The industry leader in print and marketing communications, AlphaGraphics UK, and digital marketing and e-commerce agency, Venture Stream, have entered a strategic services partnership to expand the service portfolios of both businesses, with AlphaGrahics making a minority investment in Venture Stream as part of the newly formed partnership.

Under the partnership, AlphaGraphics UK has acquired a 30 per cent shareholding in Venture Stream and going forward, Venture Stream will provide digital marketing services to AlphaGraphics’s clients to complement and expand on AlphaGraphics’s print marketing services.  

AlphaGraphics is a long-established national commercial print services business with particular expertise in specialising in delivering data-driven marketing campaigns across multiple channels, while Venture Stream is a fast-growing digital marketing and e-commerce agency, having grown to £1 million in turnover in just three years. The two businesses first began working together early this year, with Venture Stream providing digital marketing services to AlphaGraphics’s internal School Diaries business.

In an increasingly competitive marketplace, the two businesses will be uniquely positioned to offer an end-to-end range of marketing services, from innovative print campaigns to all aspects of digital marketing.

With the investment from AlphaGraphics, Venture Stream plans to invest further in its people and technology to expand its capacity and deliver a complete digital solution to help its clients’ online businesses grow. 

Vic Morgan, Managing Director at Venture Stream, says: “We’re excited to announce our partnership with AlphaGraphics, one of the few high-growth, profitable commercial printers due to their continuous investment in technology and innovation. 

“The partnership fits perfectly with Venture Stream’s view of the evolving world of marketing, which is becoming less about utilising digital marketing channels in isolation and more about how technology and an integrated marketing approach is enabling businesses to become smarter in all functions and aspects of communication. Together as partners we stand unique in the marketplace.”

AlphaGraphics currently operates out of five offices nationally and in conjunction with its investment in Venture Stream has moved its Newcastle team into Venture Stream’s office hub on Pink Lane, Newcastle. The businesses also have plans to launch joint ventures together in the coming months focused on web-to-print e-commerce solutions.

Sean Costigan, AlphaGraphics Director, says: “We’re pleased to be able to extend our partnership with Venture Stream. Vic and his management team have built a strong business with an impressive client base and the team’s result-oriented approach mirrors our philosophy with clients. 

“With our investment, we’re pleased to be backing Venture Stream and introducing our clients to a complete range of print and digital services. We feel by leveraging each other’s strengths we can truly enhance our client’s marketing campaign returns.”