The Direct Marketing Association has announced its 2008 Hall of Fame inductees. They will be inducted during the DMA08 show in Las Vegas at an October 14 luncheon.
Among the inductees is Andi Emerson, the late founder, president and chairwoman of the board of the John Caples International Awards. In its 31st year, and with international chairs in 53 countries, the Caples Awards, which are awarded to outstanding direct marketing creative campaigns annually, is funded by industry agencies, clients and suppliers; run by industry volunteers; and judged by more than 100 active, senior-level, international creative workers. Haymarket Media, DMNews’ parent company, took over management of the awards show, named for copywriter John Caples, earlier this year. In addition to creating the awards, Emerson wrote and published articles, taught classes at New York University and lectured at universities around the globe.
The other nominees include Jan Brandt, currently vice chair emeritus of America Online Inc. (AOL) a member of investment fund Pilot Group and chairman of North American Membership Group, a portfolio company of Pilot Group. Prior to this, Brandt served as vice chair and CMO for AOL where she oversaw the companywide strategic focus on marketing for America Online and its brands. She has also been active in both national and international philanthropy and currently serves on the board of directors of Women for Women International. She served on the DMA board of directors for seven years as well.
Charles Williams, founder and director emeritus of multichannel high-end cooking supplier Williams-Sonoma, has worked with the company since he purchased its first store in 1956. In 1971, its first catalog that was mailed to 5,000 homes, and today the company operates more than 250 stores across the US and Canada. Williams has served on the boards of a number of culinary organizations and was recognized by Inc. magazine for his entrepreneurship.
Also nominated from Williams-Sonoma is W. Howard Lester, the company’s chairman of the board and CEO, who purchased the company in 1978. He was reappointed as CEO in July 2006, following a previous term from 1979–2001. Lester has served on several industry and philanthropic boards during his career, including the International Association of Shopping Centers, the Retail Institute of Santa Clara University, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the Boy Scouts of America.
He presently serves on the Executive Council of the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center, and the Advisory Board of the Walter A. Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley.
