Alliance Data Systems today announced that its relationship marketing subsidiary, Epsilon, has reached an agreement to acquire email communications and marketing automation provider Bigfoot Interactive. Total consideration for the transaction is expected to be $120 million. Bigfoot's annual revenues are approximately $30 million.

Bigfoot's management is expected to play a key role in Epsilon's business and expanding Alliance Data's North American loyalty marketing services, and Bigfoot's 85 full-time employees are expected to remain as part of the transaction. The deal will likely close this fall, and upon closing Bigfoot Interactive plans to be known as Epsilon Interactive; it will serve as Epsilon's interactive marketing and communications key offering.

Among the benefits that Alliance Data expects to realize from the acquisition is a stronger presence for Epsilon in both the financial and the retail verticals. Bigfoot clients include JPMorgan Chase & Co., Capital One and Discover Financial Services as well as Amazon Services, Target and Expedia.

Epsilon will now also be capable of providing large-scale, targeted email communications and marketing integration, and automation solutions.

Alliance is a provider of transaction, credit and marketing services. It acquired Epsilon in 2004.