(JACKSONVILLE, FL – AUGUST 3, 2017)

The Data Council, the leading provider of verified and standardized product data and images announced today that it was acquired by Advantage Solutions.

The Data Council’s IX-ONE platform is the Specialty, Natural and Organic Industry’s solution for product information. IX-ONE’s members include the industry’s leading suppliers, brokers, distributors and retailers. The Data Council will become a part of Advantage’s Digital Technology Division, which was established as one of Advantage’s future growth accelerators, focused on expanding the company’s portfolio of services and maximizing our connectivity with clients and customers through technology products and services. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The IX-ONE solution takes a 360-degree product image and captures all product attributes to create a centralized data and image exchange for suppliers to access and share their product information with trading partners. The platform captures over thirty photos and 1,000+ data points per item, including label-based claims and third-party certifications, as well as supply chain and logistic information such as weight and dimensions. Additionally, product data and images are royalty free. Members can use, post and share their information from one centralized database the industry can trust to be complete and accurate.

The Data Council will continue to operate under its current name with its leadership unchanged. IX-ONE members should expect the exact same exceptional level of innovation, service and attention they receive today.

“The importance of comprehensive product information has never been more critical to retailers and brands,” said David Cortese, President of Advantage Digital Technology. “Product content has become a key factor in selling as consumers seek transparency and details in the products they buy. The Data Council’s IX-ONE solution solves a decade’s long industry challenge of providing access to consistent product information in one place that manufacturers and retailers can leverage across the enterprise.”

Troy Benscoter, CEO of The Data Council said, “We are so excited to become part of the Advantage Digital Technology family. This partnership allows us to realize our original dream of revolutionizing the retail supply chain through the efficient collection and sharing of product information. The best part is that our members will receive the same personal attention they’ve come to expect but we now have access to the broader resources and support within the Advantage Digital Technology division to help us along our journey.”

About The Data Council
The Data Council is a leading innovator of reliable retail product information solutions.  Their IX-ONE membership-based platform provides independently verified and standardized product information to vendors, brokers, distributors, retailers and key partners in the organic, natural and specialty products industry. Their unique approach allows its members royalty-free use of all applicable data and images to run their businesses including internal systems, marketing, billing and more. They physically handle and image every product annually including capturing all available data.

About Advantage Solutions
Advantage is a leading business solutions provider committed to driving growth through winning insights and execution. Advantage’s customizable and technology-enabled sales and marketing solutions — including headquarter sales, retail merchandising, business intelligence, and a full suite of marketing services — are designed to help manufacturers and retailers across a broad range of channels drive consumer demand, increase sales, and achieve operating efficiencies. Headquartered in Irvine, CA, Advantage has offices throughout the United States and Canada and maintains a platform in select markets throughout Africa, Asia, Australia, and Europe through which it can service global needs of multi-national manufacturers.

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