1989
Valassis formed Valassis Impact Promotions (VIP), a specialty print promotion operation that produces custom promotional pieces featuring one company, often a food service or other franchise retail company. By 2001, VIP would grow into a division generating over $100 million in annual sales. VIP is now the Targeted Print and Media Solutions Division that produces products delivered to neighborhoods.1992
CPH took Valassis public as Valassis Communications, Inc. (VCI), issuing 22.1 million shares of stock on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) at $17 per share; CPH retained 49 percent of the shares. Although VCI is now branded "Valassis," VCI remains the stock ticker on the NYSE. Valassis introduced the C&D County Insert, which distributes FSIs to over 5 million households in small, rural communities with key retail locations. This program allows marketers to reach consumers in outlying areas with a four-color coupon vehicle, while promoting traffic in local stores.1993
Valassis acquired Newspac® from the Newspaper Association of America and the Chicago Tribune. Newspac would eventually be developed into a family of targeted marketing products delivered to neighborhoods - Newspouch®, Retail Bag™, Brand Bag™ and Brand Bag+™ - all delivered via the home-delivered newspaper. Valassis named one of the "100 Best Companies to Work for in America" by the concept originators, Robert Levering and Milton Moskowitz.1995
Valassis expanded into Canada with the acquisition of Canadian marketing company McIntyre & Dodd.1996
The Valassis Board of Directors authorized the company's first 5-million share repurchase program.1997
CPH divested its interest in VCI and completed a successful secondary offering at $24 per share; Valassis became an independent public company, increasing liquidity and doubling trading levels in the stock. Valassis completed construction of a new corporate headquarters in Livonia, Michigan. Valassis developed Brand Bag and Brand Bag+, polyethylene newspaper bags imprinted with advertisers' messages, which can include a tear-off, weather-resistant coupon. Valassis ranked one of the "100 Best Companies to Work for in America" by Levering and Moskowitz, in conjunction with Fortune magazine.1998
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Alan F. Schultz, succeeded David A. Brandon as President and Chief Executive Officer. Under Schultz' leadership, Valassis began positioning itself to be more customer-driven versus product-driven, and developed a strategic growth plan. Valassis named one of the "100 Best Companies to Work for in America" by FORTUNE magazine. Valassis Promociones, a fulfillment group in Mexicali, Mexico was acquired. The Valassis Board of Directors authorized the company's second 5-million share repurchase program.1999
A 30% investment in Relationship Marketing Group, Inc. (RMG) to provide a retail-sponsored direct mail vehicle targeting frequent shopper households based on prior purchase behavior. RMG was later merged to become what is now ValassisContinue >>
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