Minnesota agency acquires 479 Sales & Marketing in Rogers

The Bluebird Group, a retail services consulting firm based in Minneapolis, Minn., has acquired 479 Sales & Marketing, a full-service omnichannel retail agency in Rogers. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Bluebird plans on keeping all 479 workers (10) and hiring more in Northwest Arkansas as part of its expansion. In total, Bluebird has 72 employees.

According to a news release, Bluebird has strong relationships with retailers Target, Best Buy and Costco. The 479 acquisition opens the door for expanded business with Walmart, Walmart.com and Sam’s Club.

“This partnership unlocks vast opportunities. The doors we’re able to open for one another create invaluable possibilities for our retail and brand partners,” 479 CEO John Crimmins said in a statement. Crimmins and Tyler Darnall were 479’s previous owners. The company launched in 2007.

“We’ve been methodical in our search for the right partner,” Jason Kapsner, Bluebird founder and CEO, said in a statement. “We’ve been wanting to grow our relationship with Walmart, and 479 can help us do that. We’re excited to bring them under the Bluebird umbrella and provide new opportunities for our brand and retail partners.”