Valassis Promotes Cali Tran to CEO, Leading Next Phase of Growth

Proven Leader to Accelerate Data-Driven and Digital Marketing Solutions that Connect Businesses with Consumers

Valassis, the leader in marketing technology and consumer engagement, announced the promotion of Cali Tran to president and CEO. Tran will lead Valassis’ growth strategy and go-to-market execution to transform the ways brands connect with consumers and drive the company’s continued success in digital media and marketing.

“Valassis is a proven leader in marketing technology and services that is trusted by Fortune 500 brands for uniquely influencing consumer purchase behaviors by delivering scalable, targeted media campaigns reinforced with real-time, measurable performance”

Valassis, a Harland Clarke Holdings company, evolved from its print-based direct marketing roots to become the leader in marketing and media technology – today working with more than 60,000 customers to create demand and turn intent into action. For the past six years, Tran has been instrumental in the company’s evolution. Following his promotion to president in January 2019, Tran led organizational alignment and strengthened the company’s data-driven solutions, while identifying and expanding new growth opportunities.

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“Valassis is a proven leader in marketing technology and services that is trusted by Fortune 500 brands for uniquely influencing consumer purchase behaviors by delivering scalable, targeted media campaigns reinforced with real-time, measurable performance,” said John O’Malley, CEO, Harland Clarke Holdings. “Cali’s progressive and dynamic leadership style will continue to drive our innovative culture, build customer-centric solutions and meet the diversified omnichannel needs of our clients. Cali has proven success in leading our strong talent base and data-driven, technology-forward assets to accelerate profitable growth.”

“I am incredibly excited to work alongside such a talented team and lead Valassis through this phase of growth. Together, we will deliver on our commitments to clients, associates and investors,” Tran said. “Empowered by decades of shopper behavioral data and a portfolio of patented technologies, we engage consumers at critical shopping moments to help them save money while driving incremental revenue for our valuable clients. I have great confidence in our team who is deeply committed to our company’s purpose and evolution.”

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In 2014, Tran was named president of Valassis Digital and led the division through an exceptional trajectory of consistent profitable growth through organic initiatives and strategic acquisitions. Under his leadership, the Digital division revenue grew nearly fourfold from 2014-2018. Prior to Valassis, Tran served as the senior vice president of technology and business development at MacAndrews & Forbes, the parent company of Harland Clarke Holdings.

Earlier in his career, he was a principal at North Bridge Venture and Growth Equity Partners, where he invested in wireless and digital media technology entrepreneurs. He is also a founder and investor in technology-driven, high-potential innovative companies. Tran’s active and past portfolio includes shoe company PLAE, Adavium Medical and Ancestry, among others. Tran earned his Bachelor of Arts in history at Bowdoin College and his MBA at Harvard Business School.

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