Valassis

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Company headquarters is located in Livonia, Michigan. Stock symbol is VCI.

1970 George F. Valassis incorporated George F. Valassis & Co. as a sales agent for printing companies.

1971 Valassis purchased its first printing press; moved from its entrepreneur owner's home to Oak Park, Michigan, where it operated as a full commercial printer. Delta Printing Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of George F. Valassis & Co., also produced printing for the parent company.

1972 Valassis revolutionized the coupon industry with a unique product called the Co-op Free-standing Insert (FSI). Valassis was the first company to offer advertisers a well-organized, professional FSI program with national reach and a commitment to guaranteed publishing dates and market distribution.

1983 Valassis added a second printing facility in Durham, North Carolina. Promotion Watch, a consulting service for customers' promotion security needs was introduced.

1985 Valassis added a third printing facility in Wichita, Kansas.

1986 Valassis purchased Newspaper Co-op Couponing (NCC) adding on-page, Run of Press (ROP) newspaper couponing to Valassis' product line. This acquisition made Valassis the only company to provide both color inserts and on-page newspaper couponing. Valassis was acquired by Consolidated Press Holdings (CPH) of Sydney, Australia, owned by Kerry Packer.

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 Valassis.

Relationship Marketing Systems (VRMS). VCI stock split for the first time, 3 for 2. Financial restructuring plan included reducing debt, lowering interest rates, purchasing $110 million of 9.55% senior notes due in 2003. Valassis named one of the "100 Best Companies to Work for" by FORTUNE magazine.

2000 Valassis' purchased a minority interest in Coupons, Inc. Valassis acquired PreVision Marketing, which added another level of 1 to 1 loyalty programs to retail trade through PreVision's customer base. Valassis acquired AMN, a direct-to-door sampling business. Valassis signed an agreement with VNU Marketing Information, Inc. to combine Valassis' RMG and VNU's Retail Marketing Systems (RMS) to produce VRMS. This merger accelerated Valassis' ability to target customer communications based on grocery retail frequent shopper data. The Valassis Board of Directors authorized the company's third 5-million share repurchase program. Valassis named one of the "100 Best Companies to Work for" by FORTUNE magazine.

2001 In April 2001, Valassis unveiled its new corporate identity: "Valassis … Connecting People to Brands." Valassis offered 20-year zero coupon convertible notes. Aztec two-dimensional bar code patent granted to Valassis. The Valassis Board of Directors authorized the company's fourth 5-million share repurchase program. Valassis reduced its debt by $70 million. Valassis named one of the "100 Best Companies to Work for" by FORTUNE magazine.

2002 Working with Papel Media to develop a Hispanic newspaper database, Valassis launched the Hispanic FSI. The first Integrated Solution was delivered, GM Hispanic Marketing Brand Bag, Direct Mail and Solo Insert. Valassis increased its ownership of VRMS to 88%. Valassis entered into a $125 million revolving credit facility. Valassis named one of the "100 Best Companies to Work for" by FORTUNE magazine.

2003 Valassis acquired NCH Marketing Inc., a coupon clearing and marketing services company with offices in France, Italy, Spain, Germany, England, United States and Mexico making Valassis an international company. Valassis launched its Vision to be an innovative, integrated marketing solutions company focused on customers in a broad range of industries. Valassis purchased remaining 12% of VRMS, making it a wholly-owned subsidiary. Valassis purchased the remaining part of PreVision Marketing, making it a wholly-owned subsidiary. Valassis offered 30-year convertible senior notes to institutional investors. Valassis named one of the "100 Best Companies to Work for" by FORTUNE magazine.

2004 Valassis began testing new media products and services in Europe. Valassis purchased Direct Marketing Services. Valassis named to IndustryWeek’s “50 Best Manufacturing Companies” list for the first time. Valassis reached $1 billion revenue milestone. Valassis named one of the "100 Best Companies to Work for" by FORTUNE magazine.

2005 The Valassis Board of Directors approved the company’s share repurchase program of up to 5 million shares of common stock and utilization of up to $150 million of cash and up to 100% of 2006 free cash flow. Valassis sold 110 integrated solutions exceeding its goal of 100. Valassis launched eSettlement, a unique web-based system that links retailers and manufacturers in the management and settlement of trade promotions. Valassis gained SysTrust certification on the co-op free-standing insert process. Valassis is the only company to offer this for FSIs. Valassis was inducted into FORTUNE magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For - Hall of Fame” for being named to the list for eight consecutive years. Valassis named to IndustryWeek’s “50 Best Manufacturing Companies” list.

2006 Valassis named one of the "100 Best Companies to Work for" by FORTUNE magazine. Valassis acquires ADVO the Windsor, CT based Direct Marketer.