Vertis Communications

Vertis sees truth in advertising. Doing business as Vertis Communications, the company provides marketing services from conception through design, production, and distribution. It offers services such as market research, media planning, advertising production, digital production, and fulfillment. Its roster of clients includes grocery stores, retail chains, newspapers, and ad agencies. Vertis also produces newspaper inserts, such as color comics, TV magazines, and supplements, and provides direct mail, package design, interactive marketing, and media planning services to clients in the US and the UK. The company operates from 100 locations worldwide. Vertis exited Chapter 11 in late 2010.

Vertis filed for bankruptcy in 2010. It emerged from its reorganization plan later that year, having reduced its debt by approximately 60%, or more than $700 million. It also lowered its interest costs, extended its maturities, and increased its liquidity.

In late 2008 Vertis expanded significantly when it acquired rival ACG Holdings, which conducted business through its American Color Graphics unit. The deal greatly enhanced Vertis' printing offerings and also helped to alleviate debt. (In order to restructure for the acquisition, Vertis voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection earlier in 2008 and emerged about 3 months later.) Following the acquisition, Vertis closed printing plants in Baltimore, Chicago, San Antonio, and Sylacauga, Alabama, to streamline its operations.

In 2009 CEO Mike DuBose was replaced by Quincy Allen, a 25-year veteran of Xerox Corporation. Allen, however, stepped down as CEO shortly after the company's emergence from bankruptcy.