» About » Creative Marketing Alliance

CMA has the strategic prowess and creative clout to deploy integrated marketing communications through a single-source arsenal of award-winning services―strategy, traditional and interactive design and public relations.

We study the audiences you need to reach and craft a tactical communications mix that will most effectively achieve your marketing goals. Credible messages and high-impact designs that speak directly to your target audience needs and wants are created to drive customer awareness, interest, desire and action.

Marketecture™: Success by design
Through our proprietary Marketecture  strategic planning approach, we team with you and your key management to identify, analyze and reach consensus on the business trends, competitive challenges and market forces impacting your company. Based on Marketecture analysis, CMA transforms these market forces into compelling positioning, key sales messages and, ultimately, strategically-driven creative tactics that are the foundation of your differentiated marketplace edge.

Making it happen
CMA has been championing our clients’ ambitions for competitive edge, increased revenue and marketplace advantage for 25 years. However, it takes more than marketing expertise and creative insight to produce the results you want. It takes consistent and persistent passion for performance on a daily basis. Making things happen is not only part of our culture as a company, it’s part of our nature as people. Trust us to get the results you need, because we won’t settle for less and neither will you.

A Marketing Firm Led by Executives from the Corporate Environment is Different
CMA’s executive management team has a unique client-side perspective gained from years serving as corporate marketing executives. Our strategic thinking and client focus come from people who have sat on your side of the desk, and who have a singular and real-world understanding of your needs and challenges.

Most marketing communications firms are founded by graphic designers or journalists. CMA was founded by corporate marketers who take a strategic service approach to your business and marketing challenges. We’ve walked in your shoes, so we are driven by a laser-focus on delivering results and return on your marketing investment.

Championing your success
Creativity may win accounts, but service keeps them. There’s no question you need brilliant strategies and creative ideas, but they won’t fly (or be cost-effective) unless there is great day-to-day client service to give them wings.

We listen to you. We listen to your competition. We listen to your customers, because that is where our marketing solutions begin and where those solutions will ultimately have to stand and deliver. Count on us to be reliable and honest, because those cultural values have earned us a reputation for professionalism that we practice with pride.

The rewards of CMA’s hands-on, heads-up culture have been a wide variety of successful and award-winning marketing communications programs, exceptional client satisfaction and superior, long-term client retention.

2012

CMA celebrates its 25^th Anniversary!!

2011

A true testament to our firm’s creative staying power and strategic versatility, Creative Marketing Alliance won 17 ASTRA awards including Best of Show at the New Jersey Communications, Advertising and Marketing Association’s 2011 ASTRA Awards ceremony. This represents the most honors CMA has ever received at a creative awards ceremony in its 24 year history. The firm was recognized in a wide variety of marketing categories including collateral material, web design and copy, public relations, marketing campaigns, self-promotion and external publications.

2010

Creative Marketing Alliance received 14 awards for creative and marketing excellence in 2010 bringing, its creative awards total to 206 over 23 years. CMA was reaccredited by the Association Management Company (AMC) Institute in 2010 for high standards of professional and trade association management service and quality. Of the more than 500 AMCs worldwide, only 56 are distinguished by AMC Institute accreditation.

2009

CMA Creative Director Dave Sherwood celebrates 20 years at CMA.

2008

CMA receives accreditation from the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI), the largest media and marketing organization serving the providers of branded promotional products imprinted with an advertiser’s name, logo, slogan or message. CMA Association Management also receives accreditation from the International Airlines Travel Agent Network (IATAN) as a Travel Sales Intermediary (TSI) Location, signifying that CMA is a qualified travel services provider.

2007

CMA celebrates 20th anniversary. New Jersey Senate and General Assembly pass a joint resolution introduced by state Senator Peter Inverso and Assemblyman Bill Baroni honoring CMA as “a highly esteemed member of the Garden State business community.”

2006

CMA Association Management receives accreditation from the Association Management Company Institute (AMCI, formerly IAAMC), becoming one of only 50 accredited association management companies in the world.

2002

CMA celebrates 15th anniversary with a celebration at Trenton Thunder’s Waterfront Park. Mercer County Executive Bob Prunetti joined the festivities as Trenton Thunder selected CMA President, Jeff Barnhart, to throw out the ceremonial first pitch of the game.

2001/02

CMA receives Central New Jersey Chapter of the American Red Cross PaceSetter Award for two consecutive years. CMA president and CEO, Jeffrey Barnhart, also receives Richard Mack Award for communications excellence from the president of the National American Red Cross.

1998

ICMA, the card manufacturing association founded by CMA, celebrates 10th anniversary; grows from seven original members to more than 200 members in 10 year span representing companies worldwide.

1997

CMA moves into current 13,000 square foot office in Princeton Junction.

1996

CMA is recognized by Governor Christie Todd Whitman on its 10th anniversary. She states her “pride in the part CMA has played in providing a unique service to New Jersey businesses and associations.” CMA also wins the first of 53 total Jasper Awards from the Jersey Shore Public Relations and Advertising Association (JRRAA).

1995

CMA presented with a Certificate of Leadership from the Eden Family of Services in recognition for pro bono marketing support.

1994

CMA’s president and CEO, Jeffrey Barnhart, is awarded the Appreciation Award for Outstanding and Successful Efforts from the Central Regional Chapter of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) for co-chairing annual fundraising efforts.

1990

CMA’s Jeffrey Barnhart and Al Vrancart, current CMA Vice President of Marketing, found the International Card Manufacturers Association (ICMA), providing an educational and networking forum for the global and rapidly evolving secure transaction and ID card industry.

1989

CMA wins first two Astra Awards from the New Jersey Communications and Marketing Association (CAMA). Over the years, CMA has won a total of 72 Astra Awards recognizing outstanding creative and marketing communications work.

1988

CMA Association Management is established, a strategic business group dedicated to the management of non-profit professional and trade associations.

1987

Creative Marketing Alliance is founded by Jeffrey E. Barnhart, a former marketing executive for Philips Lighting Company of Hightstown, N.J, a global lighting manufacturer.