In a major consolidation within the couponing and direct mail industries, Valassis Thursday announced an agreement to acquire ADVO in a deal valued at about $1.3 billion, including $125 million in
ADVO debt. The deal will create the nation's largest player in the consumer promotion and coupon field, forming a marketing services company serving 20,000 advertisers worldwide, including 94 of the
top 100 advertisers in the United States.
