Top 40 distributor Axis Promotions (asi/128263) revealed Monday that it has acquired Philadelphia-based Campus Stop (asi/336407), an online provider of branded merchandise to colleges and universities. Financial terms of the deal were not released.

Axis executives said that the acquisition strengthens the New York City-based distributorship’s web presence in the promo industry’s largest market – education. Synergies on design, creativity and technology between Axis and Campus Stop will lead to a powerful value proposition for end-buyers, executives said. 

“As an industry-leader in e-commerce technology and online stores, we look forward to bringing our resources and creativity to the education industry as the corporate parent to Campus Stop,” said Axis Promotions President Larry Cohen (pictured on the left). “By pairing Campus Stop’s color match technology, we will provide colleges and universities with an easy-to-use solution for finding the best promotional merchandise.”

Currently, Campus Stop has more than 700 colleges and universities throughout the United States as clients. Customers include Princeton University, Penn State, Stanford University and Texas A&M. These institutions rely on Campus Stop’s online platform as the source for merchandise to promote school spirit, their athletic teams, campus recruiting and more.

According to Axis, users of Campus Stop can expect an expanded product line and online enhancements like real-time ordering. All company contact information – including email, website address and phone number – will remain the same through the transition. Campus Stop will continue going to market under its name and current ASI number. “Within the next 60 days, we plan on opening our own office in Philadelphia for Axis and the Campus Stop team,” Cohen told Counselor. “We are excited about the opportunity for both companies in this marketplace.”

Cohen said that the operation side of Campus Stop will be “Powered by Axis,” and that sales and marketing will be led by Rob Watson, Axis’ chief marketing officer. The Campus Stop team will be staying in place. “They’re a talented group and we’re excited to welcome them to Axis,” said Cohen.

Rob Watson, Chief Marketing Officer for Axis Promotions.

With reported 2017 North American promotional product revenue of $50.5 million, Axis Promotions ranked 34^th on Counselor’s most recent list of the largest distributors in the industry.