Rapid City, SD – Fresh Produce, LLC, a marketing agency with offices in downtown Sioux Falls and Rapid City, has purchased Midwest Marketing, a long-established Rapid City agency.
Fresh Produce, founded in 2004, sees the acquisition of the 2005-founded Midwest Marketing as a strategic and complementary move in the South Dakota market.
Fresh Produce co-founder Mike Hart emphasized the value of the acquired agency. “Midwest Marketing has an incredible reputation and a talented team already in place,” Hart said. “This acquisition allows us to support their continued growth while keeping operations, leadership, and client relationships exactly where they belong, in Rapid City.”
Co-founder Ted Heeren clarified the operational structure. “We’re not merging the two agencies,” Heeren added. “Fresh Produce and Midwest Marketing will continue to operate independently under their established brands, leadership, and identities. This is a strategic acquisition of a like-minded company that shares our commitment to creativity, community, and results.”
The sale follows the decision by Midwest Marketing’s longtime owner, Dawn Claymore, to retire.
“This decision didn’t come lightly,” Claymore said. “When I considered who would be the right fit to take over the company, it was important to find someone who would invest in keeping the staff and business thriving while preserving the culture we’ve built. Fresh Produce is the perfect fit for our team, our customers, and the next chapter.”
Megan Batteen, Midwest Marketing President since 2022 and with the agency since 2010, will remain in her leadership role.
“I’m incredibly thankful for the 15 years I’ve spent working alongside Dawn,” said Batteen. “Her leadership, friendship, mentorship, and vision have shaped who I am as a professional. I’m also deeply grateful to Fresh Produce’s Mike Hart and Ted Heeren for believing in me and our team. We’re excited to continue doing what we do best, helping our clients grow.”
