Columbia-based marketing agency Merkle Inc. has acquired Metzner Schneider Associates, a loyalty marketing firm, for an undisclosed amount, the companies said Monday. The acquisition will allow Merkle to double the size of its marketing strategy consulting group from 35 employees to about 70 employees in the next year. The principals and founders of Dallas-based Metzner Schneider will lead a new practice group for Merkle that will develop customer loyalty programs for clients. Merkle has 1,000 employees, offices in Boston, Chicago, Denver, Little Rock, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, Seattle and Hagerstown and clients including Dell, Samsung and GEICO. Metzner Schneider has worked with clients such as Sears Holding Corp., Marriott International, Hewlett Packard, Continental Airlines and Warner Bros. Studios.

- Lorraine Mirabella