Advantage Marketing isn't just a name...we're a team of people dedicated to promoting our community to the world through our popular guides and websites. Our relationship with our clients is important to us, and we add that personal touch that ensures trust....and brings results in today's competitive marketplace.

Lynne Stechschulte, owner of Advantage Marketing, began her journey into marketing and promotion in 1979 by working in broadcast sales at a local radio station. After several years, many of Lynne's clients encouraged her to start an advertising agency to assist with all their marketing needs. In the course of doing business, Lynne fell in love with publishing and went to work on the 1991 Ludington Area Visitors Guide, the first of many Advantage Marketing publications devoted to the promotion and service of the tourism industry. Understanding the importance of the internet, Lynne also began publishing to the web in 1999. Lynne resides in the Hamlin Lake area with her two daughters. She enjoys gardening and hiking in the Ludington State Park.

Mary Newberg is our very capable and friendly salesperson, and joined the team in 2004. Mary is a lifelong resident of Mason County and has a history of customer service in the area. Her past work in both the restaurant and flooring business has given Mary valuable experience in dealing with customers. Whether she's taking care of customers' ads or distributing our publications throughout the area, Mary's honesty and sense of humor make her a real asset to our company. Mary's husband works construction in the Ludington area, and they have three sons.

Diane Sonefeld, our Office Manager, came on board in 2005. Diane and Lynne first worked together back in the early 80s at WKLA, where Diane was Creative Services Director. She graduated with a B.A.A. from Central Michigan University and then traveled to five countries over 14 years for her husband's job. Diane enjoys keeping everything organized in the office, and uses her writing experience to create the stories in the Ludington Area Visitors Guide and on the web. She is married and has two college-age children.

Christi Virgo joined our team in September 2008 as our in-house Graphic Designer, and the lucky person who uses the only office Mac. Her responsibility is to create ads for our clients in both print and on our websites. She also designs our business cards, sales flyers, forms, and menus. Christi is a graduate of Kendall College of Art & Design, and has done graphics work for over 20 years here in Ludington. She has two children.

Marie Fay came on board the summer of 2010 as our newest salesperson. Marie has been teaching kindergarten through high school the past 33 years. During this time, Marie was proud to be voted "Teacher of the Year" three times. Due to her many years of teaching, she is known by countless families and businesses in our community. Marie's enthusiasm and commitment to her work make her the perfect fit for our growing company. She is married with a grown son.

Marnie Nickelson began working with us in July 2011. She is in charge of optimizing content on our family of websites, as well as making web sales. She is currently in school at West Shore Community College, and will graduate spring of 2012. Marnie enjoys computers, knitting, scrapbooking, photography, and hanging with her kids. She is married and has four boys.

Will Thibault joined Advantage Marketing in 2011. He is responsible for maintaining and expanding the code behind our websites. Luckily for him, coding happens to be a hobby of his. He is currently studying for an Associates degree at West Shore Community College.

Marion Riedl joined our team in January 2012. Nicknamed “calendar girl,” she keeps our calendar up-to-date. Believing age will not catch up with her if she keeps busy enough, Marion retired in 2004 after 32 years as Ludington Daily News staff writer and did the LDN calendar for 6 years after that. She has her own craft business, Creations by MIR; is very involved with the Ludington Area Center for the Arts and helps at Ludington Gallery & Gifts. She is married, has 2 children and 3 grandchildren.

We feel honored to have the father and son team of Todd and Brad Reed provide us with most of the photography featured in our publications and on our websites. Their contribution to Advantage Marketing is evident on the covers of both the Ludington Area Visitors Guide and Map Guide. No one has done a better job of capturing the beauty of Ludington than the Reeds.