieve their true sales potential. For more information, visit www.acosta.com.Application Administrator7/20/2010 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.acostasales.com:80MediaCenterDetail.aspx?ItemID=442&folderid=122Acosta has acquired FrontLine Marketing, a leading national in-store display network and shopper marketing company. This acquisition will allow CPG companies to better communicate with shoppers in the store through FrontLine’s onsite media and display solutions. FrontLine’s solutions include front-end, pharmacy, healthy living, and welcome center displays available at more than 8,000 grocery and pharmacy retailers including chains such as Kroger, SUPERVALU, Safeway, Food Lion, and Winn-Dixie. The company’s advertising and product displays are placed in highly-visible and well-trafficked perimeter and point-of-sale locations throughout a store.  “This acquisition is a natural extension of our strategy to provide CPG companies with integrated marketing solutions,” said Acosta President & CEO Robert Hill. “Acosta will help FrontLine rapidly expand its industry-leading suite of shopper marketing tools to new retailers and trade classes. Our marketing services now cover the entire path to purchase, from insights and analysis to broad-based sales and marketing activation programs.” In the quest to increase store traffic, FrontLine brings a brand’s message and product to a store’s high-traffic power perimeter to maximize trial, exposure and sales. The company’s checkout advertising and display program reaches 100% of shoppers week after week, shopping trip after shopping trip. Its pharmacy display network targets the highest-profit area of the store. FrontLine merchandises its own programs, giving CPG companies the highest compliance and sales results of any in-store marketing program.  “We consider this acquisition a tremendous opportunity for FrontLine’s clients and our employees,” said FrontLine President Jefferson Myers. “Today’s announcement significantly enhances our ability to expand our network through Acosta’s deep retail contacts, improve the insights and ROI metrics we bring our clients, and provide enhanced program execution.”  FrontLine was founded in 1989, and since then a core team of long-term executives has created some of the most innovative programs in the in-store marketing industry. Today, FrontLine’s clients include a diverse group of leading health and beauty care, over-the-counter pharmaceutical and CPG companies. Jefferson Myers will continue to operate FrontLine from its Darien, Conn., headquarters and will work collaboratively with Acosta to maximize the company’s network and reach.  About Acosta Sales and MarketingWith more than 80 years of experience, Acosta is the sales and marketing powerhouse behind more than a thousand of the biggest brands you see in stores every day. With more than 16,000 associates in 65 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, Acosta represents 66 percent of the #1 and #2 brands in the CPG industry today. Acosta provides a range of outsourced sales, marketing and retail merchandising services to effectively move products off shelves and into shoppers’ baskets, ensuring that clients achieve their true sales potential. For more information, visit www.acosta.com.About FrontLine MarketingFrontLine Marketing is the premier shopper marketing network in the nation. FrontLine’s in-store marketing programs put products front and center in over 8,000 supermarkets across the U.S. Headquartered in Darien, Conn., FrontLine’s clients include leading CPG companies.Application Administrator6/9/2010 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.acostasales.com:80MediaCenterDetail.aspx?ItemID=443&folderid=122Jacksonville, Fla., Acosta announced today a companywide fundraising partnership with the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). “Believe in Heroes” is a promotional in-store cause-related event bringing retailers, consumer packaged good (CPG) companies and shoppers together to raise funds for the Wounded Warrior Project.The program kicks off in all 515 Winn-Dixie stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi and runs June 2- June 15. CPG brands will donate a percentage of their program sponsorship fees to WWP. In addition, Winn-Dixie will have scannable $1 donation tear-pads at each register for shopper contributions.Participating brands include Bush’s Best Beans, Heinz, Sargento Cheese, McCormick, Kingsford, Hidden Valley Ranch, Glad, Sunny D, Vlasic, KC Masterpiece, Dean’s Dips, and Welch’s Juices.The program will be promoted to shoppers through e-mail blasts, website support, weekly ads, in-store radio, and customized store signage. Winn-Dixie associates also will wear a special ribbon supporting WWP to raise awareness of the fundraising opportunity.”The Wounded Warrior Project provides critical services to our communities, and we are pleased to partner with WWP, Winn-Dixie and our CPG clients on a fundraising project of this caliber,” said Acosta President and CEO Robert Hill. “These contributions assist thousands of wounded warriors returning home from current conflicts and provide support to their families.”Over 37,000 of our nation’s armed forces have been physically wounded during the current military conflicts. Hundreds of thousands more are estimated to be recovering from invisible wounds of war, including post traumatic stress disorder, major depression and traumatic brain injury. WWP assists wounded warriors and their families through a holistic approach to their recovery, providing programs and services to aid their physical rehabilitation and improving their mental health and well- being. Whether through caregiver retreats, combat stress programs, career and education services, or adaptive sporting opportunities, WWP empowers warriors with the tools essential to not just survive their injuries but to thrive and achieve personal and professional success.“It is an honor to partner with Acosta, and we thank the company for doing its part to support wounded warriors,” said Wounded Warrior Project Executive Director Steve Nardizzi. “This assistance and public awareness will go a long way in helping this generation of veterans heal in mind, body and spirit.”About Wounded Warrior ProjectThe mission of the Wounded Warrior Project is to honor and empower wounded warriors. Its purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public’s aid for the needs of severely injured service members, to help severely injured men and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. WWP is a national, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, FL. To get involved and learn more, visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.About Acosta Sales and MarketingWith more than 80 years of experience, Acosta is the sales and marketing powerhouse behind more than a thousand of the biggest brands you see in stores every day. With more than 16,000 associates in 65 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, Acosta represents 66 percent of the #1 and #2 brands in the CPG industry today. Acosta provides a range of outsourced sales, marketing and retail merchandising services to effectively move products off shelves and into shoppers’ baskets, ensuring that clients achieve their true sales potential. For more information, visit www.acosta.com.Application Administrator6/2/2010 00:00:00 AMhttp://uploadedFiles/Content/Media_Center/Publications/Spirit Magazine - Summer 2010.pdfThis issue of Spirit Magazine covers Acosta’s commitment to the Wounded Warrior Project, our growth through key strategic acquisitions, the development of our on-boarding processes, and the expansion of our integrated marketing and business process outsourcing services.Application Administrator6/1/2010 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.acostasales.com:80MediaCenterDetail.aspx?ItemID=444&folderid=122Jacksonville, Fla., -– Acosta today announced the additions of Alfred Wittemen and Shannon Hodock to its marketing team. These new positions are part of Acosta’s mission to be a leader in integrated marketing by helping clients optimize brand value and sales with key retailers. The addition of the two new senior-level executives to its marketing arm will increase the Jacksonville-based agency’s capabilities in connecting shoppers to brands and driving sales for retailers. Already a leader in headquarter sales and retail execution, Acosta’s strategic focus on integrated marketing solutions brings together its sales, insights and retail execution capabilities to provide CPG companies with clear and timely marketing messages that build brand advocacy with shoppers.“Adding Al and Shannon to Acosta’s team enhances our marketing capabilities and provides a superior and differentiating value proposition to our clients,” said Ramin Eivaz, Acosta’s Chief Marketing Officer. “Al is a distinguished, industry veteran who can accelerate our ability to set industry standards and deliver results at an even higher level. Shannon’s exceptional experience in onboarding and grounding CPG companies in shopper marketing will deliver a superior experience to our clients.”In his role as Executive Vice President of Integrated Marketing, Wittemen will oversee marketing strategy, business development, account management, and creative for Acosta’s marketing agencies. Acosta’s agency MatchPoint Marketing oversees shopper marketing programs for more than 150 brands at most of the top grocery chains in the U.S. Wittemen will report to Ramin Eivaz. As Senior Vice President of Shopper Marketing, Hodock also will be working with Acosta’s agencies, focusing on strategic program development for both new and existing clients. Hodock will report to MatchPoint Marketing and Promo Depot President Mike Sims.Wittemen has 40 years experience in shopper marketing, sales, branding, and product growth for CPG companies and marketing service agencies. He most recently was Chief Retail Strategist at Omnicon-owned TracyLocke, where he updated, expanded and increased customer marketing and shopper marketing programs with clients including Pepsi, Frito-Lay, Kimberly-Clark, Hershey, and T-Mobile. Prior to that Wittemen was founder and partner of Retail Performance Group, LLC, where he developed successful shopper marketing plans for Unilever, Foster Grant, Master Foods, Michelin, and Nokia. Wittemen is known for showing companies how to maximize growth and improve customer relationships by integrating the manufacturing, retailing and marketing processes. He has spoken at industry conferences on shopper marketing and has been quoted in Advertising Age, The Hub and USA Today.Hodock has spent the last nine years with TracyLocke, most recently as a Group Account Director, where she created shopper marketing and integrated marketing programs, promotions and sponsorships for a variety of blue chip brands including Hewlett-Packard, Kimberly-Clark, Quaker Foods, PepsiCo, Johnson & Johnson, AT&T, and Walmart. Prior to that, she served as a Program Manager with Digitas’ General Motors account overseeing Pontiac’s involvement with ESPN’s X Games, golf, tennis, motorsports, and other special events. She also worked with Momentum Worldwide and Young & Rubicam’s New York offices on those agencies’ American Express, Johnson & Johnson, AT&T, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and Colgate-Palmolive accounts.About Acosta Sales and MarketingWith more than 80 years of experience, Acosta is the sales and marketing powerhouse behind more than a thousand of the biggest brands you see in stores every day. With more than 15,000 associates in 65 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, Acosta represents 66 percent of the #1 and #2 brands in the CPG industry today. Acosta provides a range of outsourced sales, marketing and retail merchandising services to effectively move products off shelves and into shoppers’ baskets, ensuring that clients achieve their true sales potential. For more information, visit www.acosta.com.Application Administrator4/12/2010 00:00:00 AMhttp://acostadev/uploadedFiles/Content/Media_Center/Publications/Spirit Magazine - Spring 2010.pdfSome of our most impressive examples of client satisfaction are showcased in this issue. These include Nestlé, for whom we completed a large restocking project in two weeks; Simply, who we helped gain significant shelf space; and Splenda, for whom we launched an innovative promotional program at Costco.Application Administrator3/31/2010 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.acostasales.com:80MediaCenterDetail.aspx?ItemID=445&folderid=122Jacksonville, Fla., -- Acosta has acquired Dynamic Food Marketing, a sales and marketing agency focused on fresh foods for supermarket and club retailers. Located in Natick Massachusetts, Dynamic Food Marketing covers 14 states along the U.S. eastern seaboard.Established in 1978, Dynamic Food Marketing evolved from Deli Dynamics in 2007 as the company expanded its coverage to include full support of all perishables departments. The company has enjoyed over thirty years of success by nurturing a dynamic and inclusive culture that thrives on creating sales, marketing and merchandising solutions for the deli, meat, cheese, seafood, frozen, dairy and prepared foods departments of the food retailing community. It is this success that will be an asset in Acosta’s growth strategy around prepared foods, gourmet cheese and deli.“As industry consolidation and the requirement of category research and analysis intensifies, we embraced a strategy to align our people and our valued clients with one of North America’s leading sales, marketing and service companies. With parallel values and goals, access to proven technological resources and sound business development practices, we believe this partnership will allow us to deliver greater value to our customers and our clients while enhancing the brand equity of Acosta Fresh Foods,” said Dynamic Food Marketing CEO Robert Levine.Dynamic Food Marketing’s clients include such companies as Lactalis Deli, Inc., Basic American Foods, Farmland, Bel Brands, Sorrento, Blake’s All Natural Foods, Clear Springs Foods, Finlandia, Hain Pure Protein Corporation, McCain, Tyson, and Norseland.About Acosta Sales and MarketingWith more than 80 years of experience, Acosta is the sales and marketing powerhouse behind more than a thousand of the biggest brands you see in stores every day. With more than 14,000 associates in 65 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, Acosta represents 66 percent of the #1 and #2 brands in the CPG industry today. Acosta provides a range of outsourced sales, marketing and retail merchandising services to effectively move products off shelves and into shoppers’ baskets, ensuring that clients achieve their true sales potential. For more information, visit www.acosta.com.Application Administrator1/29/2010 00:00:00 AMhttp://uploadedFiles/Content/Media_Center/Publications/Spirit Magazine - Winter 2010.pdfThis issue provides profiles of our 2009 Chairman’s Award winners, who exemplify Acosta’s corporate values and make a significant difference in our future success by positively applying their special gifts and talents.Application Administrator1/4/2010 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.acostasales.com:80MediaCenterDetail.aspx?ItemID=446&folderid=122Jacksonville, Fla., -– Acosta has acquired selected assets from TrueDemand Software, a leading provider of store-level insights and analytics solutions for consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies.TrueDemand, based in Los Gatos, Calif., provides software and services that help CPG companies lift sales while improving store operations, replenishment and supply chain business processes. The solution enables client teams to assess daily sales performance and to take action on specific recommendations.“Acosta has made a commitment to enhance its marketing services capabilities, and the addition of TrueDemand further demonstrates this mission,” Acosta Chief Strategy Officer Brian King said. “TrueDemand’s market-proven platform advances our modeling and analytics in a way that naturally extends our service offerings with our client partners.”Key capabilities of the TrueDemand solution include: * Automatically detecting and predicting out-of-stock items at the store shelf on a daily basis * Creating a daily demand forecast at the distribution center and store level * Correcting inaccurate inventory levels in stores * Improving the effectiveness of store operations activities * Measuring sales execution and performance across multiple retailersAcosta Chief Marketing Officer Ramin Eivaz added, “TrueDemand has market-tested analytics to identify opportunities for our clients in the areas of lost sales, pricing and promotion analysis. Acosta already has strong capabilities around data and in-store execution. The addition of the TrueDemand solution will enhance our existing analytics and insights platform thereby providing our clients with a more robust marketing solution.”TrueDemand was founded in 2004 by experts in retail science and the consumer product supply chain. As the company has grown, it has added specialists in retail replenishment science and systems to its team. TrueDemand continues to innovate and extend the value of its solutions with guidance from its customers and advisory board which includes well-known experts from industry, consulting and academia.“We are excited to join forces with Acosta to provide CPG companies with the very best marketing services,” said Eric Peters, TrueDemand President and CEO. “As a part of Acosta we will be able to provide clients with value that is unmatched in the industry.”About Acosta Sales and Marketing CompanyWith more than 80 years of experience, Acosta is the sales and marketing powerhouse behind more than a thousand of the biggest brands you see in stores every day. With more than 14,000 associates in 65 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, Acosta represents 66 percent of the #1 and #2 brands in the CPG industry today. Acosta provides a range of outsourced sales, marketing and retail merchandising services to effectively move products off shelves and into shoppers’ baskets, ensuring that clients achieve their true sales potential. For more information, visit www.acosta.com.Application Administrator12/3/2009 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.acostasales.com:80MediaCenterDetail.aspx?ItemID=447&folderid=122Jacksonville, Fla., -– Ramin Eivaz has joined Acosta as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). In this role Ramin will have full responsibility for the growth and development of Acosta Marketing Services.Acosta Marketing Services is composed of the following areas: Analytical Services (category management and space technology), Acosta Insights (shopper insights, trade optimization, pricing, and other strategic services), MatchPoint Marketing (consumer promotions), and Promo Depot (promotional products).“Marketing Services represents a tremendous growth opportunity for Acosta,” said Acosta President and CEO Robert Hill. “As CMO, Ramin will ensure Marketing Services rapidly grows as a critically important differentiator and driver for Acosta.”Ramin brings extraordinary marketing services experience to Acosta. Earlier in his career he held positions of increased responsibility with E&J Gallo Winery, PepsiCo and Kimberly Clark. He spent six years with PepsiCo, last serving as Vice President, Business Intelligence and Consumer Insight with responsibility for developing and managing market intelligence, third-party data, industry-wide e-collaboration, analytics, shopper insight, category management, sales force training, and providing leadership and governance for the PepsiCo enterprise resource planning initiative.While at Kimberly Clark, he last served as Vice President, Insight, Strategy & Growth for the $12 billion North Atlantic consumer division where he had divisionwide responsibility for insight generation, creation of advanced and differentiated insight capabilities, category management, development and integration of strategies, marketing services, creation and prioritization of growth agenda, development, and launch of products and categories new to Kimberly Clark.Most recently, Ramin served as Senior Vice President, Director Insight & Innovation for Wachovia Corporation, the fourth largest bank holding company in the U.S., where he was responsible for establishing industry-leading insight and innovation functions including consumer targeting, advanced analytics and modeling, and market/consumer research with the goal of propelling organic growth and attracting new customers.Ramin is a graduate of California State University with a bachelor’s degree in computer science and an MBA.About Acosta Sales and Marketing CompanyWith more than 80 years of experience, Acosta is the sales and marketing powerhouse behind more than a thousand of the biggest brands you see in stores every day. With more than 13,000 associates in 65 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, Acosta represents 66 percent of the #1 and #2 brands in the CPG industry today. Acosta provides a range of outsourced sales, marketing and retail merchandising services to effectively move products off shelves and into shoppers’ baskets, ensuring that clients achieve their true sales potential. For more information, visit www.acosta.com.Application Administrator10/20/2009 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.acostasales.com:80MediaCenterDetail.aspx?ItemID=448&folderid=122Jacksonville, Fla., -– Rebecca (Becky) Steele has joined Acosta as Executive Vice President of Human Resources. Becky will have responsibility for all HR operations, ensuring Acosta attracts, retains and develops the highest caliber of associates. Located at Acosta’s headquarters in Jacksonville, Fla., Steele becomes a member of the executive team reporting directly to President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Hill. Becky has over 25 years of human resources experience in a variety of industries and organizations including the Marriott Corporation, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida and most recently Stein Mart Inc. She brings to Acosta a unique combination of operations and HR experience including employee relations, compensation and benefits, recruitment, and organizational development. She also has extensive experience working with part-time associates in the hospitality, health care and retail industries. Becky is a graduate of Virginia Tech with a master’s degree in education and instructional design. As the vice president of human resources at Stein Mart, a national fashion merchandise retailer with 300 stores and 17,000 associates, Becky was responsible for all HR functions including organizational development, benefits, training, and corporate employee relations. Her key accomplishments included increasing the effectiveness of and the migration to technology- based learning programs, the establishment of Stein Mart University as an online portal for career development and the improvement of talent and performance management processes. “Becky’s extensive experience in human resources will bring a new level of associate development to Acosta,” said Hill. “As Acosta grows, it is important that our HR functions support and enhance our key business strategy of recruiting and retaining outstanding associates. Becky is the right person to lead this important initiative.” About Acosta Sales and Marketing CompanyWith more than 80 years of experience, Acosta is the sales and marketing powerhouse behind more than a thousand of the biggest brands you see in stores every day. With more than 12,000 associates in 65 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, Acosta represents 66 percent of the #1 and #2 brands in the CPG industry today. Acosta provides a range of outsourced sales, marketing and retail merchandising services to effectively move products off shelves and into shoppers’ baskets, ensuring that clients achieve their true sales potential. For more information, visit www.acosta.com.Application Administrator3/30/2009 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.acostasales.com:80MediaCenterDetail.aspx?ItemID=449&folderid=122Jacksonville, Fla. -– Gary R. Chartrand was named Executive Chairman of Acosta Sales and Marketing Company and announced the promotion of Robert Hill Jr. to President and Chief Executive Officer effective January 1, 2009. Hill also was named to the company’s Board of Directors. Chartrand, who has led the Jacksonville-based company as CEO since 1996 and became its Chairman in 1998, will continue as Chairman of the Board of Directors.“Robert’s tremendous leadership, dedication and deep passion for Acosta make this decision the right one for the company,” said Chartrand. “I look forward to working with Robert as we write Acosta’s next successful chapter.”Hill will now be responsible for developing, communicating and executing Acosta’s strategic plans, communicating progress with the internal and external stakeholders, and overseeing the operational aspects of running the company. He reports to Chartrand.A 1983 graduate of Furman University, Hill joined Knoxville, Tenn.-based Siler Brokerage Company in 1986. Siler was that region’s leading sales and marketing company representing consumer product goods. Hill steadily rose through the ranks, becoming Siler’s president in 1992. Hill joined Acosta in 1994 when the company acquired Siler. He quickly moved up the ranks at Acosta, rising to president of Acosta Services in 2002, where he was responsible for new business development across North America and grew the business significantly. He was subsequently promoted to president and chief operating officer in March 2007, managing Acosta’s day-to-day operations.Chartrand joined Acosta as business manager in 1983 after seven years with the Carnation Company. He was subsequently promoted to vice president, regional vice president of Florida, president in 1993, and then president and chief executive officer in 1996. He has served as chairman of the company’s Board of Directors since 1998 and will continue in that capacity. As Executive Chairman, Chartrand will work with Hill in developing the annual strategic plan for board review and will also help oversee the future development and growth of the company.“Robert has earned tremendous respect from our associates, our manufacturer clients and retail customers, and has been successful in every role he has had with our company during the past 14 years,” said Chartrand. “This move provides the continued leadership and strategic guidance that will ensure Acosta’s tradition of success, growth and profitability.”About Acosta Sales and Marketing CompanyWith more than 80 years of experience, Acosta is the sales and marketing powerhouse behind more than a thousand of the biggest brands you see in stores every day. With more than 12,000 associates in 65 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, Acosta represents 66 percent of the #1 and #2 brands in the CPG industry today. Acosta provides a range of outsourced sales, marketing and retail merchandising services to effectively move products off shelves and into shoppers’ baskets, ensuring that clients achieve their true sales potential. For more information, visit www.acosta.com.Application Administrator11/12/2008 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.acostasales.com:80MediaCenterDetail.aspx?ItemID=450&folderid=122Jacksonville, FL, -- Acosta will acquire Promo Depot Inc. a Jacksonville, FL-based promotional products company and marketing agency effective December 1, 2008. The service offerings of Promo Depot and those of Acosta’s in-house agency, MatchPoint Marketing, are closely aligned and as such, the two entities will be combined into one organization under the leadership of Promo Depot President Mike Sims. The combined company will focus on excellence in the development and delivery of brand strategy, creative, interactive marketing, and sales promotion. It will be called Promo Depot/MatchPoint with offices in Jacksonville, Pittsburgh, Bentonville, Tampa, Charlotte, Boston, Cincinnati, St. Louis, San Antonio, Dallas, Los Angeles, Toronto and Pleasanton.In addition to promotional products, Promo Depot services also include collateral and print development, custom merchandising and point-of-purchase solutions, premium and incentive programs, and event- driven marketing campaigns. Its client base is composed of consumer packaged goods manufacturers and retailers including Campbell’s, Kraft, Clorox, Sam’s Club, Walmart, and Winn Dixie. It also has a diverse client base of leading companies in other industries such as Fidelity National Financial, Carrier, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and PSS World Medical.“Promo Depot brings to Acosta a dynamic management team and group of associates who have established exceptional relationships and built a strong reputation with both grocery and non-grocery clients,” said Acosta President and Chief Operating Officer Robert Hill.“Joining forces with Acosta provides the scale and infrastructure for Promo Depot/MatchPoint to be the dominant promotional products company and the premier promotional agency in these key segments of the advertising industry,” said Mike Sims, Promo Depot President. “The talent and expertise of our combined agencies, coupled with Acosta’s strategic relevance to the top retailers and manufacturers, offers a compelling business model for our clients.”About Acosta Sales and Marketing CompanyWith more than 80 years of experience, Acosta is the sales and marketing powerhouse behind more than a thousand of the biggest brands you see in stores every day. With more than 12,000 associates in 65 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, Acosta represents 66 percent of the #1 and #2 brands in the CPG industry today. Acosta provides a range of outsourced sales, marketing and retail merchandising services to effectively move products off shelves and into shoppers’ baskets, ensuring that clients achieve their true sales potential. For more information, visit www.acosta.com.Application Administrator11/5/2008 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.acostasales.com:80MediaCenterDetail.aspx?ItemID=451&folderid=122Jacksonville, Fla., -- Acosta has acquired Top Line Food Sales and Marketing, a leading bakery sales and marketing agency serving the New England and Eastern Great Lakes markets. The Top Line acquisition allows Acosta to continue to build its Fresh Foods platform and to strengthen its bakery presence in this important geographic area.“Top Line also brings to Acosta an outstanding group of associates who have built exceptional relationships with top bakery manufacturers,” said Acosta President and Chief Operating Officer Robert Hill. “Top Line former owners, John DeRoy and Marc DiPersio, will become Acosta associates and will continue to lead this group. Their experience in this market will benefit all concerned.”“We truly believe this is a win-win situation for everyone,” said John DeRoy and Marc DiPersio. “Leveraging Acosta’s size, industry knowledge, strategic insights, and technical expertise will only enhance our clients’ businesses.”This acquisition is in line with Acosta’s growth strategies for 2008 to increase its scale in key areas of its business. Other key growth areas for Acosta include natural/specialty sales, military, drug, and confection.About Acosta Sales and Marketing CompanyWith more than 80 years of experience, Acosta is the sales and marketing powerhouse behind more than a thousand of the biggest brands you see in stores every day. With more than 11,000 associates in 65 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, Acosta represents 66 percent of the #1 and #2 brands in the CPG industry today. Acosta provides a range of outsourced sales, marketing and retail merchandising services to effectively move products off shelves and into shoppers’ baskets, ensuring that clients achieve their true sales potential. For more information, visit www.acosta.com.Application Administrator8/25/2008 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.acostasales.com:80MediaCenterDetail.aspx?ItemID=452&folderid=122Jacksonville, Fla., -– Acosta Chairman and CEO Gary Chartrand has been named to the Supermarket News Power 50 list for the sixth year in a row. Supermarket News, one of the leading trade publications for the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry, released the rankings in its July 21 issue. Chartrand has been recognized as one of the Top 50 individuals who have had extraordinary influence on the food industry. The Power 50 roster includes retailers, manufacturers, association executives, and government officials among others. Chartrand was the only individual on the list representing a sales and marketing agency. Being included on the Supermarket News Power 50 list is quite an honor as the rankings were developed from nominations to the Supermarket News Web site as well as extensive feedback from industry executives. As Chairman-CEO of Acosta Sales and Marketing Company, headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., Chartrand has been the pivotal force behind Acosta's dramatic transformation into a full-service North American sales and marketing company, quadrupling the company's geographic coverage. He has been with Acosta since 1983 when he was hired as a business manager. Since then, Chartrand has served as the company's vice president, regional vice president of Florida, president, and president and CEO. During his 25 year tenure, Acosta has made more than 85 acquisitions in the U.S. and Canada, most recently expanding into the military channel through the purchase of C. Lloyd Johnson. Acosta now manages more than 1,000 clients and $45 billion in annual CPG sales throughout the U.S. and Canada. “Acosta’s continued growth and success can be attributed to Gary’s unwavering dedication to providing the very best sales, marketing and services solutions to the industry,” says Robert Hill, President-Chief Operating Officer. “His vision and leadership have made a lasting legacy in the grocery industry and Acosta.” About Acosta Sales and Marketing CompanyWith more than 80 years of experience, Acosta is the sales and marketing powerhouse behind more than a thousand of the biggest brands you see in stores every day. With more than 11,000 associates in 65 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, Acosta represents 66 percent of the #1 and #2 brands in the CPG industry today. Acosta provides a range of outsourced sales, marketing and retail merchandising services to effectively move products off shelves and into shoppers’ baskets, ensuring that clients achieve their true sales potential. For more information, visit www.acosta.com.Application Administrator8/1/2008 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.acostasales.com:80MediaCenterDetail.aspx?ItemID=453&folderid=122Jacksonville, Fla., -- Acosta has announced it will complete the acquisition of C. Lloyd Johnson Co. Inc. (CLJ), a leading military service sales and marketing agency, effective April 1. The CLJ acquisition officially marks Acosta’s entry into the military services business. With this acquisition, Acosta will now have the ability to service consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturers’ business across all military channels. A 62-year-old company, CLJ today has more than 750 associates offering a wide breadth of military services. CLJ serves the U.S. military Commissaries, Exchanges, Ships, Veterans’ Canteen Service, Prisons, and Meals- Ready-to-Eat. CLJ is headquartered in Norfolk, VA, with offices in San Diego; Dallas; Hopewell, VA; and Frankfurt, Germany. CLJ will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Acosta. By joining Acosta, CLJ will benefit from our existing technology capabilities and investments in the areas of headquarter selling, category management, retail, and sales support. “We believe this acquisition strengthens both companies and will provide great benefits to our clients,” said Lloyd Johnson, CLJ Chairman and CEO. “CLJ already represents an excellent portfolio of CPG companies several that are current Acosta clients.” According to Acosta President and Chief Operating Officer Robert Hill this acquisition will give CLJ military clients new resources and improved capabilities while also offering existing Acosta clients an improved military sales solution. “The joining together of the two companies will offer CPG companies more resources, greater capabilities and better technology than any other sales solution in the military marketplace today,” Hill said. “We look forward to providing our clients with excellent results in this channel.” About Acosta Sales and Marketing CompanyWith more than 80 years of experience, Acosta is the sales and marketing powerhouse behind more than a thousand of the biggest brands you see in stores every day. With more than 11,000 associates in 65 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, Acosta represents 66 percent of the #1 and #2 brands in the CPG industry today. Acosta provides a range of outsourced sales, marketing and retail merchandising services to effectively move products off shelves and into shoppers’ baskets, ensuring that clients achieve their true sales potential. For more information, visit www.acosta.com.Application Administrator3/31/2008 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.acostasales.com:80MediaCenterDetail.aspx?ItemID=454&folderid=122Jacksonville, Fla., -– Acosta has acquired Hynes Inc., a U.S. sales and marketing agency specializing in representing companies that manufacture health, beauty and general merchandise products and servicing the drug, grocery and mass channels. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Established in 1939 in Charlotte, N.C., as a single-market consumer packaged goods sales and marketing agency, Hynes has grown by developing client brands and acquiring other companies. Today Hynes’ coverage spans across New England, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest, and Florida markets. In addition to its Charlotte headquarters, Hynes has offices in Taunton, Mass.; Tampa, Fla.; Dallas; and Washington DC.“One of our growth strategies for 2008 is to increase our presence in the drug channel,” said Acosta President and Chief Operating Officer Robert Hill. “This acquisition is an excellent opportunity for us to strengthen our relationship with retailers such as Rite Aid and CVS thereby increasing services to our clients.”About Acosta Sales and Marketing CompanyWith more than 80 years of experience, Acosta is the sales and marketing powerhouse behind more than a thousand of the biggest brands you see in stores every day. With more than 11,000 associates in 65 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, Acosta represents 66 percent of the #1 and #2 brands in the CPG industry today. Acosta provides a range of outsourced sales, marketing and retail merchandising services to effectively move products off shelves and into shoppers’ baskets, ensuring that clients achieve their true sales potential. For more information, visit www.acosta.com.Application Administrator2/11/2008 00:00:00 AMhttp://www.acostasales.com:80MediaCenterDetail.aspx?ItemID=455&folderid=122Jacksonville, Fla., -– Mark Chaffin has joined Acosta as Chief Information Officer. Chaffin will be responsible for all Information Technology operations and will ensure that all IT functions align with and support Acosta’s business strategy to deliver the best solutions for clients, customers and associates. Located at Acosta’s headquarters in Jacksonville, Fla., Chaffin becomes a member of the executive team reporting directly to President and Chief Operating Officer Robert Hill. Chaffin replaces retiring Chief Information Officer Chuck Wyckoff. In 2005 Chaffin co-founded Florida Technology, a Jacksonville, FL-based technology consulting firm focused on business intelligence and application development, and served as its managing partner. Prior to founding Florida Technology, he was the North American business intelligence practice director for Seattle-based Avanade and, prior to that, served as the business intelligence practice director for Encore Development in Jacksonville. Chaffin is a life-long resident of Jacksonville and earned a bachelor’s degree from Jacksonville University.While with Avanade and Florida Technology, Chaffin worked with Acosta over the past four years developing the company’s OutlookSoft budgeting and planning solution, enterprise data warehouse and various other IT initiatives.“While working with Acosta, Mark gained exceptional knowledge about the company’s systems, technology infrastructure and the information needs of the business,” said Hill. “He brings an excellent combination of technical expertise and business experience to this position.”About Acosta Sales and Marketing CompanyWith more than 80 years of experience, Acosta is the sales and marketing powerhouse behind more than a thousand of the biggest brands you see in stores every day. With more than 11,000 associates in 65 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, Acosta represents 66 percent of the #1 and #2 brands in the CPG industry today. Acosta provides a range of outsourced sales, marketing and retail merchandising services to effectively move products off shelves and into shoppers’ baskets, ensuring that clients achieve their true sales potential. For more information, visit www.acosta.com.Application Administrator1/8/2008 00:00:00 AM