Jan. 24, 2023

Sioux Falls-based marketing firm 44i Inc. has added three partners.

Founder and owner James Lather, who started the business in 2002 as JamesDugan, has brought in Darren Kuyper, Jon Peterson and Travis Quam as partners.

Lather remains involved in the day-to-day activities of firm but plans to focus on white label digital partner training and financial oversight, the firm said in a statement.

“I’ve had 20 years of sole ownership of 44i, and it’s always been clear to me that we wouldn’t and couldn’t be the successful company we are today without the key personnel that have been by my side for the majority of that time, as well as our entire outstanding team,” Lather said. “I’m extremely proud of these gentlemen and what 44i has achieved over the years, and it’s due to our incredible group of skilled, forward-thinking and hardworking management team and staff.”

JamesDugan added the digital marketing arm, 44 Interactive, in 2008 and merged the two companies in 2018 under the name 44i.