“These two men have influenced so many businesses throughout their impressive careers, and today, they continue to inspire generations,” said Barbara Parker, awards programs director.  “Rance Crain and Howard Draft are two marketing veterans we are proud to induct into DMA’s 2010 Hall of Fame.”

Both Crain and Draft will be inducted into DMA’s Hall of Fame on Tuesday, October 12, during the DMA2010 Conference & Exhibition, the Global ROI Marketing Event, taking place October 9-14 in San Francisco, California.

Established in 1978, the DMA Hall of Fame honors direct marketing professionals whose outstanding career contributions have led to the practice, growth, and stature of the direct marketing community.  Each year, individuals are chosen to receive this prestigious honor for their accomplishments in marketing to customers, donors, and/or prospects, and for breaking new ground with creative, response techniques, and/or analytic measurement capabilities.  A committee of judges reviews each nominee and gives recommendations to the DMA Board of Directors.

Rance Crain

President, Crain Communications Inc. and Editor-in-Chief, Advertising Age, Crain’s Chicago Business, Crain’s New York Business, and TelevisionWeek

Crain began his career as a reporter for Advertising Age in its Washington bureau and later moved to the publication’s New York and Chicago offices.  He founded four of the company’s 31 titles:  Pensions & Investments; Crain’s Chicago Business; Crain’s New York Business; and Electronic Media.  He was named senior editor of Advertising Age in 1965, was appointed first editor of Business Insurance in 1967, and became editorial director of Crain Communications in 1971 before adding the title of company president to his repertoire in 1973.

Previously Crain served 13 years as a board member at Lee Enterprises, a New York Stock Exchange Newspaper company in Davenport, Iowa.  Today, Crain continues to lead Advertising Age and writes a bi-weekly column for the leading industry publication.

Howard Draft

Chairman of Draftfcb

Howard Draft is a visionary entrepreneur who has navigated his way through multiple marketing revolutions.  In 2006 he was named chairman and CEO of Draftfcb after two acknowledged industry leaders, Draft and FCB, were fused together as one entity.   Previously, he was chairman and chief executive officer of Draft.  As one of the agency’s original 13 founders in 1978, Draft rose rapidly through the ranks, becoming chairman and CEO within 10 years. 

Today he is responsible for setting the organization’s strategic direction, managing key multinational client relationships, new business development and industry outreach. 

Through the years, marketers have turned to Draft for his thought leadership in the art and science of connecting with consumers.  His insights regularly appear in leading industry publications and he is frequently invited to speak on advertising issues, trends, and the future of marketing.  He has also served as jury president for the Direct Lions at the International Advertising Festival in Cannes.

In 2007, Draft was elected to the board of directors of the Ad Council.  He also extends his knowledge and expertise to several philanthropic organizations benefiting children, including Chicago’s After School Matters and Pediatric AIDS Chicago.  In 2010, he was honored with the Maxwell “Mac” Dane Award for Humanitarian Excellence by the UJA-Federation of New York.  He serves as a trustee of the Francis W. Parker School and is an outside director of OptionsXpress Holdings, Inc.

About the DMA Hall of Fame

DMA’s Hall of Fame honors those who have made outstanding contributions to the practice, growth, and stature of direct marketing.  Since it was established in 1978, DMA has honored 97 men and women whose vision and leadership have helped shape today’s data driven, multichannel marketing profession.  For more information, including a full list of 1978-2009 honorees, visit www.dmahalloffame.org.

About DMA2010 Conference & Exhibition

The DMA2010 Annual Conference & Exhibition is the world’s largest gathering of cross-media/channel marketing professionals.  DMA2010, which will be held October 9-14 in San Francisco, will feature keynote presentations, educational sessions, roundtables, case studies, white papers, and research reports.  DMA2010’s exhibit hall will feature hundreds of exhibiting companies.  For additional information, or to register for the six-day multichannel marketing event of the year, please visit www.dma2010.org.

About Direct Marketing Association (DMA)

The Direct Marketing Association (www.the-dma.org) is the leading global trade association of businesses and nonprofit organizations using and supporting multichannel direct marketing tools and techniques.  DMA advocates standards for responsible marketing, promotes relevance as the key to reaching consumers with desirable offers, and provides cutting-edge research, education, and networking opportunities to improve results throughout the end-to-end direct marketing process.  Founded in 1917, DMA today represents companies from dozens of vertical industries in the US and 48 other nations, including nearly half of the Fortune 100 companies, as well as nonprofit organizations.

#  #  #