Document:

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                                                                   Exhibit 10.48

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                        MARKETING SPECIALISTS CORPORATION

                            PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE
                                    AGREEMENT

                           DATED AS OF MARCH 28, 2001

                                9, 000 SHARES OF
                    CONVERTIBLE PAID-IN-KIND PREFERRED STOCK

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                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                           PAGE

1.   PURCHASE AND SALE OF PREFERRED STOCK.....................................1
              1.1.     Authorization of Preferred Stock.......................1
              1.2.     Purchase Price and Closing.............................1
              1.3.     Use of Proceeds........................................2

2.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY............................2
              2.1.     Organization, Standing and Power.......................2
              2.2.     Authority..............................................2
              2.3.     Enforceability.........................................2
              2.4.     Valid Issuance.........................................2
              2.5.     Capitalization.........................................3
              2.6.     No Violation...........................................3
              2.7.     Reports and Financial Statements.......................3
              2.8.     Litigation.............................................3
              2.9.     Registration Rights Agreement..........................4

3.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASER..........................4
              3.1.     Authorization..........................................4
              3.2.     Purchase for Own Account...............................4
              3.3.     Disclosure of Information..............................4
              3.4.     Investment Experience..................................4
              3.5.     Accredited Investor Status.............................5
              3.6.     Restricted Securities..................................5
              3.7.     Governmental Consents..................................5
              3.8.     Further Limitations on Disposition.....................5
              3.9.     Legends................................................5

4.   CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE PURCHASER'S OBLIGATIONS......................6
              4.1.     Representations and Warranties.........................6

5.   DEFINITIONS..............................................................6

6.   INDEMNIFICATION..........................................................7
              6.1.     General Indemnity......................................7
              6.2.     Indemnification Procedure..............................8
              6.3.     Indemnification Limitations............................8

7.   MISCELLANEOUS............................................................9

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              7.1.     No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies.........................9
              7.2.     HSR....................................................9
              7.3.     Amendments, Waivers and Consents.......................9
              7.4.     Notices................................................9
              7.5.     Binding Effect; Assignment............................10
              7.6.     Survival of Representations and Warranties............10
              7.7.     Severability..........................................10
              7.8.     Governing Law.........................................11
              7.9.     Headings..............................................11
              7.10.    Counterparts..........................................11
              7.11.    Closing Condition Waivers.............................11

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                       PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

     THIS PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is dated this
28th day of March, 2001, by and between Marketing Specialists Corporation, a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and MS Acquisition Limited, a Texas
limited partnership (the "Purchaser").

                             PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS

     A. The Purchaser is a stockholder of the Company and desires to purchase of
shares of the Company's Series C Convertible Paid-In-Kind Preferred Stock, $0.01
par value per share (the "Preferred Stock"), directly from the Company, subject
to the terms and conditions set forth herein.

     B. The Company desires to sell shares of Preferred Stock to the Purchaser,
subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, the mutual promises and
agreements herein contained and for other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto
hereby agree as follows:

                             STATEMENT OF AGREEMENT

1.   PURCHASE AND SALE OF PREFERRED STOCK

     1.1. AUTHORIZATION OF PREFERRED STOCK. The Company has authorized the
issuance and sale of 9,000 shares (the "Shares") of its authorized but unissued
shares of Preferred Stock, having the rights set forth in the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Company.

     1.2. PURCHASE PRICE AND CLOSING. The Company agrees to issue and sell to
the Purchaser, and in consideration of, and in express reliance upon, the
representations, warranties, terms and conditions contained in, this Agreement,
the Purchaser agrees to purchase the Shares at a purchase price of $1,000 per
share, for an aggregate purchase price of $9,000,000. Subject to the terms and
conditions contained herein, the closing of the purchase and sale of the Shares
to be acquired by the Purchaser from the Company under this Agreement (the
"Closing") shall take place promptly upon satisfaction of all the conditions
contained in Section 4 of this Agreement shall have been satisfied or waived, or
at such other time and date as the Purchaser and the Company may agree (the
"Closing Date"), at the offices of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP,
Four Times Square, New York, NY 10036, or such other location as the parties
mutually agree. At the Closing, the Company will deliver to the Purchaser a
certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, dated the
Closing Date, (a) attesting to corporate action taken by the Company, including
resolutions of the Board of Directors authoriz-

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ing (i) the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement
and (ii) the issuance of the Shares, and (b) verifying that the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Company and the Bylaws of the Company currently on file
with the Commission are true, correct and complete as of the Closing Date. As
soon as practicable after the closing, but in any event not later than seven
business days, the Company will deliver to the Purchaser certificates evidencing
the Shares to be purchased by the Purchaser hereunder. At the Closing, Purchaser
shall deliver $9,000,000 to the Company by wire transfer of immediately
available funds.

     1.3. USE OF PROCEEDS. The Company shall use the cash proceeds from the sale
of the Shares for general corporate purposes including, without limitation,
working capital and the financing of acquisitions.

2.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

     The Company hereby represents and warrants to the Purchaser as follows:

     2.1. ORGANIZATION, STANDING AND POWER. The Company is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
Delaware, and has the requisite power and authority to own or lease its
properties and to carry on its business as presently conducted. There is no
pending or, to the Company's knowledge, threatened proceeding for the
dissolution, liquidation, insolvency or rehabilitation of the Company. The
Company's operating subsidiaries are entities duly organized, validly existing
and in good standing under the laws of each such subsidiary's state of
organization, and each has the requisite power and authority to own or lease its
properties and to carry on its business as presently conducted. There is no
pending or, to the Company's knowledge, threatened proceeding for the
dissolution, liquidation, insolvency or rehabilitation of any of the Company's
operating subsidiaries.

     2.2. AUTHORITY. The Company has all requisite corporate power and authority
to enter into this Agreement, to issue and sell the Shares and to carry out its
obligations hereunder. The issuance and sale of the Shares by the Company to the
Purchaser has been unanimously approved by an independent committee of the Board
of Directors of the Company.

     2.3. ENFORCEABILITY. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by
the Company and each constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation
enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except as the same may be
limited by the terms of this Agreement or by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of
creditors' rights generally and general equitable principles regardless of
whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity.

     2.4. VALID ISSUANCE. Upon consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby and the issuance and delivery of certificates representing the Shares to
the Purchaser, the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid, non-assessable
and, except as created by Purchaser, free of

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preemptive rights or similar rights of stockholders of the Company and free and
clear of any liens or other encumbrance.

     2.5. CAPITALIZATION. As of the date hereof, the authorized capital stock of
the Company consists of 50,000,000 shares of Common Stock, 4,000,000 shares of
Restricted Common Stock and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock. As of March 15,
2001, (i) 25,572,472 shares of Common Stock and 72,736 shares of Restricted
Common Stock were validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and non-assessable,
(ii) no shares of 8.0% Convertible Paid-In-Kind Preferred Stock were issued and
outstanding, (iii) 19, 965 shares of Series B 8.0% Convertible Paid-In-Kind
Preferred Stock, and (iv) no shares of Series C 8.0% Convertible Paid-In-Kind
Preferred Stock.

     2.6. NO VIOLATION. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the
Company, the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder and the
consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
will not (a) contravene any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or
Bylaws of the Company, (b) violate or conflict with any material law, statute,
ordinance, rule, regulation, decree, writ, injunction, judgment, ruling or order
of any governmental authority or of any arbitration award which is either
applicable to, binding upon, or enforceable against the Company, (c) conflict
with, result in any breach of, or constitute a default under, or give rise to a
right to terminate, amend, modify, abandon or accelerate, any material agreement
which is applicable to, binding upon or enforceable against the Company, (d)
result in or require the creation or imposition of any lien or other encumbrance
upon or with respect to any of the material property or assets of the Company,
(e) give to any individual or entity a right or claim against the Company, which
would have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company; or (f) require the consent,
approval, authorization or permit of, or filing with or notification to, any
governmental authority, any court or tribunal or any other person, except (i) to
the extent necessary, consents under (A) the Second Amended and Restated Credit
Agreement dated March 30, 2000, among the Company, the lenders set forth on
Schedule 1 thereto and First Union National Bank as agent for the lenders, and
(B) the Credit Agreement dated March 30, 2000 among the Company and certain of
its subsidiaries, as borrowers, the lenders named therein and The Chase
Manhattan Bank, as Agent which such consents have been obtained, (ii) pursuant
to the Exchange Act and the Securities Act and applicable inclusion requirements
of any stock exchange on which the Common Stock is listed, (iii) filings
required under the securities or blue sky laws of the various states or (iv)
filings required under the HSR Act, if any (collectively, "Required Consents").

     2.7. REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. From January 1, 1997 to the date
hereof, except where failure to have done so did not and would not have a
Material Adverse Effect on the Company, the Company (including any predecessor
entities) has filed all reports, registrations and statements, together with any
required amendments thereto, that it was required to file with the Commission,
including, but not limited to, Forms 10-K, Forms 10-Q, Forms 8-K and proxy
statements (collectively, the "Company Reports"), copies of all of which have
been

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delivered to the Purchaser. As of their respective dates (but taking into
account any amendments filed prior to the date of this Agreement), the Company
Reports complied in all material respects with all the rules and regulations
promulgated by the Commission and did not contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading.

     2.8. LITIGATION. With the exception of BROWN V. PEDERSEN, C.A. No. 18099-NC
and PARNES V. BYRD, C.A. No. 1810-NC, there is no action, suit or other legal or
administrative proceeding or governmental investigation pending, or, to the
knowledge of the Company, threatened, anticipated or contemplated against, by or
affecting the Company which questions the validity or enforceability of this
Agreement or the Registration Rights Agreement or the transactions contemplated
hereby or thereby.

     2.9. REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT. The Company acknowledges and agrees
that the Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Shares will be eligible
for registration pursuant to the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement by
and among the Purchaser, the Company and certain other parties thereto.

3.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASER

     The Purchaser hereby represents and warrants to the Company as follows:

     3.1. AUTHORIZATION. This Agreement constitutes the Purchaser's valid and
legally binding obligation, enforceable in accordance with its terms except as
may be limited by (a) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other
laws of general application relating to or affecting the enforcement of
creditors' rights generally, and (b) the effect of rules of law governing the
availability of equitable remedies. The Purchaser represents that the Purchaser
has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement.

     3.2. PURCHASE FOR OWN ACCOUNT. The Shares to be purchased by the Purchaser
hereunder shall be acquired for investment for the Purchaser's own account, not
as a nominee or agent, and not with a view to the public resale or distribution
thereof, and the Purchaser has no present intention of selling, granting any
participation in, or otherwise distributing the same. The Purchaser represents
that the Purchaser has not been formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the
Shares.

     3.3. DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION. The Purchaser has received or has had full
access to all the information it considers necessary or appropriate to make an
informed investment decision with respect to the Shares to be purchased under
this Agreement. The Purchaser further has had an opportunity to ask questions
and receive answers from the Company regarding the terms and conditions of the
offering of the Shares and to obtain additional information (to the

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extent the Company possessed such information or could acquire it without
unreasonable effort or expense) necessary to verify any information furnished to
the Purchaser or to which the Purchaser had access.

     3.4. INVESTMENT EXPERIENCE. The Purchaser understands that the purchase of
the Shares involves substantial risk. The Purchaser acknowledges that the
Purchaser is able to fend for itself, can bear the economic risk of the
Purchaser's investment in the Shares and has such knowledge and experience in
financial or business matters that the Purchaser is capable of evaluating the
merits and risks of this investment in the Shares and protecting its own
interests in connection with this investment.

     3.5. ACCREDITED INVESTOR STATUS. The Purchaser is an "accredited investor"
within the meaning of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act.

     3.6. RESTRICTED SECURITIES. The Purchaser understands that the Shares are
characterized as "restricted securities" under the Securities Act inasmuch as
they are being acquired from the Company in a transaction not involving a public
offering and that under the Securities Act and applicable regulations thereunder
such securities may be resold without registration under the Securities Act only
in certain limited circumstances. Further, the Purchaser represents that the
Purchaser is familiar with Rule 144 of the Commission, as presently in effect,
and understands the resale limitations imposed thereby and by the Securities
Act. The Purchaser understands that the Company is under no obligation to
register any of the securities sold hereunder except as provided in the
Registration Rights Agreement.

     3.7. GOVERNMENTAL CONSENTS. No filings are required to be made, or consents
to be obtained, from any governmental authority to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby except that a filing under the HSR Act will be necessary for
Purchaser to convert the Shares into Common Stock.

     3.8. FURTHER LIMITATIONS ON DISPOSITION. Without in any way limiting the
representations set forth above, the Purchaser further agrees not to make any
disposition of all or any portion of the Shares unless and until:

          (a) there is then in effect a registration statement under the
     Securities Act covering such proposed disposition and such disposition is
     made in accordance with such registration statement; or

          (b) the Purchaser shall have furnished the Company at the expense of
     the Purchaser or its transferee, with an opinion of counsel, reasonably
     satisfactory to the Company, that such disposition will not require
     registration of such securities under the Securities Act or is in
     compliance with Rule 144 of the Securities Act.

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Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraphs (a) and (b) above, no such
registration statement or opinion of counsel shall be required for any transfer
of Shares to (A) a partner of the Purchaser, (B) a retired partner of the
Purchaser who retires after the date hereof, or (C) the estate of any such
partner; PROVIDED that in each of the foregoing cases the transferee agrees in
writing to be subject to the terms of this Section 3 to the same extent as if
the transferee were an original purchaser hereunder.

     3.9. LEGENDS. It is understood that the certificates evidencing the Shares
will bear the legends set forth below:

     (a)  THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE
          SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR UNDER
          THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES, AND MAY NOT BE
          SOLD, TRANSFERRED, ASSIGNED, PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED, OR OTHERWISE
          DISPOSED OF UNLESS REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR THE COMPANY
          HAS RECEIVED AN OPINION OF COUNSEL OR OTHER EVIDENCE, SATISFACTORY TO
          IT AND ITS COUNSEL, THAT AN EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATION IS
          AVAILABLE.

     (b) Any legend imposed or required by the applicable state securities laws,
the Registration Rights Agreement or any other ancillary agreement.

4.   CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE PURCHASER'S OBLIGATIONS

     The obligation of the Purchaser to purchase the Shares is subject to the
satisfaction by the Company, or waiver by the Purchaser, on or prior to the
Closing Date, of the following conditions:

     4.1. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Each of the representations and
warranties of the Company set forth in this Agreement that is qualified as to
Material Adverse Effect or materiality shall be true and correct, and each of
the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in this Agreement
not so qualified shall be true and correct in all material respects, in each
case as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date as though made
on and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent in either case that such
representations and warranties speak as of another date).

     4.2. CONSENTS. The Company shall have obtained all necessary consent to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement under each of (a) the Second Amended
and Restated Credit Agreement dated March 30, 2000, among the Company, the
lenders set forth on Schedule 1 thereto and First Union National Bank as agent
for the lenders, and (b) the Credit Agreement dated March 30, 2000 among the
Company and certain of its subsidiaries, as borrowers, the lenders named therein
and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Agent.

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5.   DEFINITIONS

     As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following
meanings:

     "Agreement" means this Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, including all
amendments, modifications and supplements thereto.

     "Closing" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.2.

     "Closing Date" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.2.

     "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

     "Common Stock" shall mean the common stock of the Company, par value $.01
per share.

     "Company" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory
paragraph hereof.

     "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

     "HSR Act" means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976,
as amended.

     "Indemnified Party" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section
5.2.

     "Material Adverse Effect" means any material adverse effect on (a) the
business, assets, operations or financial condition of the Company and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Company to perform its
obligations under this Agreement or the Registration Rights Agreement or (c) the
binding nature, validity or enforceability of this Agreement or the Registration
Rights Agreement.

     "Purchaser" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the
introductory paragraph hereof.

     "Registration Rights Agreement" means the Registration Rights Agreement for
the RMSI Stockholders, dated as of August 18, 1999, by and among the Company,
the Purchaser and the other parties thereto.

     "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

     "Shares" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.1.

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6.   INDEMNIFICATION

     6.1. GENERAL INDEMNITY. The Company agrees to indemnify and save harmless
the Purchaser and its directors, officers, affiliates, successors and assigns
from and against any and all losses, liabilities, deficiencies, costs, damages
and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees, charges
and disbursements) incurred by the Purchaser as a result of any inaccuracy in or
breach of the representations, warranties or covenants made by the Company in
this Agreement. The Purchaser agrees to indemnify and save harmless the Company
and its directors, officers, affiliates, successors and assigns from and against
any and all losses, liabilities, deficiencies, costs, damages and expenses
(including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees, charges and
disbursements) incurred by the Company as a result of any inaccuracy in or
breach of the representations, warranties or covenants made by the Purchaser
herein.

     6.2. INDEMNIFICATION PROCEDURE. Any party entitled to indemnification under
this Section 6 (an "Indemnified Party") will give written notice to the
indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification
promptly after the discovery by such party of any matters giving rise to a claim
for indemnification; provided that the failure of any party entitled to
indemnification hereunder to give notice as provided herein shall not relieve
the indemnifying party of its obligations under this Section 6 except to the
extent that the indemnifying party is actually prejudiced by such failure to
give notice. In case any action, proceeding or claim is brought against an
Indemnified Party in respect of which indemnification is sought hereunder, the
indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate in and, unless in the
reasonable judgment of the Indemnified Party a conflict of interest between it
and the indemnifying party may exist in respect of such action, proceeding or
claim, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to
the Indemnified Party. In the event that the indemnifying party advises an
Indemnified Party that it will contest such a claim for indemnification
hereunder, or fails, within thirty (30) days of receipt of any indemnification
notice to notify, in writing, such person of its election to defend, settle or
compromise, at its sole cost and expense, any action, proceeding or claim (or
discontinues its defense at any time after it commences such defense), then the
Indemnified Party may, at its option, defend, settle or otherwise compromise or
pay such action, proceeding or claim. In any event, unless and until the
indemnifying party elects in writing to assume and does so assume the defense of
any such claim, proceeding or action, the Indemnified Party's costs and expenses
arising out of the defense, settlement or compromise of any such action,
proceeding, claim or proceeding shall be losses subject to indemnification
hereunder. The Indemnified Party shall cooperate fully with the indemnifying
party in connection with any negotiation or defense of any such action,
proceeding or claim by the indemnifying party and shall furnish to the
indemnifying party all information reasonably available to the Indemnified Party
which relates to such action, proceeding or claim. The indemnifying party shall
keep the Indemnified Party fully informed at all times as to the status of the
defense or any settlement negotiations with respect thereto. If the indemnifying

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party elects to defend any such action, proceeding or claim, then the
Indemnified Party shall be entitled to participate in such defense with counsel
of its choice at its sole cost and expense. The indemnifying party shall not be
liable for any settlement of any action, claim or proceeding effected without
its written consent, provided, however, that the indemnifying party shall not
unreasonably withhold, delay or condition its consent. Anything in this Section
6 to the contrary notwithstanding, the indemnifying party shall not, without the
Indemnified Party's prior written consent, settle or compromise any claim or
consent to entry of any judgment in respect thereof which imposes any future
obligation on the Indemnified Party or which does not include, as an
unconditional term thereof, the giving by the claimant or the plaintiff to the
Indemnified Party, a release from all liability in respect of such claim,
proceeding or action. The indemnification required by this Section 6 shall be
made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the
investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or expense, loss,
damage or liability is incurred. The indemnity agreements contained herein shall
be in addition to (a) any cause of action or similar right of the Indemnified
Party against the indemnifying party or others, and (b) any liabilities the
indemnifying party may be subject to pursuant to the law.

     6.3. INDEMNIFICATION LIMITATIONS. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Indemnified Party shall be entitled to make claims under Section 6.1 hereof only
to the extent that the aggregate amount of losses arising from such claims does
not exceed $9,000,000. Nothing contained in this Section 6.3 shall be construed
to limit the indemnification obligations afforded to any director or officer of
the Company under its organizational documents, state law or otherwise.

7.   MISCELLANEOUS

     7.1. NO WAIVER; CUMULATIVE REMEDIES. No failure or delay on the part of any
party to this Agreement in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder shall
operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any
such right, power or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or
the exercise of any other right, power or remedy thereunder. The remedies
therein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided by
law.

     7.2. HSR. If required by applicable law, each of the Purchaser and the
Company agree to cooperate in the preparation of, and file, any required
notification form pursuant to the HSR Act with respect to the acquisition by the
Purchaser of shares of the Company's Common Stock issuable to the Purchaser upon
conversion of the Preferred Stock.

     7.3. AMENDMENTS, WAIVERS AND CONSENTS. Any provisions in this Agreement to
the contrary notwithstanding, and except as hereinafter provided, changes in,
termination or amendments of or additions to this Agreement may be made, and
compliance with any provision set forth herein may be omitted or waived, if the
Company shall obtain consent thereto in writing from the Purchaser. Any waiver
or consent may be given subject to satisfaction of conditions

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stated therein and any waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific
instance and for the specific purpose for which given.

     7.4. NOTICES. All notices, requests and other communications hereunder must
be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given only if delivered
personally against written receipt or by facsimile transmission or mailed by
prepaid first class mail, return receipt requested, or mailed by overnight
courier prepaid to the parties at the following addresses or facsimile numbers.

     To the Company:               Marketing Specialists Corporation
                                   17855 N. Dallas Parkway, Suite 200
                                   Dallas, Texas  75287
                                   Attention:  Eric J. Golle
                                   Facsimile Number:  972-349-6448

              With a copy to:      Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, LLP
                                   1700 Pacific Avenue, Suite 4100
                                   Dallas, Texas 75201
                                   Attention: Alan M.  Utay
                                   Facsimile Number: 214-969-4343

     To the Purchaser:             MS Acquisition Limited
                                   17855 North Dallas Parkway
                                   Suite 200
                                   Dallas, Texas  75287
                                   Attention:  Nick Bouras
                                   Fax:  (972) 860-7584

              With a copy to:      Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
                                   4 Times Square
                                   New York, New York  10036
                                   Attention:  Eileen T. Nugent
                                   Fax:  (212) 735-2000

All such notices, requests and other communications will (i) if delivered
personally to the address as provided in this Section 7.4 be deemed given upon
delivery, (ii) if delivered by facsimile transmission to the facsimile number as
provided in this Section 7.4 be deemed given upon successful transmission, (iii)
if delivered by mail in the manner described above to the address as provided in
this Section 7.4 be deemed given upon the earlier of the third business day
following mailing or upon receipt and (iv) if delivered by overnight courier to
the address as provided in this Section 7.4 be deemed given on the earlier of
the first business day following the

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date sent by such overnight courier or upon receipt. Any party from time to time
may change its address, facsimile number or other information for the purpose of
notices to that party by giving notice specifying such change to the other
parties hereto.

     7.5. BINDING EFFECT; ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of each of the Company and the Purchaser and their
respective heirs, successors and assigns, except that the Company shall not have
the right to delegate its obligations hereunder.

     7.6. SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. All representations and
warranties made in this Agreement, or any other instrument or document delivered
in connection herewith, shall survive the execution and delivery hereof or
thereof for a period of 12 months after the date hereof.

     7.7. SEVERABILITY. The provisions of this Agreement and the terms of the
Shares are severable and, in the event that any court of competent jurisdiction
shall determine that any one or more of the provisions or part of a provision
contained in this Agreement or the terms of the Shares shall, for any reason, be
held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity,
illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or part of a
provision of this Agreement or the terms of the Shares, but this Agreement and
the terms of the Shares shall be reformed and construed as if such invalid or
illegal or unenforceable provision, or part of a provision, had never been
contained herein, and such provisions or part reformed so that it would be
valid, legal and enforceable to the maximum extent possible.

     7.8. GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE DOMESTIC LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT
TO ANY CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICT OF LAW PROVISION OR RULE (WHETHER OF THE STATE
OF DELAWARE OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION) THAT WOULD CAUSE THE APPLICATION OF THE
LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

     7.9. HEADINGS. The headings used in this Agreement have been inserted for
convenience of reference only and do not define or limit the provisions hereof.

     7.10. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each or which will be deemed an original, but all of which
together will constitute one and the same instrument.

     7.11. CLOSING CONDITION WAIVERS. At any time prior to the Closing Date, any
party hereto may (a) extend the time for the performance of any of the
obligations or other acts of any other party hereto, (b) waive any inaccuracies
in the representations and warranties contained herein or in any document
delivered pursuant hereto, and (c) waive compliance with any of the agreements
or conditions contained herein. Any agreement on the part of a party hereto to
any

                                       12
<PAGE>

such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in
writing signed by the party granting such waiver but such waiver or failure to
insist upon strict compliance with such obligation, covenant, agreement or
condition shall not operate as a waiver of, or estoppel with respect to, any
subsequent or future failure.

                                       14
<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed as of the date and year first above written.

                                 MARKETING SPECIALISTS CORPORATION

                                 By: /s/ TIMOTHY M. BYRD
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                     Name: Timothy M. Byrd
                                     Title: Chief Financial Officer

                                 MS ACQUISITION LIMITED

                                 By: MSSC Acquisition Corp., its General Partner

                                 By: /s/ TIMOTHY M. BYRD
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                     Name: Timothy M. Byrd
                                     Title: Chief Financial Officer

             [SIGNATURE PAGE TO PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT]<PAGE>
                                                                   Exhibit 10.49

                               EXCHANGE AGREEMENT

     THIS EXCHANGE AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT"), dated as of _______________,
200__ (the "EFFECTIVE DATE"), is made by and between Marketing Specialists
Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "COMPANY"), formerly known as Merkert
American Corporation, which was formerly known as Monroe, Inc., and Gerald R.
Leonard, an individual ("LEONARD") (together, the "PARTIES").

                                    RECITALS

     A. In conjunction with that certain Employment and Noncompetition Agreement
dated as of December 18, 1998 by and between the Company and Leonard (the
"EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT"), Leonard executed a Promissory Note in favor of the
Company for $1,500,000.00, at 6% interest per annum, with the entire principal
amount and accrued interest due and payable on April 8, 2003 (the "NOTE").
Pursuant to the terms of the Note, Leonard purchased 300 shares of common stock
of the Company, which stock was pledged to the Company as security, pursuant to
the terms of that certain Stock Pledge Agreement (the "PLEDGE AGREEMENT")
between the Company and Leonard dated as of April 8, 1998. The Note is a
recourse note with regard to $750,000.00 of the principal amount and a
non-recourse note with regard to $750,000.00 of the principal amount.

     B. On July 7, 1998 and January 11, 1999, the Company released 60 and
121,817 (after giving effect to the share recapitalization in connection with
the Company's IPO) shares of common stock, respectively, from the pledge.

     C. On April 27, 1999, the Employment Agreement was amended to provide,
among other things, that the Note would be due and payable on April 8, 2004 and
that shares of the common stock of the Company were released from the pledge
such that shares having a fair market value of $1,500,000.00 as of January 11,
1999 would remain subject to the pledge.

     D. After giving effect to the releases and share recapitalization, 98,361
shares of common stock of the Company are currently pledged pursuant to the
Pledge Agreement (the "PLEDGED SHARES").

     E. It is no longer the practice of the Company to issue its employees
promissory notes requiring a pledge of the Company's stock as security. Rather,
the Company now achieves the same economic benefits for its employees through
the issuance of employee stock options to purchase shares of Company common
stock at a stated exercise price.

     F. In order to make the Note, Pledge Agreement, Pledged Shares and related
provisions of the Employment Agreement consistent with current Company practice,
Leonard wishes to surrender any and all rights and obligations he has or may
have under the Note, Pledge Agreement, and Pledged Shares in exchange for the
issuance of employee stock options pursuant to which Leonard will have an option
to purchase 98,361 shares of the Company's common stock at an aggregate exercise
price of $1,500,000.00, or $15.25 per share (the "OPTION").

<PAGE>

     G. Each of the Parties acknowledges that this Agreement is not intended to
increase or decrease the economic benefit originally provided to Leonard, but is
intended to more accurately achieve such benefit.

                             STATEMENT OF AGREEMENT

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements,
covenants, representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement and for
other good, valid and binding consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of
which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties, intending to be legally bound,
hereby agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I.
                              TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE

     Section 1.1 Pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement, on the Closing Date (as defined below), Leonard shall surrender any
and all rights, and terminate any and all obligations, he has or may have under
the Note, Pledge Agreement and Pledged Shares, and shall accept the Option in
lieu thereof.

     Section 1.2 Pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement, on the Closing Date, and subject to the Company's ability to obtain
all necessary and appropriate approvals under the Company's credit facilities
and other material agreements, the Company shall surrender any and all rights,
and terminate any and all obligations, it has or may have under the Note, Pledge
Agreement, and Pledged Shares, and shall grant the Option in lieu thereof.

                                   ARTICLE II.
                                   THE CLOSING

     Section 2.1 THE CLOSING. The consummation of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement (the "CLOSING") will take place at the offices of the Company
on the first business day following the date on which all of the conditions
hereto, to the extent not waived, are satisfied, or such other time and place as
is mutually agreed upon by the Parties. The date on which the Closing actually
occurs is hereinafter referred to as the "CLOSING DATE."

     Section 2.2 DELIVERIES BY LEONARD. At the Closing, Leonard shall deliver
the following to the Company:

     (a) an original executed Pledge Agreement, if in Leonard's possession; and

     (b) the certificates representing the Pledged Shares, together with an
executed stock power in favor of the Company.

     Section 2.3 DELIVERIES BY COMPANY. At the Closing, the Company shall
deliver the following to Leonard:

     (a) the Option, in substantially the form attached hereto as EXHIBIT A;

     (b) the original executed Note, to be marked cancelled; and

                                       2
<PAGE>

     (c) an original executed Pledge Agreement, if in the Company's possession.

     Section 2.4 EFFECT OF CLOSING. Upon consummation of the Closing, the Option
shall for all purposes replace the Note, Pledge Agreement, Pledged Shares and
the provisions of the Employment Agreement relating thereto, which shall be
terminated and of no further force or effect.

                                  ARTICLE III.
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

     Section 3.1 AMENDMENT. No amendment of this Agreement will be effective
unless in a writing signed by the Parties.

     Section 3.2 COUNTERPARTS; FAX SIGNATURES. This Agreement may be executed in
any number of counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original
agreement, but all of which will constitute one and the same agreement. Either
Party may execute and deliver this Agreement by an executed signature page
transmitted by a facsimile machine. If a Party transmits its signature page by a
facsimile machine, such Party will promptly thereafter deliver an originally
executed signature page to the other Party, provided that any failure to deliver
such an originally executed signature page will not affect the validity,
legality, or enforceability of this Agreement.

     Section 3.3 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes the entire
agreement and understanding between the Parties and supersedes all prior
agreements and understandings, both written and oral, and all contemporaneous
oral agreements and understandings with respect to the subject matter of this
Agreement.

     Section 3.4 GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF
THE STATE OF TEXAS REGARDLESS OF THE LAWS THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE GOVERN UNDER THE
CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES OF SUCH STATE.

     Section 3.5 NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES. This Agreement is solely for the
benefit of the Parties and no other person will have any right, interest, or
claim under this Agreement.

     Section 3.6 NOTICES. Unless otherwise provided elsewhere in this Agreement,
all notices, waivers, and other communications in connection with this Agreement
shall be in writing. Such notices, waivers, and other communications shall be
transmitted by hand delivery, by facsimile with written confirmation of such
transmittal, by a nationally recognized overnight courier, or by certified or
registered United States mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested to a
Party at its address or location set forth below (or to such other address to
which such Party has notified the other Party in accordance with this Section to
send such notices, waivers, and other communications).

                                       3
<PAGE>

                  Company:   Marketing Specialists Corporation
                             17855 Dallas Parkway, Suite 200
                             Dallas, TX  75287
                             Attn:  Nancy K. Jagielski, General Counsel
                             Telephone: (972) 687-4205
                             Facsimile: (972) 687-1693

                  Leonard:   Gerald R. Leonard
                             339 Far Reach Road
                             Westwood, MA  02090
                             Telephone:
                             Facsimile:

     Section 3.7 SEVERABILITY. Any provision of this Agreement that is
prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction will not invalidate the
remaining provisions of this Agreement or affect the validity or enforceability
of such provision in any other jurisdiction. In addition, any such prohibited or
unenforceable provision will be given effect to the extent possible in the
jurisdiction where such provision is prohibited or unenforceable.

     Section 3.8 SUCCESSORS. This Agreement will be binding upon and will inure
to the benefit of each Party and its heirs, legal representatives and
successors.

     Section 3.9 TAXATION. It is the intent and belief of the Parties that the
transactions contemplated hereby shall be accomplished as a tax free
restructuring of the obligations of the Parties, and the Parties shall report
the transactions in a manner consistent therewith on their respective Federal,
State and local income tax returns.

                            [SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

                                       4
<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Party executed, or caused a duly authorized
officer to execute, this Agreement as of the Effective Date.

                                           MARKETING SPECIALISTS CORPORATION

                                           By:______________________________
                                           Name:____________________________
                                           Title:___________________________

                                           _________________________________
                                           Gerald R. Leonard

                                       5
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT A

                                       6

<PAGE>
                                                                       Exhibit A

                      NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

                   UNDER THE MARKETING SPECIALISTS CORPORATION
                      (F/K/A MERKERT AMERICAN CORPORATION)
                      1998 STOCK OPTION AND INCENTIVE PLAN

Name of Optionee:                   Gerald R. Leonard
No. of Option Shares:               98,361
Option Exercise Price per Share:    $15.25

Grant Date:                         [_________________], 2000

Expiration Date:                    [_________________], 2010

     Pursuant to the Marketing Specialists Corporation (f/k/a Merkert American
Corporation) 1998 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the "PLAN") as amended
through the date hereof and pursuant to the exchange agreement by and between
Marketing Specialists Corporation (the "COMPANY") and Optionee dated as of [ ],
2000 (the "EXCHANGE AGREEMENT"), the Company hereby grants to the Optionee named
above an option (the "STOCK OPTION") to purchase on or prior to the Expiration
Date specified above all or part of the number of shares of Common Stock, par
value $.01 per share (the "STOCK") of the Company specified above at the Option
Exercise Price per Share specified above subject to the terms and conditions set
forth herein and in the Plan and the Exchange Agreement.

1.   MANNER OF EXERCISE.

     (a) The Optionee may exercise this Option only in the following manner:
from time to time on or prior to the Expiration Date of this Option, the
Optionee may give written notice to the Committee (as defined in Section 2 of
the Plan) of his or her election to purchase some or all of the Option Shares
purchasable at the time of such notice. This notice shall specify the number of
Option Shares to be purchased.

Payment of the purchase price for the Option Shares may be made (i) in cash, by
certified or bank check or other instrument acceptable to the Committee or (ii)
by the Optionee delivering to the Company a properly executed exercise notice
together with irrevocable instructions to a broker to promptly deliver to the
Company cash or a check payable and acceptable to the Company to pay the option
purchase price, provided that in the event the Optionee chooses to pay the
option purchase price as so provided, the Optionee and the broker shall comply
with such procedures and enter into such agreements of indemnity and other
agreements as the

<PAGE>

Committee shall prescribe as a condition of such payment procedure. Payment
instruments will be received subject to collection.

The delivery of certificates representing the Option Shares will be contingent
upon the Company's receipt from the Optionee of full payment for the Option
Shares, as set forth above and any agreement, statement or other evidence that
the Company may require to satisfy itself that the issuance of Stock to be
purchased pursuant to the exercise of Options under the Plan and any subsequent
resale of the shares of Stock will be in compliance with applicable laws and
regulations.

     (b) Certificates for the shares of Stock purchased upon exercise of this
Stock Option shall be issued and delivered to the Optionee upon compliance to
the satisfaction of the Committee with all requirements under applicable laws or
regulations in connection with such issuance and with the requirements hereof
and of the Plan. The determination of the Committee as to such compliance shall
be final and binding on the Optionee. The Optionee shall not be deemed to be the
holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, any shares
of Stock subject to this Stock Option unless and until this Stock Option shall
have been exercised pursuant to the terms hereof, the Company shall have issued
and delivered the shares to the Optionee, and the Optionee's name shall have
been entered as the stockholder of record on the books of the Company.
Thereupon, the Optionee shall have full voting, dividend and other ownership
rights with respect to such shares of Stock.

     (c) The minimum number of shares with respect to which this Stock Option
may be exercised at any one time shall be 100 shares, unless the number of
shares with respect to which this Stock Option is being exercised is the total
number of shares subject to exercise under this Stock Option at the time.

     (d) Notwithstanding any other provision hereof or of the Plan, no portion
of this Stock Option shall be exercisable after the Expiration Date hereof.

2.   TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. If the Optionee's employment by the Company or a
Subsidiary (as defined in the Plan) is terminated, the period within which to
exercise the Option may be subject to earlier termination as set forth below.

     (a) TERMINATION DUE TO DEATH. If the Optionee's employment terminates by
reason of death, any Option held by the Optionee shall become fully exercisable
and may thereafter be exercised by the Optionee's legal representative or
legatee for a period of 12 months from the date of death or until the Expiration
Date, if earlier.

     (b) TERMINATION DUE TO DISABILITY. If the Optionee's employment terminates
by reason of Disability (as defined in the Plan), any Option held by the
Optionee shall become fully exercisable and may thereafter be exercised by the
Optionee for a period of 12 months from the date of termination or until the
Expiration Date, if earlier. The death of the Optionee during the 12-month
period provided in this Section 3(b) shall extend such period for another 12
months from the date of death or until the Expiration Date, if earlier.

                                       2
<PAGE>

     (c) TERMINATION FOR CAUSE. If the Optionee's employment terminates for
Cause (as defined in the Plan), any Option held by the Optionee shall terminate
immediately and be of no further force and effect.

     (d) OTHER TERMINATION. If the Optionee's employment terminates for any
reason other than death, Disability, or Cause, and unless otherwise determined
by the Committee, any Option held by the Optionee may be exercised, to the
extent exercisable on the date of termination, for a period of three months from
the date of termination or until the Expiration Date, if earlier. Any Option
that is not exercisable at such time shall terminate immediately and be of no
further force or effect.

The Committee's determination of the reason for termination of the Optionee's
employment shall be conclusive and binding on the Optionee and his or her
representatives or legatees.

3.   INCORPORATION OF PLAN. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary,
this Stock Option shall be subject to and governed by all the terms and
conditions of the Plan. Capitalized terms in this Agreement shall have the
meaning specified in the Plan, unless a different meaning is specified herein.

4.   TRANSFERABILITY. This Agreement is personal to the Optionee, is
non-assignable and is not transferable in any manner, by operation of law or
otherwise, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This
Stock Option is exercisable, during the Optionee's lifetime, only by the
Optionee, and thereafter, only by the Optionee's legal representative or
legatee.

5.   MISCELLANEOUS.

     (a) Notice hereunder shall be given to the Company at its principal place
of business, and shall be given to the Optionee at the address set forth below,
or in either case at such other address as one party may subsequently furnish to
the other party in writing.

     (b) This Stock Option does not confer upon the Optionee any rights with
respect to continuance of employment by the Company or any Subsidiary.

     (c) Pursuant to Section 15 of the Plan, the Committee may at any time amend
or cancel any outstanding portion of this Stock Option, but no such action may
be taken which adversely affects the Optionee's rights under this Agreement
without the Optionee's consent.

                           [Signature Page to Follow]

                                       3
<PAGE>

                                        MARKETING SPECIALISTS CORPORATION

                                        By: ___________________________________
                                        Name: _________________________________
                                        Title: ________________________________

The foregoing Agreement is hereby accepted and the terms and conditions thereof
hereby agreed to by the undersigned.

Dated: ________________________         _______________________________________
                                        Optionee's Signature

                                        Social Security No.  [___ __ ___]

                                        Gerald R. Leonard
                                        339 Far Reach Road
                                        Westwood, MA  02090

                                       4

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