Straight North in Downers Grove acquires N.C.-based SEO firm

Internet marketing agency Straight North LLC of Downers Grove said it has acquired Ephricon Web Marketing, a Charlotte, N.C.-based SEO firm.

Terms of the acquisition were not announced.

Jon Payne, president and founder of Ephricon, will join Straight North's leadership team as vice president of marketing services & general manager, Charlotte office.

“This is a significant step in our aggressive growth strategy,” said Straight North CEO David Duerr. “Our acquisition of Ephricon expands our geographic footprint and adds greater depth to our SEO services for middle market B2B firms. Jon Payne is a highly regarded SEO expert and trailblazer. We're thrilled to have him and his entire team on board.”

Straight North will maintain Ephricon's office in Charlotte, and Ephricon clients will benefit from the acquisition in a variety of ways, the company said in a release.

“As a Straight North company, we are now better positioned to provide not only SEO, but also other important Internet marketing services such as email marketing and paid search,” said Payne. “Also, we look forward to integrating Straight North's sophisticated operational processes, as they will bring even greater efficiency and value to our clients.”

It is the fourth acquisition by the Downers Grove-based company. In 2008, Straight North acquired Duffy Design Works, a middle market graphic design firm founded in 1996. In 2009, it acquired Whoast Inc., a growing search engine marketing firm, and in 2010, Word Sell, Inc., a social media marketing and content development consultancy.