Marketing Technology Company Young America Poised For Growth Under New Equity And Refinancing Deal

EDINA, Minn., April 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Young America, one of the largest engagement marketing and fulfillment agencies in the country, completed an equity transaction, converting debt to equity under a new finance agreement with a Chicago-based investor consortium. As a part of the transaction, Young America converted from a C-Corporation to a Limited Liability Company and elected a new Board of Directors. New York-based Berenson & Company, a leading independent merchant-banking firm, were principal advisors to Young America on the transaction.

This new financing enables Young America to accelerate investment in high-growth areas of its business, including data services; sweeps, games, contests; and a newly launched solution: Sample 2.0—a patent pending technology that lets brands create in-store product sampling experiences using SKU-restricted, prepaid cards and codes.

"The launch of our Sample 2.0 solution last month, our expansion into database and direct marketing, and this new financing structure will allow us to build upon Young America's leading market position and scale up with new technologies," says Joe Custer, President. "Our clients are hungry for data centric customer experiences that promote collaboration between retailers and brands. With Sample 2.0, we're well positioned to expand and scale our partnerships beyond the traditional solutions that have led to Young America's success over the past 40 years."  

About Young America

Young America Corp., one of the nation's largest engagement marketing and fulfillment agencies, provides Fortune 500 brands and their agency partners with the services and technology needed to create multi-channel experiences that motivate people to engage the brand, take action and spread the word. Young America's team of 300 professionals collaborate to produce more than 3,500 national and local marketing programs annually, touching and rewarding tens of millions of shoppers and channel partners. Solutions include online, mobile and in-store delivery of sweeps, games, contests, rebates, product trials, sales incentives, and data services. Young America was founded in 1972 and is headquartered in Norwood Young America, MN. Visit us at http://www.young-america.com.

About Berenson & Company

Founded in 1990, Berenson & Company is an independent investment banking firm that provides high quality financial advice to a broad range of public and private corporations, financial institutions, equity sponsors and entrepreneurs. The Firm's investment banking capabilities include a comprehensive suite of mergers & acquisitions advisory services, public and private financings of debt and equity, and financial restructuring and recapitalizations. Its business philosophy is characterized by an objective, client-focused approach, and it is recognized for its unique insights and creative problem-solving in industries that are undergoing significant disruption. The firm also has a long-standing principal investment business, an affiliate in Dubai and a stake in a leading investment bank in India. Visit us at http://www.berensonco.com

SOURCE Young America, LLC