Caterpillar Selects BDA As Official Brand Merchandise Agency

Woodinville Company's Commitment to Quality and Sustainability Practices Solidify Partnership

Woodinville, WA –December 16, 2008 -- Bensussen Deutsch & Associates, Inc. (BDA), the nation's premier Merchandise Agency^SM, today announced its partnership with Caterpillar, the world’s largest maker of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, and industrial gas turbines.  The relationship marks the first time in 17 years that Caterpillar has licensed a new promotional merchandise vendor.

To meet the merchandising and brand marketing needs of Caterpillar, BDA has opened a new office in Peoria, IL.  A team of dedicated and experienced brand professionals will work to provide strategic merchandise that serves as an extension of Caterpillar’s brand and its distinctive identity.  BDA will also manage an e-commerce program, enabling Caterpillar dealers and employees to purchase promotional merchandise via the Internet.

“Unlike traditional advertising, BDA works with clients to develop and execute strategic merchandise marketing programs that truly deliver lasting brand impressions.  This not only increases our clients’ brand value, but also can translate into real dollars for the company,” said BDA’s CEO, Jay Deutsch.  “With the expanded team located in Peoria, BDA will provide the same level of quality products and customer service excellence that Caterpillar gives to each and every one of its customers.”

In addition to quality and service excellence, it is BDA’s dedication to both sustainable and advanced quality assurance practices that makes for such a strong union.  Through its “Go Green” initiative, BDA offers environmentally conscientious, eco-friendly merchandise that mirrors Caterpillar’s commitment to sustainable practices.  Caterpillar will be able to utilize BDA’s extensive line of environmentally friendly branded merchandise products that embody the principles of reduce, reuse and recycle.

With such a prominent global presence, Caterpillar also required its partner to be a company committed to ensuring a secure and efficient international supply chain.  BDA has met the rigorous requirements of the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) certification, a program designed to detect and prevent terrorists and terrorist weaponry from entering the U.S., while facilitating the orderly and efficient flow of legitimate trade through the country’s borders.  In those instances where branded merchandise will be imported, Caterpillar will benefit from BDA’s enhanced supply chain transparency.

“For the past 80 years, Caterpillar has been a global leader in driving positive and sustainable change around the world,” said Deutsch.  “BDA is excited to bring one of world’s most recognizable brands into the real lives of real people through customized branded merchandise.”

Bensussen Deutsch & Associates, Inc. (BDA), the nation's first and only Merchandise AgencySM, provides marketing services and customized branded merchandise to Fortune 500 enterprises, major sports leagues and global entertainment holding companies. Clients come to BDA to extend their reach through custom branded-merchandise campaigns, integrated e-commerce marketing, and sports and entertainment sponsorship activation. Global brands such as Bank of America, Dell, GlaxoSmithKline, ExxonMobil, FedEx and Major League Baseball are but a few of the household names that rely on BDA to bring their marketing campaigns to life through merchandise. BDA attained the coveted Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) certification in 2008 highlighting the company’s advanced quality assurance practices for importing products from overseas. For more information on the power of merchandise, visit www.bdainc.com.

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Media Contact:
Kelly Mickelson
Barokas PR for BDA
206.264.8220
bda@barokas.com