Montreal — Groupe Aeroplan Inc. is expanding its business into the United States with the purchase of U.S.-based loyalty marketing services provider Carlson Marketing for $188-million.
Aeroplan, the loyalty program company spun off from Air Canada , says the acquisition of privately held Carlson Marketing from U.S. hotel and travel company Carlson Companies Inc. is another step in its strategy to expand into the international marketplace.
Aeroplan offers reward incentives for travel and other benefits to customers that do business with a number of companies. It already operates other programs in the United Kingdom and the Middle East.
Aeroplan says Carlson Marketing will be run as a separate division from Aeroplan's other businesses. The Minneapolis-based firm has relationships with brands in the financial services, automotive, high tech, consumer packaged goods and pharmaceutical sectors.
The deal is expected to close by early December.