History
“CBD gets it." We hear this from clients all the time.
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CBD Party

Our secret? We entrench ourselves in our clients’ business, treating it as if it was our own. From conducting research to providing analysis and insights to immersing ourselves in the customer experience, we impact our clients’ business by knowing it inside and out.This focus on the client began in 1988 when CBD won CimLink, a factory automation software company, as our first client.

“We pitched against a lot of agencies,” said founder Lori Colman. “But we came in with a huge proposal and a lot a strategy—that’s how we won.” The agency went on to win business from a broad range of companies in rapid succession.Today, led by our co-CEOs Liz Brohan and Lori Colman, the agency is servicing a range of B2B, B2C, and education clients all of whom value and receive robust up-front strategy work. The desire to become a part of the industries we service can be seen in our participation and leadership in industry forums and meetings.


Timeline

1988-1997

  • First account is Cimlinc, a provider of factory automation software. The assignment involves brand positioning, advertising, direct mail and media for a new product launch.
  • Subsequent wins:
    • SSA Global, for the launch of a new software suite
    • Zenith, to introduce electronics into the lodging and hospital industries
    • U.S. Robotics, for the launch of a new modem line for home PCs
    • Zenith, for their accessories group
    • U.S. Robotics, for their B-to-C and B-to-B business units
    • Scitex, for a global brand campaign
    • Bruning, later acquired by Océ, for its wide-format copier division
    • SPSS, Experian, Syntel and other technology businesses
  • 1995, expands to new larger space at 350 W. Ontario Street in Chicago

1998-2009

  • 1998, Liz Brohan joins as partner and President
  • Significant consumer client wins in retail, education, financial services, food, professional services:
    • Eddie Bauer
    • Sears
    • Service Merchandise
    • Paul Stuart
    • Beanpod Candles
    • Colonial CandleDeVry University
    • Stalla, Becker
    • Kendall College
    • Heidrick & Struggles
    • ABN AMRO
    • Discover Financial Services
    • First Midwest Bank
    • George Washington Savings Bank
    • Grecian Delight Foods
    • Carbon’s Golden Malted
    • Lake Forest Graduate School of Management
    • WineExperience.com
  • Significant B-to-B client wins in food ingredients, manufacturing, technology, energy, agriculture:
    • Lipid Nutrition
    • Sensory Effects
    • Loders Croklaan
    • Smurfit-Stone
    • W.W. Grainger
    • Siemens
    • KI
    • Biz360
    • Constellation Energy
    • CF Industries
    • Penford Food Ingredients
    • Ralston Foods
    • Fuel Tech
  • 2006, named a “Top Agency” for the first time by BtoB Magazine2007
  • Liz Brohan becomes Co-CEO and retains President title
  • 2007, wins First Place ACE award for Event Marketing from NY Business Marketing Association
  • 2007, named a “Top Agency” for the second time by BtoB Magazine
  • 2007, the agency expands again to a new space in Chicago’s historic Courthouse Place building
  • 2008, CBD celebrates its 20th anniversary
  • 2008, named a “Top Agency” for a third time by BtoB Magazine
  • 2009, named a “Top Agency” for a fourth time by BtoB Magazine
  • 2009, CBD wins Gold Tower Award for Interactive, Business Marketing Association
  • 2009, CBD wins Gold CASE Award for Intergrated Campaign, Higher Education
  • 2009, CBD wins CADM Volunteer of the Year Award, only the second agency to do so