Bird Dog Marketing Group, LLC (Lancaster, PA USA) is an independent marketing research firm specializing in field testing of Child-Resistant packages. We are a worldwide leader in the CR field, working with package manufacturers, pharmaceutical and consumer products companies, chemical companies, and many more.
Bird Dog Marketing Group, LLC is at the forefront of the Child-Resistant Package industry and offers services that no other testing agency has the ability to offer. We work with new concepts or re-qualify existing product lines. Whether CPSC, ISO, EN, BS, CSA, or EPA we can provide testing to meet your project requirements.
After testing thousands of new and existing package designs over the last 55 years, our experience places Bird Dog Marketing Group as the industry leader.
History
1969
Founded by Gene Miller as Gene Miller Testing Service (GMTS) in anticipation of the passage of the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA) of 1970, she became a pioneer and role model for the industry and female-owned businesses of her day.
1995
David S. Hipple, Gene's nephew, becomes CEO of Gene Miller Testing Services. A graduate of Northwestern University Medical School's Advanced Respiratory Care Practitioner Program, David has seen firsthand the effects of accidental child poisonings, and has dedicated his life to the prevention of such hardships.
2004
Mark Perkins, who holds a Master's Degree in Business Administration, joins the company as Co-CEO bringing his business expertise and extensive knowledge of OTC drug products, experience in pharmacy operations and management to the business. Gene Miller Testing Services becomes BDMG.
Today
Loyalty, trust and our resolve to provide the highest quality experience for our customers, as regional, national, and international expansion has allowed BDMG to rapidly become the market leader in Child-Resistant and Senior-Friendly protocol testing.
COMPANY HISTORY
GENE MILLER'S LEGACY CONTINUES TO SAVE CHILDREN'S LIVES EVERY DAY.
As a 55-year-old company, Bird Dog Marketing Group’s history runs deep with experience and knowledge. Gene Miller, our founder, was one of the few experts that participated in the development of testing protocols for the Poison Prevention Packaging Act of 1970 and sat in on the original Congressional hearings regarding the PPPA. Her vision, guidance and customer service will always be a part of our corporate culture.
With more than 55 years of experience, Bird Dog Marketing Group has played an integral role in the evolution of child-resistant package testing. Over the past five decades we have been hired to work with and consult on many of the top OTC and Pharmaceutical package brands you see on the shelf or behind the pharmacy counter today.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Gene’s passion for saving children’s lives through child-resistant protocol testing was passed on to the next generation when David S. Hipple, Gene's nephew, became CEO of Gene Miller Testing Services in 1995.
In 2004, Mark D. Perkins joined David as Co-CEO of the company and the name transitioned to Bird Dog Marketing Group, LLC.
David S. Hipple is an accomplished business leader with over 30 years of experience in child-resistant (CR) package testing and safety. A graduate of Northwestern University Medical School’s Advanced Respiratory Care Practitioner Program, David has witnessed firsthand the devastating consequences of accidental child poisonings—an experience that has fueled his lifelong commitment to improving packaging safety and preventing such tragedies.
David served as CEO of Gene Miller Testing Services and is currently Co-CEO of Bird Dog Marketing Group, LLC, a global leader in CR package testing. He has worked closely with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), helping to evolve CR/SF (child-resistant/senior-friendly) testing standards in response to both industry advancements and global challenges, including pandemics. Clients value his deep understanding of CR/SF compliance and trust his strategic, data-driven recommendations backed by robust risk assessment analytics.
As Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Bird Dog Laboratories, David combines his technical lab expertise, extensive pharmaceutical industry network, and strong business leadership to grow and diversify the company’s testing services. Under his guidance, Bird Dog Laboratories continues to provide critical safety testing that meets the highest standards across industries.
David's unwavering passion for safety remains the driving force behind his work—focused on protecting children and consumers by ensuring that packaging consistently meets and exceeds the most rigorous safety standards. His leadership and innovation continue to shape the success of Bird Dog Marketing Group and reinforce its position as a trusted leader in pharmaceutical and consumer packaging safety testing.
Mark D. Perkins is a seasoned business leader with over 20 years of experience in child-resistant (CR) package testing, complemented by deep expertise in marketing, sales, and management. He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Lebanon Valley College and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania—an academic foundation that has been instrumental in shaping his successful career.
Mark serves as Co-CEO of Bird Dog Marketing Group, LLC, a global leader in CR package testing. Over the past five years, he has worked extensively with USP <671> testing, applying his expertise in testing protocols and technical report development to help clients achieve regulatory precision and ensure product integrity.
As Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Bird Dog Laboratories, Mark brings strategic vision and strong business acumen to the company’s mission of advancing critical testing services across the packaging industry.
With substantial experience in pharmacy operations and over-the-counter (OTC) drug products, Mark offers a unique and practical perspective on packaging safety and regulatory compliance. His deep understanding of evolving industry requirements enables him to guide clients through complex regulatory landscapes and demonstrate how Bird Dog’s testing protocols consistently meet—and often exceed—industry standards.
Driven by a passion for innovation and a commitment to excellence, Mark continues to lead initiatives that elevate both Bird Dog Marketing Group and the broader field of pharmaceutical and consumer packaging safety.
MANAGEMENT TEAM
Michael B. Horvath, Vice President of Sales, joined Bird Dog Marketing Group, LLC (BDMG) in early 2015 as Director of Sales. He brings extensive experience in sales, marketing, customer service, and packaging, gained from his work in the pharmaceutical and consumer products industries. Michael is committed to driving the growth of BDMG by upholding our core values: delivering value-driven solutions, maintaining a customer-centric focus, and fostering long-term, meaningful partnerships with both current and prospective clients.
Beth L. Mack joined Bird Dog Marketing Group, LLC (BDMG) in late 2019 as Director of Marketing. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Delaware and brings over 25 years of experience in sales, marketing, and client development. Beth plays a key role in expanding BDMG’s presence in new markets and sharing the company’s story with a broader audience. Her previous experience as a site proctor for BDMG gives her unique insight into client needs and enables her to foster stronger communication with clients, site partners, prospective partners, and internal team members.
Why Choose Bird Dog Marketing Group:
- Superior Customer Service
- Risk Analytics - we assure cost effective protocol testing based on risk assessment analytics
- Web-Based Reporting System
- Regional Testing
- No subcontracted employees
- Accreditation
- BDMG has over 55 years of providing service exclusively to the CR-SF industry
