Young America Celebrates 40th Anniversary

If you've submitted a rebate form, requested a product sample or participated in a sweepstakes at any point in the last four decades, you've likely done business with Edina, Minnesota-based Young America Corporation, which is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its founding this month.

Young America has been a leader in rebate, sweepstakes and product sample processing since 1972, and remains so today—but a lot has changed since then.

In the beginning, Young America (founded as the Dile Corporation) comprised four employees, two clients and one 19,000 square foot building that served as the combined corporate offices, warehouse and shipping facility—featuring its own post office and dedicated zip code.

One year later, the company moved from Plymouth, Minn., to Norwood Young America, Minn. Jay F. Ecklund purchased it in 1975 and its name was changed to Young America Corporation in 1977. Today, the company has four locations in two states and two countries, serves over 160 clients and runs more than 4,500 marketing programs in multiple categories and industries annually.

"The name 'Young America' is fitting not only because of its location, but also because the company is constantly being reborn as the marketing industry shifts and grows through the years," said Ecklund, who is still active with the company as a board member. "Today, we are still a leader in rebates and sampling, but we are so much more than that now."

Joe Custer, current president of Young America, said that the company has made great strides toward its goal of diversification, particularly in the last few years.

"Young America is able to use its 40 years of marketing expertise to bring new solutions into new markets," said Custer. "We are currently expanding our reach into the utilities and general manufacturing spaces, and have already done significant work in the corporate space with participant engagement offerings relating to employee recognition, channel incentives, and consumer loyalty programs."