GSI Commerce has acquired certain assets of Internet marketing agency Pepperjam, which operates an affiliate marketing network and offers search engine marketing and online media planning.


GSI moves directly into the affiliate network business with the acquisition, said Nick Pahade, president at GSI Interactive, the digital marketing services agency at GSI.


“We believe the affiliate marketing space to be a powerful and effective marketing tool,” he said. “By owning our own network, we think we can drive better innovation and additional enhancement to the industry moving forward.”


Pahade explained that GSI was also interested in acquiring Pepperjam for its affiliate network's transparency system, which provides advertisers with contact data and promotional methods.

“This is a key differentiation in the marketplace that allows advertisers to have more control over the affiliates they are working with,” he said, adding that it also “empowers affiliates to build stronger relationships with advertisers.


Pepperjam, located in Wilkes-Barre, PA, has 48 employees. It will operate as a separate business unit of GSI Interactive. In April, GSI Interactive acquired Silverlign Group, an integrated marketing strategy and design agency.