A-B sells marketing unit - Anheuser-Busch Cos. has sold Busch Creative Services Corp to managers - Brief Article

Modern Brewery Age, Oct 21, 2002

Anheuser-Busch Cos. has sold Busch Creative Services Corp., the brewer's business communications firm, to a trio of the unit's executives for an undisclosed amount. It will now be called the Spark Agency.

The buyers of Busch Creative Services are Michael P. O'Neill, John K. Nickel and Kevin J. Quigley. O'Neill is chief executive and partner of the Spark Agency, Nickel is president and partner, and Quigley is executive vice president and partner.

Anheuser-Busch didn't disclose the terms of the deal.

As part of the sales agreement, Anheuser-Busch will continue using the Spark Agency and will give it new business for an undisclosed period. In addition, Spark Agency will maintain its current client roster.

Busch Creative Services provides marketing for Anheuser-Busch and other clients, including Citigroup Inc.'s Primerica Financial Services, Coca-Cola Co., Alberto-Culver Co., Deere & Co. and Motorola.