DMEF To Honor David W. Florence and The Martin Agency

The Direct Marketing Educational Foundation (DMEF) is presenting two prestigious awards. It will honor David W. Florence, founder and chairman of Direct Media, Inc., with the DMEF Edward N. Mayer Educational Leadership Award, and The Martin Agency with the DMEF Corporate Award. Both awards will be presented at the DMEF 29th Annual Awards Dinner on October 14 in San Francisco, during the DMA06 conference taking place October 14 - 19.

2006 DMEF Edward N. Mayer Educational Leadership Award Recipient: David W. Florence

Throughout his career, former DMEF and DMA board member David W. Florence has made significant contributions to the advancement of direct marketing education. Through his personal support, unique perspective, and the wealth of knowledge he has shared, he has helped direct marketing education and the DMEF to expand.

David Florence is the founder and chairman of Direct Media, Inc., a leading mailing list and alternative media broker and manager headquartered in Greenwich, CT. Under his leadership, Direct Media has been a key DMEF supporter, and Florence himself has personally and generously supported DMEF for many years.

"In order to ensure the future vitality of the direct marketing practice, the art and science of direct needs to be taught at the college level," Florence said. "Marketing is going direct, and graduates who have grounding in our techniques will fill a growing need, and will have a competitive edge in the marketplace. It's a necessity that we all support this field, and I'm honored to play a role in doing so."

Florence has served as trustee of the Direct Marketing Educational Foundation and as director of the Direct Marketing Association. He also served as director of the Advertising Mail Marketing Association.

Past Awards

David Florence has received many awards and honors over the years, including the Direct Marketing Club of New York's Silver Apple Award in 1987, the DMA List Leader of the Year Award in 1993, the DMA Insert Media council's "Legend" Award in 1997, and the Direct Marketing Club of New York's Mal Dunn Leadership Award in 1998. In 2004, he was elected to the DMA Direct Marketing Hall of Fame.

DMEF presents this award annually to the direct marketer who has helped advance college and university-level direct marketing education.

Named in honor of Ed Mayer, who influenced, inspired, and taught many direct marketers, this award honors an industry leader who, like Mayer, has supported direct/interactive marketing education.

Contributions of personal commitment, personal or corporate financial assistance, creation of effective programs, concepts, teaching methods or teaching materials, instruction of college students or professors, or any other contribution in which an individual has effectively assisted or promoted the objectives of Direct Marketing Educational Foundation are among the criteria for receiving this mark of distinction. Nominations are submitted by peers and reviewed by DMEF's Board of Trustees, which selects the winner.

Past recipients include Dick and Mary Cabela, Katie Muldoon, Stephen Polk, Marcus Wilhelm, and David Shepard.

2006 DMEF Corporate Leadership Award Recipient: The Martin Agency

The Martin Agency has been a stalwart supporter of direct marketing education for many years. Since 1988, the company, in partnership with DMEF, has hosted an annual agency seminar at its Richmond, VA headquarters. For the first several years of its operation, the program focused on college undergraduate students. Now, in an effort to reach even more students, they have turned their attention to professors. The seminar, which uses client examples, offers professors exciting best practices to use in the classroom.

Twice a year, The Martin Agency sponsors The Student Workshop in which fifteen students participate in an agency presentation and client project over a 10-day period, creating a fully integrated advertising campaign. The agency also participates in Virginia Commonwealth University's Ad Center, as well as hosting interns and donating scholarships annually.

"I am delighted and flattered at receiving the DMEF Award," said John Adams, Chairman & CEO, The Martin Agency. "Direct marketing is an important part of our business offering and we strongly believe in the need to educate the next generation of marketers. Our staff is committed to making that happen. To have received the award from DMEF is a great honor. DMEF is a great group and we've truly enjoyed our long-term partnership with this worthy organization."

The DMEF Corporate Leadership Award honors a corporation that has made significant contributions to direct and interactive marketing. The Award also recognizes corporations that offer their own employees multiple opportunities for personal and professional improvement and are dedicated to diversity, inclusion, and continuing education.

Past recipients include AXCIOM, America Online, Kraft, Experian, Allstate Insurance Company, and R.R. Donnelley.

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