Ahold's ItemMaster, Brandbank Form Partnership

SKOKIE, Ill. — ItemMaster, the digital brand image and content provider created by Ahold USA's Peapod division here, has formed a partnership with Brandbank, a United Kingdom-based counterpart.

The companies said they would share commercial and technical capabilities to create a global service that will seek to provide product content for retailers, manufacturers and brand owners.

"With the importance of accurate and engaging product content growing exponentially, this alliance will give brands the ability to create, manage and distribute shopper marketing content anywhere in the world consistently and quickly, the way that suits them and their partners,” Rob Tarrant, chief executive officer of Brandbank, said. “Being able to make great content available is critical in today's omni-channel world. Brandbank and ItemMaster share a vision to help brand owners deliver a better experience to shoppers at all touch points.”

ItemMaster was founded by Ahold USA in 2009 as a means to produce and distribute product photographs and content information for branded goods sold and displayed digitally, including at Ahold's Peapod e-grocery division.