The Link Companies acquires Next Gen Dallas

The acquisition expands the company’s Central U.S. coverage.

From left: Fred Ballard, Kim Pounds, Fred Rosenkampff

The Link Companies

The Link Companies, a national sales agency serving the gift, home and lifestyle industries, has acquired Next Gen Dallas, a sales agency representing the Central U.S. market. The transaction formalizes a longstanding working relationship between the two organizations, bringing together shared values, aligned cultures and a common commitment to relationship-driven, road-based sales in support of retailers.

Through the acquisition, The Link Companies expands its coverage into six additional states: Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas. The company says its expanded presence into a total of 42 states enables greater consistency, continuity and local market support for vendors and retailers alike.

Warmies is one of the brands represented in the Next Gen Dallas showroom.

The Link Companies

Both organizations share that they have a strong road-first philosophy. With the addition of the Next Gen Dallas team, The Link Companies’ field sales organization will grow to 12 road-based sales professionals serving retailers across the company’s regions, along with 13 key sales representatives dedicated to national accounts. The agencies already collaborate across several shared brands, including California Mango, Cape Diablo, Grace+Emma, Inis, Maya J, Old World Christmas, Periwinkle, Queens Designs, Regal Art & Gift, Sincere Surroundings, Southern Couture, Tall Tails, Twine, Warmies and World’s Softest Socks.

Next Gen Dallas plans to continue operating under its established name and leadership. Kim Pounds will remain president of Next Gen Dallas, guiding the agency forward.

“Joining The Link Companies allows us to expand our resources while preserving the independence, culture and relationships that define Next Gen Dallas,” says Pound. “Their employee-owned structure aligns closely with our long-term view of serving retailers and vendor partners with consistency and care.”

The Link Companies and Next Gen Dallas have worked collaboratively for many years. The companies say formalizing the relationship enhances continuity for vendors, strengthens sales support for retailers and reinforces the relationship-based approach that has been key for both organizations.

“This partnership reflects a shared commitment to people, relationships and long-term service to the marketplace,” says Fred Rosenkampff, chief financial officer of The Link Companies. “As a 100% employee-owned company, we are built to think beyond short-term cycles and to invest in stability for our people, our vendors and our retailers. Kim and her team share that mindset, which makes this a natural fit.”

The Link Companies operates as the umbrella organization for 10 distinct sales agencies, including The Southern Link, Link 2 Sales, The Mid-Atlantic Link, The Northern Link, The Central Link, Rocky Mountain Link, Salesmark, Total Accessories, Key Sales and now Next Gen Dallas. The Link Companies says each agency maintains its own leadership and regional focus, while benefiting from shared governance, resources and culture.