News America Buys AdStick Manufacturer

Alpine Promotions, the San Diego-based manufacturer of AdStick, an advertising divider used to separate grocery purchases at checkout, has been acquired by New York consumer promotion firm News America Marketing for an undisclosed amount. Alpine launched AdStick in 1995, selling space in monthly increments to clients such as Touchstone Pictures and Nestle. The so-called mini-billboard is now in 300,000 grocery stores nationwide.