World Marketing: Berkshire Hathaway Media sells marketing and direct mail division to Wisconsin group

Contact: Joshua Morby

Phone: (414) 791-9120

Email: joshmorby@jrmadvisers.com

BH Media sells marketing and direct mail division to Wisconsin group

World Marketing to move corporate headquarters to Milwaukee and expand product offerings

October 28, 2014 – Milwaukee, WI – Wisconsin businessman Robert M. Kraft, has acquired Omaha, Nebraska based World Marketing Inc. from Berkshire Hathaway. The transition will move the company’s corporate headquarters and administrative operations to Wisconsin while continuing office and production facilities in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas and Saint Louis.

“World Marketing has developed a great reputation with an incredible list of clients,” said Kraft. “We’re committed to continue providing exceptional support and service those clients have come to expect from the more than 450 world-class employees working in our operations across five states.”

Kraft and his investors have more than 100 years of combined direct mail and corporate operations experience with a focus on quality and customer service. They also bring a variety of complimentary digital and video marketing services and tools to the World Marketing team, which currently processes more than 1 billion pieces of mail annually for clients such as American Airlines, Kraft Foods, Bristol-Meyers Squibb and Blue Cross Blue Shield.

“With the rapid growth of our newspaper business, World Marketing was no longer a core part of our business as our focus accelerated on newspapers,” said Terry Kroeger, President and Chief Executive Officer of BH Media Group. “We are pleased to have found a buyer that is focused and dedicated on growing its direct mail business, which will be a good result for customers and employees.”

“This new leadership team brings the experience and additional product offerings which add incredible value to our current customers and clients as well as position us as a company to expand operations here in Wisconsin,” said longtime World Marketing executive Joe Ewers whose family started the operation in 1974. “We’re excited about what’s to come.”

Milwaukee, Wisconsin based Optimus Financial Services helped secure acquisition financing for the deal from Associated Bank in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.