Carlson Marketing, one of the country’s first and largest incentive and loyalty firms, has changed its name to Aimia.
The firm, created by Curtis Carlson in 1938 as the Gold Bond Stamp Co., got its start in grocer loyalty programs using trading stamps and later grew into one of the largest incentive and relationship management firms. Carlson Marketing was sold to Canadian firm Groupe Aeroplan in late 2009.
The new name, announced yesterday, incorporates two of Groupe Aeroplan’s brands: Carlson Marketing and LMG Insight & Communication, an international data analytics firm.
The company said the name Groupe Aeroplan—based on the Canadian firm’s original business, airline frequent-flier programs—no longer was reflective of the growing company.
"Our global full suite of loyalty management services provides us with a clear competitive advantage in a rapidly changing marketplace," says Rupert Duchesne, president and CEO. "As competitors try to position themselves to take advantage of the burgeoning international market for loyalty management services, we are already well positioned as the established experts. A single, explicit global brand clearly reaffirms this privileged position."