When Only the
Best is Good Enough

It's very difficult to step back from your business and look at it through the eyes of someone seeing it for the first time. Yet the majority of the people you are marketing to are doing just that. Are you making the kind of first impression you think you are? Do your promotions work together and make sense to a potential customer who may have no knowledge of your industry?

At CCM, we specialize in concept marketing. That means we look at the whole picture with fresh eyes, fresh ideas, and creative execution.

Founded by Susan Balbaugh, CCM is a boutique marketing firm located in pristine Northern Michigan, on the shores of the Straits of Mackinac. Our ambitious team works hard to ensure every one of our clients feels we've taken their promotions to the highest level within their budget.

If you're looking for uncommon skills, an experienced team, and a passionate approach to your marketing, then make CCM your number one pick for all your promotional needs.

Susan Balbaugh
President and Founder

Susan meets with every client and oversees every project personally. It's her vision that goes into all marketing programs and tools executed by CCM.

After graduating from Lake Superior State University with a BS in Marketing, Susan went to work for the Society of Manufacturing Engineers in Dearborn, Michigan. There, she got to hone her skills in direct mail and catalog management, averaging 1.25 million pieces of direct mail per year with one of the highest response rates at the 80,000 member association. She was nicknamed the Queen of Direct Mail.

Later, Susan became the marketing manager of a publishing company in Detroit, Michigan specializing in unique reference books. Her team was one of the first in the country to use CD-ROM technology to set up an extensive research text source in the new (at that time—this was the 80's) format.

Her most recent assignment prior to founding CCM, was that of Marketing Director for a mergers and acquisitions firm. In this position, Susan was able to test persuasion techniques on high level executives and CEOs of $20MM to $200MM companies. She studied every significant contributor to the field of applied behavioral psychology and learned how to use these concepts in strategic positioning.

In 2000, Susan returned to her home town where she launched CCM.

"Susan is managing all of my marketing for both The Boathouse Restaurant and Mariner's Village Marina. From the website, brochures, direct mail campaigns, and other projects, I trust Susan and CCM to present high-quality, professional marketing."

John Knaffla
Partner
The Boathouse Restaurant &
Mariner's Village Marina

"I feel very fortunate to live in such a beautiful area. Often, a drive along the shore or a walk in the woods will result in a really great creative idea for one of my client's projects. It's a source of inspiration I depend on."

Susan Balbaugh
President/Founder
CCMarketing