Gallagher Affinity

What Gallagher Affinity does

Gallagher Affinity (legal entity: Meridian One Corporation) is an affinity marketing and member benefit program administrator founded in 1986 and acquired by Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE: AJG) in November 2018. The company operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary within AJG's North American Affinity Operations unit, headquartered at 2850 Golf Road, Rolling Meadows, Illinois, with an additional office in Alexandria, Virginia. Its core business is building and managing portfolios of supplier-discount programs for professional and trade associations across the United States and Canada, currently serving 500-600 association partners and reaching more than 5 million association members.

The product portfolio consists of co-branded supplier programs (UPS shipping, ODP Business Solutions office supplies, Lenovo and HP technology, Avis and Budget car rentals, YRC Freight and Coyote LTL shipping, The UPS Store print services, UPS Capital parcel insurance, Heartland financial technology, and TSYS payment processing) alongside proprietary services: the 1-800-MEMBERS call center, MemberIQ member outreach and data management, Member Benefit Portfolio Management, Tradeshow Shipping Logistics, and Thought Leader Resources. The underlying technology is operations-focused rather than AI-driven, relying on call center infrastructure, member data management tools, and partner integrations.

Revenue is generated through an affiliate/referral commission model in which suppliers pay Gallagher Affinity for access to association member bases, supplemented by program administration fees from associations. Associations receive non-dues revenue and members receive discounts; suppliers gain targeted industry reach. The go-to-market is exclusively B2B partnership-driven, with no direct-to-consumer sales. Gallagher Affinity does not publicly disclose pricing or standalone revenue, operating as a small, specialized segment within the much larger AJG insurance brokerage parent.

Name

Gallagher Affinity

Legal name

Meridian One Corporation

Website

https://meridianone.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Gallagher Affinity is a subsidiary of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. that administers affinity member benefit programs (shipping, technology, office supplies, car rentals, insurance) for 600+ trade and professional associations across the U.S. and Canada, reaching 5 million+ members.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Affinity Marketing and Member Benefit Administration

NAICS

All Other Business Support Services (561499), Health and Welfare Funds (525120)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Affinity, Membership & Association Referral Programs (FSAEAMAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Employee Benefits Brokerage & Consulting (FSAEADAC), Procurement Helpdesk & Stakeholder Support (BPAAAJAD)

Keywords

• Affinity marketing programs
• Member benefit administration
• Association member services
• Supplier partnership programs
• Non-dues revenue solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Rolling Meadows

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Affinity Marketing / Member Benefit Administration: Gallagher Affinity generates revenue by administering member benefit programs for associations. The company partners with suppliers who pay commissions or fees for access to association member bases. Associations receive non-dues revenue while members receive discounts and benefits.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Gallagher Affinity administers and operates member benefit discount programs on behalf of professional and trade associations. It contracts with major suppliers (UPS, ODP Business Solutions, Lenovo, HP, Avis, Budget, YRC Freight, Heartland, UPS Capital, TSYS) and makes those discounted products and services available to association members through association partner channels. Supporting services include a member support call center (1-800-MEMBERS), member outreach (MemberIQ), portfolio management, and tradeshow shipping logistics.

Product overview

Gallagher Affinity is an affinity-based member benefits company offering a portfolio of supplier partnership programs and member services. The core offering consists of discount programs with major suppliers (UPS, ODP Business Solutions, Lenovo, HP, Avis, Budget, YRC Freight, Heartland, and others) that associations can offer to their members as benefit programs. Supporting services include: 1-800-MEMBERS call center for customer support, Member Benefit Portfolio Management for portfolio assessment and oversight, Member IQ for member outreach and engagement, Thought Leader Resources for conference speakers, and Tradeshow Shipping Logistics for event shipping support. The company was formerly known as Meridian One Corporation and was acquired by Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. in 2018.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MemberIQ: A results-oriented outreach program that helps associations and corporations target, sign, and engage new members; renew relationships with existing members; update member data; and conduct surveys and research.
• 1-800-MEMBERS

Products and services

• UPS Program Partnership program offering Gallagher Affinity association members special discounts on UPS air, ground, and international shipping services, along with UPS Freight services for heavyweight shipments over 150 lbs. Available in the United States and Canada with no minimum shipping requirements.
• ODP Business Solutions Program Formerly the Office Depot Business Solutions Division. Provides technology, office supplies, facilities products, furniture, and business services (copy, print, mailing, shipping) to association members via a B2B-focused program. Orderable by phone, fax, online, or in-store across 57 countries.
• UPS Capital Insurance Program Financial services program offering flexible parcel insurance to protect against loss or damage to goods in transit, with member-only rates covering the full sales price of goods. Coverage available for members in the United States.
• Lenovo Program Technology discount program offering association members up to 30% off everyday public web prices on Lenovo products including laptops, tablets, desktops, all-in-ones, workstations, servers, and accessories, plus free ground shipping. Program available in the United States and Canada.
• The UPS Store Program Print and business services discount program offering members special discounts on print products (copies, flyers, brochures, reports, newsletters) and finishing services at The UPS Store's 4,600+ U.S. franchised locations.
• Heartland Financial Technology Program Financial technology program providing services to help make money, move money, manage employees, and engage with customers, serving over 750,000 Heartland customers. Offered to association members through the Gallagher Affinity platform.
• Avis Car Rental Program Vehicle rental discount program offering association members up to 25% off Avis base rates, plus dollars-off deals, complimentary upgrades, or free weekend days, and complimentary Avis Preferred membership. Available in the United States and Canada with worldwide usage at approximately 5,450 Avis locations in 165+ countries.
• Budget Car Rental Program Vehicle rental discount program offering association members up to 25% off Budget base rates, plus dollars-off deals, complimentary upgrades, or free weekend days, and complimentary Budget Fastbreak membership. Available in the United States and Canada with worldwide usage at approximately 3,350 Budget locations in 120+ countries.
• HP Savings Program Technology discount program providing association members access to substantial discounts on HP products and services through a specialized online PC store, with HP handling customer inquiries, purchases, delivery, and billing.
• YRC Freight Program Heavyweight freight shipping program offering association members at least 30% savings on less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments over 150 lbs throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico via YRC Freight's comprehensive LTL network.
• Coyote Truckload and Transportation Management Services Program Transportation services program offering truckload, intermodal, and cross-border brokerage and transportation management services, leveraging Coyote's access to UPS rail asset utilization, air freight, customs brokerage, and global freight forwarding. Operating as a UPS company since August 2015.
• TSYS Merchant Processing Program Merchant processing program offering association members access to electronic payment solutions with reliable reporting and seamless integration, provided by TSYS.
• 1-800-MEMBERS Call Center Highly trained in-house call center team handling member inquiries, enrollment, and support across business development, customer care, and freight teams for association member benefit programs.
• Member Benefit Portfolio Management Full-service management offering for associations to assess, build, monitor, and enhance their member benefit portfolios with single-source expertise and improved visibility.
• MemberIQ Results-oriented outreach program helping associations and corporations target and engage new members, renew relationships with existing members, update member data, conduct surveys and research, and promote benefits to increase awareness.
• Tradeshow Shipping Logistics Comprehensive shipping support for tradeshows including access to multiple carriers, shipments to advance warehouses or show sites, guaranteed services, and special tradeshow per-100lb rates.
• Thought Leader Resources Access to informed opinion leaders who can assist with conference and event main-stage needs, providing inspiration and forward-thinking ideas through partner connections.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 30% discount on Lenovo technology products
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• UPS and UPS FreightcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerUPS is a global leader in logistics offering transportation of packages and freight. Through the UPS program, association partners offer members special discounts on air, ground, and international services. Members can save on heavyweight shipments over 150 lbs with UPS Freight. The program is available in the United States and Canada with no minimum shipping requirements.
• UPS CapitalcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerUPS Capital offers financial services including insurance programs to protect against loss or damage to goods in transit. Members receive flexible parcel insurance covering the full sales price of goods and special member-only rates. Coverage available for members in the United States.
• ODP Business Solutions (formerly Office Depot)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerA leading global provider of product services and solutions including technology, core office supplies, facilities products, furniture, and school essentials. Serves consumers and businesses in 57 countries with more than 2,000 retail stores and award-winning e-commerce sites. Members can order via phone, fax, online, or in-store.
• LenovocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe #1 PC manufacturer globally develops, produces, and markets reliable technology products. Members receive up to 30% off everyday public web prices on technology products including laptops, tablets, desktops, all-in-ones, workstations, servers, and accessories, plus free ground shipping. Program available in the United States and Canada.
• The UPS StoreminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe world's largest franchisor of retail shipping, postal, printing, and business service centers with over 4,600 independently owned locations in the U.S. Offers members special discounts on print products such as copies, flyers, brochures, reports, newsletters, and finishing services.
• HeartlandcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerA complete technology solution for growing small businesses delivering financial technology. Offers solutions to help make money, move money, manage employees, and engage with customers. Has over 750,000 customers. Through the partnership, Gallagher offers access to financial technology services.
• AviscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOne of the world's best-known car rental brands with approximately 5,450 locations in more than 165 countries. Members can save up to 25% off Avis base rates plus other offers like dollars off, complimentary upgrades, or free weekend days. Includes complimentary Avis Preferred membership. Available in the United States and Canada with worldwide usage.
• BudgetcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOne of the world's best-known car rental brands with approximately 3,350 locations in more than 120 countries. Members can save up to 25% off Budget base rates plus other deals like dollars off, complimentary upgrades, or free weekend days. Includes complimentary Budget Fastbreak membership. Available in the United States and Canada with worldwide usage.
• HPcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHP's vision is to create technology that makes life better for everyone. Through the HP Savings Program, association members access substantial discounts on HP products and services through a specialized online PC store, with HP handling customer inquiries, purchases, delivery, and billing.
• YRC FreightcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerYellow and Roadway have integrated to form YRC, the genuine heavyweight expert with the most comprehensive LTL network. Members receive competitive discounts on less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments. YRC offers flexible, efficient solutions including regional and national coverage with a full suite of guaranteed, expedited, and specialized services. Members can save at least 30% on LTL shipments over 150 lbs throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
• Coyote Truckload, Intermodal, and Transportation Management ServicesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCoyote provides truckload, intermodal, and cross-border brokerage and transportation management services to more than 14,000 shippers. Became a UPS company in August 2015, gaining access to the largest asset fleet in the country and adding UPS rail asset utilization, air freight, customs brokerage, and global freight forwarding to its portfolio.
• TSYSminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTSYS is a merchant processor providing electronic payment solutions. The partnership offers association members access to merchant processing services with reliable reporting and seamless integration.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• ASAE (American Society of Association Executives): Not-for-profit membership society for association professionals — not a competitor, but the dominant industry body whose events, publications, and member programs shape the demand environment for affinity intermediaries like Gallagher Affinity.

Broad incumbents

• Hub International: Large insurance brokerage with affinity and association member benefit offerings. Operates a comparable model at scale but across a much broader product set than Gallagher Affinity's specialized focus.
• Brown & Brown: Large diversified insurance brokerage with affinity and association-focused practices. Comparable as a broader incumbent with member benefit capabilities, though most of its revenue comes from commercial brokerage lines.
• USI Insurance Services: Large property/casualty and employee benefits broker with affinity practice serving associations and member-based organizations. Comparable end market but much broader service portfolio.
• Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Gallagher Affinity's parent company and the broader global insurance brokerage platform. AJG encompasses Gallagher Affinity within its much larger brokerage, risk management, and consulting franchise — overlapping on affinity programs but operating across many more lines of business.
• NFP (an Aon company): Specialty insurance broker (now owned by Aon) with affinity and association-focused practices offering member benefits and insurance solutions. Overlaps with Gallagher Affinity in target customers and delivery model.

Direct peers

• Aon Affinity: Aon's dedicated affinity practice designs, markets, and administers insurance and non-insurance member benefit programs for professional associations and affinity groups. Directly comparable in business model — commission-based supplier partnerships delivered through association channels.
• Association Member Benefits Advisors (AMBA): Specialist affinity benefits provider serving educational, governmental, and professional associations with insurance and supplemental member benefits. Closely comparable niche focus on association member benefit administration.
• Lockton Affinity: Lockton operates an affinity practice that creates and administers insurance and member benefit programs for associations, franchises, and other member groups. Comparable in targeting associations with bundled member benefits.
• Marsh Affinity: Marsh's affinity practice builds and administers member benefit programs (primarily insurance) for associations, alumni groups, and other member organizations. Closely aligned with Gallagher Affinity's association-channel, supplier-partner-driven model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/meridianone
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCOqDBeGgSJF8H8pJwXgJueA
• Facebookfacebook.com/GMSGallagher?pnref=lhc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gallagheraffinity

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Gallagher Affinity