Vistra acquires Marketing Associates
Vistra Communications LLC, with two offices in Lutz, acquired Tampa-based Marketing Associates USA, according to a news release from Vistra.
Marketing Associates is an award-winning marketing, promotional and branding agency specializing in strategies and services for major corporations and federal agencies.
Vistra, with headquarters in Tampa, serves corporate, government and nonprofit clients. Two of its offices are in Lutz, at 15961 N. Florida Ave., Suite C, and 18315 U.S. 41.
“This acquisition is part of our long-term strategy of growing our large corporate client portfolio, while extending our government services,” Brian Butler, Vistra president and chief operating officer, said in the release.
The merger became effective Jan. 2 on the 40th anniversary of the founding of Marketing Associates by Jeff Darrey, the company’s president.
Marketing Associates USA has been renamed Marketing Associates – A Division of Vistra. Marketing Associates staff members now are Vistra team members.
Butler and Darrey met while discussing their shared interest in Trinity Cafe, a nonprofit restaurant in Tampa that has served more than 1.3 million meals to the homeless.
Darrey is chairman of Trinity Café’s board, and its founding director.
Butler founded Vistra in 2007 after serving in the United States Army. His agency has about 70 employees.
Vistra was the 2016 Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business of the Year in the 21-50 employee category.
Optimal Performance
Optimal Performance & Physical Therapies is a new clinic in Wesley Chapel, at 26830 Ridgebrook Drive, Unit 102.
Office hours are Monday and Wednesday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The clinic’s services include injury rehabilitation, sports medicine/sports injury rehabilitation, joint replacement rehabilitation, pre/post operative physical therapy, and sports specific strength and conditioning programs.
Staff members are Clinic Manager Paul Frizelle and physical therapist Julie Tellefsen.
Optimal Performance is a private physical and occupational therapist-owned group of outpatient rehabilitation clinics. The company operates 13 facilities in the Tampa Bay area, with patients from Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.
For information, call (813) 345-4915, or visit TheOPPT.com.
Women-n-Charge
Join Women-n-Charge Feb. 2 from 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Pebble Creek Club, 10550 Regents Park Drive in New Tampa.
The women share talents and resources, and build relationships with other women in business.
Guest speaker will be Liza Marie Garcia, of NOW SC PRESS, who will talk about “Perfecting Your Pitch.”
Please note the new costs are $15 for members and $18 for guests who RSVP by Tuesday prior to the meeting. Afterward, the cost is $20 for members and $23 for guests.
Register at Women-n-charge.com/meetings/.
For information, call (813) 600-9848, or email .
Networking breakfast
The Wednesday Morning Network Group will meet Feb. 7 at 7:30 a.m., at Hungry Harry’s Family Bar-B-Que, at 3116 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.
Each attendee will be able to present a 30-second pitch. The cost is $7 for members, if preregistered by Feb. 1; or $10 for members and non-members at the door.
Register online at CentralPascoChamber.com.
For information, call the chamber at (813) 909-2722, or email .
BNI breakfast
Business Network International, or BNI, will have a kick-off breakfast for the new Land O’ Lakes chapter Feb. 7 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., at Plantation Palms Golf Club, 23253 Plantation Palms Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.
BNI is a networking organization with more than 8,000 chapters worldwide.
The kick-off breakfast is an opportunity for the area business community to find out about BNI.
Seating is limited.
For information and to RSVP, call Joey Zani at (813) 948-3584.
North Tampa luncheon
The North Tampa Chamber of Commerce will have its February 2018 Momentum Thursday on Feb. 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at St. Joseph’s John Knox Village, at 4100 E. Fletcher Ave., in Tampa.
Guest speaker will be Clinton W. Babcock of Sandler Training.
For early bird registration, RSVP online with credit card or to the chamber office at by 5 p.m., Feb. 7, at the discounted rate of $15 (whether you eat or not).
After that date, the cost is $20 (whether you eat or not), payable at the door by cash, check or credit card.
For information, call the chamber at (813) 563-0180, or visit NorthTampaChamber.com.
