OCM Promotions (asi/286671), a Detroit metro area promotional products distributor, has acquired Wyandotte, MI-based distributorship Second Step Advertising. Financial terms of the deal were not released.

Founded in 2003 by Howard Aston, OCM Promotions is a diversified firm, offering services that include promo products as well as marketing/business consulting, incentive/recognition programs, copywriting, direct mail programs, graphic design and printing, digital marketing, photography, and video solutions.

Howard Aston, OCM Promotions

Aston, owner and president of OCM, said Second Step will be a great addition to his growing company.

“Al Bates, the founder of Second Step Advertising, was a friend and well-respected colleague in the industry who dedicated himself to his clients and business for close to 46 years,” Aston said. “We look forward to continuing to provide Second Step’s clients with the quality business branding solutions they’ve relied on from Second Step, as well as introducing them to new digital, promotional and marketing solutions.”

Alexa Bates, Al’s daughter, said: “We were looking for a partner who would provide the quality of products, services and branding solutions Second Step Advertising clients received the past 46 years from my father and our team. We are pleased to announce that we found that partner in Howard and OCM Promotions.”

Aston noted that Second Step Advertising will continue to go to market under that name. Alexa Bates and a staff member from Second Step are still involved in the business on a consultant basis. OCM’s purchase focused on certain Second Steps assets and on the firm’s account list.

Al Bates passed away in late 2019 following a battle with cancer. The Detroit native was a former president and Hall of Fame member of the Michigan Promotional Products Association. He was also a member and past president of the Southern Wayne Regional Chamber of Commerce.