The story of market research firm Chadwick Martin Bailey began in 1984 when Anne Bailey Berman, then VP of Development at American Cable Systems, and John Martin, a professor at Boston University, decided to start their own research firm. The company set out to provide sophisticated market research services.
A powerful partnership
The early years of Chadwick Martin Bailey were characterized by a powerful partnership between its founders, who brought distinct but complementary strengths to the business. Berman, who committed to the venture full-time from its inception, excelled at client communication and had a particular talent for translating complex research findings into actionable recommendations that clients could understand and implement. Martin, who continued teaching at Boston University and later Babson College while working at Chadwick Martin Bailey, was renowned for his brilliant analytical mind and ability to transform raw data into meaningful insights.
Their complementary skills were perhaps best demonstrated in their early sales approach. The founders often conducted client visits together, having recognized that different clients would respond better to one or the other’s communication styles. This early recognition of the importance of personalized client relationships would become a cornerstone of Chadwick Martin Bailey’s business philosophy. As 50-50 owners, they established a unique agreement that gave Berman final decision-making authority, creating a clear leadership structure that enabled efficient decision-making while maintaining their collaborative approach.
The firm’s initial focus on cable television research, starting with American Cable Systems, quickly expanded to other providers and industries as their reputation for rigorous methodology and insightful analysis grew. One of their most significant early innovations was the development of the Decision Information Sheet, a tool that helped align research with clients’ specific business decisions and information needs. This methodology, which remains fundamental to CMB’s approach today, reflected the company’s commitment to ensuring research directly supported client decision-making.
Under the founding leadership, Chadwick Martin Bailey successfully navigated several major technological transitions in the research industry. The company evolved from conducting mail surveys, where they had to devise creative ways to encourage response rates, to telephone research, and eventually to internet-based methodologies – which now includes CMB’s innovative AI+HI™ approach. Each transition required not just technical adaptation but a thoughtful approach to maintaining data quality and insight generation.
The founding partners established two key principles that would guide Chadwick Martin Bailey’s development: maintaining a strong collaborative culture focused on employee growth and continuously evolving research methodologies to stay ahead of industry changes. These principles proved crucial in an industry that was rapidly transforming. With few market research firms in the Boston area at the time, Chadwick Martin Bailey needed to both attract bright talent and create an environment where they could grow and thrive. This commitment to professional development and teamwork became a defining characteristic of the company’s culture.
CMB introduced the Bobblehead Awards for Excellence, which is the most prestigious peer-nominated award at the company, and is awarded biannually to a team and/or individual for outstanding performance above-and-beyond their core role. The two bobbleheads are made in the likeness of the co-founders, Anne Bailey Berman and John Martin, to honor their legacy.
After Martin’s passing in 2014, Berman continued to lead Chadwick Martin Bailey until her retirement as CEO in 2017, after which she served as Chair of the Board until 2020. The transition to new leadership marked the beginning of the company’s next chapter, as Jim Garrity, who had successfully led the Financial Services Practice for 12 years, took the helm as CEO. Under his leadership, CMB successfully navigated through an acquisition by ITA Group, while strengthening client relationships at every level of engagement. Garrity’s vision expanded on the founders’ legacy, focusing on fusing human intelligence with technology to help clients level up their business impact.
Today, CMB stands as a Top Insights & Analytics company and the firm’s evolution from a Boston-based market research firm to a leading global insights and strategy consultancy reflects its ability to maintain founding principles while adapting to changing market needs and technological advances.
Combining artificial and human intelligence
CMB’s modern approach continues to emphasize the importance of both technological advancement and human insight. The company’s success in helping leading brands make critical decisions with confidence stems from its ability to balance these elements – combining cutting-edge research methodologies with the deep industry expertise and strategic thinking that its founders valued from the beginning. This commitment to both innovation and foundational principles positions the company to continue its growth and impact in the evolving landscape of market research and strategic consulting.
The legacy of Berman and Martin’s partnership lives on in CMB’s collaborative culture, its rigorous approach to research, and its unwavering focus on delivering actionable insights to clients. As the company continues to grow and evolve under current leadership, it maintains the entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to excellence that characterized its founding, while embracing new technologies and methodologies that help clients navigate an increasingly complex business environment.