Every chapter has shaped the company we are today. From our roots in education marketing to the focused businesses we operate now, our history is one of continuous learning, thoughtful pivots, and long-term commitment to the industries we serve.
Plattform Advertising
We were founded as PlattForm Advertising, a pioneer in higher-education marketing, including direct response marketing.
As online marketing became an industry, we grew alongside it, developing expertise in digital media.
In this era, we received private equity investment from Arlington Capital Partners to accelerate growth via acquisitions.
We launched an internal sales call center operation for lead generation and acquired niche businesses within the cosmetology and trucking categories.
KEYPATH EDUCATION
Rebranded to Keypath Education, we scaled to become a leader in postsecondary education marketing, with 700+ employees in 4 countries.
We built a best-in-class call center with 300+ employees and contractors handing inbound and outbound calling.
The company sold from Arlington Capital Partners to Sterling Partners as our private equity partner.
THRULINE MARKETING
We rebranded again to Thruline Marketing and sold to Oaktree Capital Management as private equity partners.
We initiated a series of divestitures to maximize returns from the postsecondary education business and return our focus to skilled vocational career verticals.
We completed the divestiture of 90% of company assets while retaining key operating employees.
In this stage, we also acquired the startup Premier Nursing Academy to enter the healthcare training and staffing employment vertical.
Owner-Operated
Mike McHugh and Justin Gill buy out private equity partners and take over company ownership.
Thruline Marketing is transformed into a management company with oversight of specialized recruitment businesses in beauty, healthcare, and trucking verticals.
We divest Premier Nursing Academy to focus on growth within transportation employment vertical, scaling Transportation Marketing Group to a leadership position within the trucking industry.
We facilitate the acquisition of Ramsey MediaWorks to merge with Transportation Marketing Group to create a leader in the driver recruitment business.
The names have changed more than the approach has. For decades we’ve done the same thing better each time — know a few industries deeply, stay close to the work, and build for the long term.