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Smith-Dahmer Associates LLC is an independent market research firm specializing in product development and design, brand strategy, communications and distribution challenges. The firm was founded by Joan Smith and Ann Dahmer in 1991 and employs 43 associates. "We are enormously proud to receive this award," said Joan Smith, principal of Smith-Dahmer Associates LLC. "We've been so focused on supporting our clients' products and services, we seldom stop to think about the impact our own company is having. It's very gratifying to be recognized as having such a positive presence in the communities where we do business." Companies nominated for the "Michigan 50 Companies to Watch" list must be second-stage companies, defined as having 6 to 99 full-time-equivalent employees and generating $750,000 to $50 million in annual revenue or working capital from investors or grants. Winners were selected by the Michigan Certified Development Corporation, Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center, the Small Business Association of Michigan, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the U.S. Small Business Administration-Michigan and the Edward Lowe Foundation. Judges evaluated the nominees' demonstrated intent and capacity to grow based on one or more of the following:• Employee or sales growth.• Exceptional entrepreneurial leadership.• Sustainable competitive advantage.• Other notable factors that showcase the company's success.Information about the 2008 Michigan 50 Companies to Watch program can be found at http://Michigan.CompaniesToWatch.org. Established in St. Joseph, Mich., in 1991, Smith-Dahmer Associates LLC is a privately held marketing research company specializing in discovering actionable customer insights for a wide range of clients. The firm employs 43 associates in St. Joseph and Minneapolis who provide clients with marketing research expertise in the areas of product development and design; brand strategy; communications analysis; and channel/distribution assessment.