AICO acquires multimedia design firm Graphic Visions
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, January 26, 2004
PICO RIVERA, Calif. — Case goods importer AICO has purchased a multimedia graphic design firm as part of a plan to bring more marketing and design functions in-house.
On Jan. 2, AICO acquired Graphic Visions, which handled some marketing services for AICO over the past seven years, for an undisclosed price.
The 18-year-old firm, which specializes in print production, video animation, Web site integration and graphic design, has shed its other accounts to become part of AICO's marketing department.
Its former owner and president, Mark Anthony Reyes, is now AICO's director of marketing. Reyes reports to Martin Ploy, vice president of sales and marketing, and will work with company Chief Executive Officer Michael Amini and President Larry Rinaldi on special projects.
AICO also has named Karen McRae as assistant director of marketing. She reports to Ploy.
Previously, marketing activities were handled in AICO's sales department under the direction of Sales Director Jeff Santanello. The company decided to separate the departments to allow the company to focus more on branding and corporate imaging.
"That becomes an important area for a growing company," Rinaldi said. "It takes on a more important meaning today than it did five years ago."
