Edina-based Priority Integrated Marketing, which helps other companies by publishing their newsletters, designing websites and marketing via the web, has been acquired by a New Jersey firm in the same market, the company said Tuesday.
The terms of the acquisition by Dowden Health Media of Montvale, N.J. were not disclosed.
Kathryn Hammond, vice president and chief operating officer of Priority, said its 37 employees in Edina and one in Texas will retain their jobs and remain at their current locations. She and Priority's president, Jim Larranaga, will join the Dowden management team.
Priority's business is focused on the healthcare and financial services industry, and includes clients such as U.S. Bancorp, the parent company of U.S. Bank; HealthEast, which owns Twin Cities hospital and clinics; Wings Financial, a Twin Cities credit union; and the health insurer Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Hammond said. Dowden offers marketing services to hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and other firms.
Jim Hughes, CEO of Dowden, said clients' complex businesses require the company to offer a clear vision for their marketing with speedy implementation relying on deep resources. "This acquisition enables us to do just that," he said.
Priority was founded by Larranaga's parents, Bob and Mary. Jim Larranaga became the president in 2001 after the they retired.
Its services on the web include e-mail marketing, search-engine optimization and social media marketing. It also publishes newsletters, in printed and via e-mail, including HealthEast's.
The acquisition creates a 100-person enterprise. DHM is owned by High Road Capital Partners, a New York-based private equity firm.
