SMART, DATA-DRIVEN
WINNING CAMPAIGNS
Over 50 years ago, Mark Grebner founded a small voter data firm in East Lansing that relied on data meticulously keyed by hand on mainframe computers rented from MSU in the wee hours of the morning, providing candidates with voter lists produced on large dot matrix printers printed on 4 x 6 inch, perforated cardstock. Grebner quickly gained a reputation as the eccentric, go-to politico for voter lists in Michigan.
Decades later, Grebner's desire to maintain the most accurate voter file in Michigan endures. In fact, we've invested millions of dollars in building and maintaining the voter list that wins the most elections in Michigan.
"The Grebner List" as it is commonly known, has played a major role in electing candidates running for nearly every office across Michigan. Over five decades, our success stories are in the thousands, with clients past and present walking the halls of our state Capitol, serving as mayors and county commissioners, school board members, and even sitting behind the Resolute desk in the White House.
But great voter lists isn't all we've become known for as one of Michigan's oldest, most established political consulting firms.
As a full-service firm, we are able to fulfill nearly any need of the serious candidate, campaign, or organization to run effective, successful operations. Further, we are proud of the many partnerships we've built across Michigan that allow our clients the ability to tap in to a vast network of specialists and practitioners, only available to PPD clients.
We're in the business of finding the unique potential in every campaign, telling their story through well-thought out narrative, and bringing that discussion to the electorate by working with our clients to effectively introduce themselves to the right voters using a holistic approach that combines the best voter data possible and smart campaign strategies.
STEVE ROSS
Steve Ross' first foray into politics was as an idealistic student volunteer at MSU back in 2004, knocking doors and making calls for the Democratic ticket. Though the results of that election were disappointing, a fire was lit and he dove in with both feet the following cycle, where he had a chance encounter with a young-Senator from Illinois, Barack Obama. Following this chance meeting, he fully engaged in doing whatever he could to elect Obama president one day, should he ever run. Months later, much sooner than expected, this became reality.
Steve worked in a number of capacities for the Obama campaign, which eventually led to a short stint in the White House. While there, he decided DC and government bureaucracy wasn't for him and yearned for the excitement of the campaign life. He moved back to Lansing and joined Mark Grebner at his firm.
Over the past 20 years, he's developed a reputation in political circles as a bright strategist with the unique ability to build and drive narratives while seeing the big picture, and has a deep understanding of voter targeting and effectively and efficiently contacting voters.
MARK GREBNER
Beginning in 1972, Mark Grebner began volunteering in political campaigns on the MSU campus, where he was an undergraduate. By 1973, he realized the most valuable contribution he could make would be to convert the campaigns' paper records into computerized data, using what he had learned in his computer programming classes. At that time - 50 years ago - that meant keypunching the names, addresses, and numbers onto punched cards which could be mechanically sorted and then printed onto mailing labels.
A few years later, Grebner realized he could apply his statistical coursework to building models that predicted the voting behavior of each voter, using publicly available information such as their demographics and voting history.
By 1983, he began to apply political science and his knowledge of Michigan law to craft a deep understanding of the process by which voters reach their decisions, and the ways campaigns can intervene to affect those decisions in their own favor.
Since then, Grebner has developed a national reputation as an expert in modeling voter behavior, including the creation of powerful new get-out-the-vote techniques.
MARTY MCCORMICK
Marty McCormick, a seasoned political strategist, has been navigating the intricate world of Michigan politics for over four decades. His extensive experience spans a wide range of campaigns, from local county races to state legislative and judicial contests. Known for his keen insight, strategic planning, and deep understanding of Michigan's political landscape, McCormick has played a pivotal role in the success of numerous campaigns.
Marty’s approach combines traditional political acumen with modern data-driven strategies, making him a valuable asset in the ever-evolving world of political campaigning. His longevity in the field speaks to his ability to adapt to changing political climates and technological advancements.
Marty and his wife Kathy split their time between their Lake Michigan condo and the beautiful mountains of Colorado Springs, which allows him ample time to spend with his favorite people his six grandchildren.
"THE KEEPERS OF THE BEST LISTS IN MICHIGAN"
- THE NEW YORK TIMES
Practical Political Data provides savvy campaigns an advantage over their opponents through accurate lists of voters in their community that are likely to vote in their election. We know their partisanship, contribution history, whether or not they vote by absentee ballot or in-person, organizations and unions they may belong to, and issues they support. We offer a range of data packages to fit the needs and price point of any campaign, including our renowned online voter management system VoteCast.
OUR WINNING FORMULA
STORY + VOTER CONTACT + DATA
No two political campaigns are alike. That's why we take the time to get to know you and your team, your voters, and your community. Then, together, develop a winning plan and work with you to execute it every step of the way through Election Day.
We believe in running holistic campaigns that employ a healthy reliance on modern campaign tools, proven techniques that have withstood the test of time paired with captive storytelling across varying mediums, and access to the absolute best voter targeting data in Michigan to win our elections.
CAMPAIGN STRATEGY & PLANNING
TV & WEB AD PLACEMENT
CAMPAIGN WEBSITES
AV VOTER TARGETING & BALLOT CHASING
MAILER DESIGN & UNION PRINTING
MESSAGE
DEVELOPMENT
PETITION VALIDITION & CHALLENGES
VIDEO PRODUCTION
STRATEGIC
PARTNERSHIPS
CASE STUDIES
Over 50 years, we've worked with thousands of campaigns across Michigan and have countless success stories. Below are a few examples from some of our favorite, recent wins.
In 2023, PPD worked on a shoestring budget to pass Ranked Choice Voting ballot proposals in East Lansing, Royal Oak, and Kalamazoo. Working alongside dedicated activists, we oversaw the production and distribution of three rounds of individualized mailings, over 2 million digital ad impressions, and grassroots voter contact, while facing stiff opposition from anti-RCV adversaries.
In 2022, PPD ran an extremely targeted, all-in campaign for Penelope Tsernoglou's state representative campaign. We designed and targeted eight mailers, dozens of social media ads, a two-minute biographical ad and three additional short-form ads, absentee chase program, and fundraising effort that brought in over $100,000. Tsernoglou won the three-candidate primary with 54% of the vote and the general election with 60%.
Additionally, PPD worked to set up and oversee PenelopePAC, a leadership PAC that has raised over $200,000 and supported dozens of candidates across Michigan.
PPD worked with the Democratic slate in Geneseee County, including candidates for Prosecutor, Clerk / Register of Deeds, State Representative, and multiple County Commissioners, to chase absentee voter ballots in near-real time, ensuring Democratic voters were being contacted by our candidates as ballots were arriving in their mailboxes.
In 2022, the Michigan Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence worked alongside PPD to identify swing voters in targeted districts across Michigan to encourage them to research their legislative candidate's stances on sun safety legislation.
In the years prior to Tony Spagnuolo declaring his candidacy for Clinton County Prosecutor, PPD implemented a program to build Spagnuolo's name ID and goodwill among primary voters in his community, through targeted promotions for his law practice. In 2020, PPD ran an aggressive campaign on behalf of Tony Spagnuolo, candidate for Clinton County Prosecutor, which required a somewhat unconventional approach due to the pandemic. We wrote and designed six mailings and organized COVID-friendly meet-and-greets across the county. Spagnuolo won the primary with 66% of the vote and the general election with 58%.
From 2017-2020, PPD organized a massively successful annual dinner on behalf of the Ingham County Democratic Party bringing in high-level speakers from the Obama Administration, renowned civil rights activists, and other Democratic leaders. The event raised tens of thousands of dollars annually for the group's PACs and Administrative funds.
PPD successfully passed a millage, against vocal, monied opposition, to build a new, state of the art animal shelter facility in Mason by garnering political and community endorsements, producing shorts and videos, and mailing to residents across the community. The millage passed with 75% support.
