HOFFMAN COMMUNICATIONS BUYS JUNTUNEN GROUP

Hoffman Communications purchased Juntunen Group, a 21-year-old Minneapolis audiovisual production company and its healthcare division, MedCentrus Marketing and Education. Employees and business from Juntunen Group and MedCentrus will be integrated into the Hoffman Communications operations in Minneapolis, MN.

Hoffman Communications was started in 1988 and is owned by Mark Hoffman. The company has specialized in producing and staging corporate meetings and events as well as video production. Juntunen Group was owned by William (Bill) and Michelle Juntunen. Bill started the company in 1984, providing services to produce corporate communications and training programs on video and producing meetings and events. As the Internet and interactive communications grew, the company incorporated development on CD-ROM, DVD, and the web into its portfolio of services.

“This purchase and combining of skills and expertise is an excellent benefit for our clients,” remarked Hoffman. “I find that clients today are searching for a company that understands their strategy and can offer a vertically integrated set of communication solutions and the creativity to shape and deliver their key message,” he said. “And more clients need cross-platform capabilities. The alternative is finding a boutique service that offers only one specialty, and our clients just don’t have time for that anymore,” he added.

MedCentrus Marketing and Education, the division headed by Michelle Juntunen that serves medical device, pharmaceutical, and healthcare organizations, will continue to serve those types of clients with marketing and educational programs. Michelle Juntunen, President of MedCentrus, will continue with the division under the Hoffman banner.

In May of 2005, Hoffman acquired Audio Visual & Film Group (AVFG). With the added capabilities and technologies of AVFG, Hoffman expanded the size, scope, and number of events it can support. Even with this growth, the Hoffman/AVFG philosophy remained the same: to provide excellent service and quality with every project. Meetings that range from 20 to 20,000 attendees all receive the best talent and the best equipment.

In an effort to help corporations reduce expenses relating to marketing and sales events, Hoffman has developed a project model that handles every aspect of an event. All creative staff, production, staging equipment, personnel, and project management staff are under one roof. This model allows Hoffman to manage costs, control the process, and provide a unified effort from concept through completion.

Combining the creative talents and production services of all three companies under the Hoffman banner provides a new level of service available for corporate communications, advertising agencies, corporate meetings, and event planners.

“This was a perfect merger of companies with very complementary skills and needs,” commented Bill Juntunen. “I am very excited that Mark and I were able to come to an agreement that would benefit our employees and clients so well.”

During the month of January, Hoffman and Juntunen employees will be merging into Hoffman’s facility. This combined organization will have 40 employees, making Hoffman the largest integrated provider of audiovisual services in this region. Details related to the purchase price of this private business deal will not be revealed.