StarTek to acquire ACCENT Marketing Services for $16 million

It looks as if one of the region’s largest employers and nation’s biggest call center firms will soon have a new parent.

According to a press release, “StarTek, Inc. (“STARTEK”) (NYSE: SRT), a provider of business process outsourcing services, has entered into a definitive agreement with MDC Partners to acquire Accent Marketing Services, L.L.C. (“ACCENT”).”

ACCENT has operated an inbound call center in Farmington since 2006.

The news release goes on to say, “ACCENT is a business process outsourcing company providing contact center services and customer engagement solutions across six locations in the U.S. and Jamaica. ACCENT’s data-driven approach helps brands maximize their engagement with consumers and enables brands to influence behavior, all while generating a better return on investment across all customer touch points, including phone, online and social media channels. ACCENT has 18 clients from several industries, including telecom, technology, retail, financial services and consumer products. Combined with ACCENT’s 2,300 employees, StarTeK will have more than 50 clients and over 14,000 employees operating in five countries.

“The purchase of ACCENT builds upon our strategic plan to diversify our client base and enhance our customer engagement solutions,” said Chad Carlson, President and CEO of StarTeK. “In addition to a strong list of marquee clients, this transaction provides us with talented personnel that can bring value to a client’s customer lifecycle via omni-channel offerings. ACCENT’s Customer Engagement Agency model complements and further enhances the analytic capabilities we gained through our acquisition of Ideal Dialogue in 2013. We will use the foundation of the StarTeK Advantage System, including our newly completed IT Platform, to quickly integrate ACCENT and build value for our clients and shareholders.”

Reportedly, “ACCENT’s current annual revenue run rate is approximately $67 million. StarTeK management expects the majority of the integration to be completed prior to year end 2015 …”

As for the immediacy of the purchase, StarTek said, “The transaction is expected to close on or before May 31, 2015. StarTek plans to finance the transaction through its new $50 million secured revolving credit facility with BMO Harris Bank.”

StarTek to acquire ACCENT Marketing Services for $16 million