Alliance Data Systems to Acquire Epsilon Data Management

Alliance Data Systems will acquire Epsilon Data Management, Inc., a marketing, transaction, technology and analytic services firm. The total value of the transaction is approximately $300 million, and is expected to close during the fourth quarter of 2004.

Mike Iaccarino, president and chief executive officer of Epsilon, will continue in his current role. Epsilon has approximately 700 employees located in Boston, Dallas, St. Louis, and Washington, D.C.

Epsilon provides customer management and loyalty services to a client base that includes Hilton Hotels, Principal Financial Group, Pfizer, Nestle Purina PetCare Company, AstraZeneca and Midas.

Alliance will purchase Epsilon from Relizon Holdings LLC, a portfolio company of The Carlyle Group, which was advised by CIBC World Markets Corp.