DMEF Honors 'Rising Stars' of Direct Marketing at Awards Dinner

New York City, June 20, 2007 — The stars shone outside and in last night as the Direct Marketing Educational Foundation (DMEF) honored a top corporation and outstanding individuals in direct marketing, recognizing that their best may be yet to come. Specifically, DMEF honored Time Consumer Marketing (TCM), Inc., the consumer marketing division of Time Inc., with its first Corporate Commitment Award, and four "under-40" direct marketing professionals with the DMEF’s inaugural Rising Stars Award.

DMEF presented the awards during a "Rising Stars"-themed event, its New York Awards Dinner, which was held last night at The Boathouse in Central Park. The event was held in conjunction with the Direct Marketing Association’s (DMA) 2007 DM Days New York Conference & Expo, which is being held at Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City through June 21.

In his opening remarks, DMEF Chairman and DMRA Chief Marketing Officer Allen W. Dyon said, "The underlying theme of this evening is the promise of tomorrow. It is my honor to pay tribute to Time Consumer Marketing and our four Rising Stars honorees, who represent characteristics that will ensure the future of direct marketing: Innovation, creativity, team spirit, combined with an indomitable spirit to succeed."

The DMEF’s Corporate Commitment Award honors companies that regularly demonstrate a commitment to excellence in all areas of direct marketing education among new and upcoming talent, and that consistently participate in activities that foster and promote excellence — for today and tomorrow.

Direct Marketing Association President & CEO John A. Greco, Jr. presented the award to Brian Wolfe, president of Time Consumer Marketing.

"This award focuses on the importance of preparing the world of direct marketing for tomorrow," Greco said. "That means preparing people who will be capable of stepping up to the challenges we face and maximizing the opportunities." On this front, Greco said, Time Consumer Marketing has "earned a solid reputation based on a longstanding history as a place where young talent is identified, developed, and encouraged. They truly regard nurturing talent as a business imperative. And instead of lip service, they have consistently made it one of their highest priorities over the years."

In addition to being aged 40 and under, the DMEF’s new Rising Star Award is presented to those professionals who demonstrate superior leadership abilities, which include a strong track record of outstanding results, as well as a stellar reputation for "giving back" through direct marketing education, exemplified by activities such as teaching and mentoring.

This year’s four Rising Star honorees are:

• Austin Bliss, Co-founder and President, FreshAddress, Inc.

• Kimberly Miller, Marketing Director, Time Consumer Marketing/Real Simple and InStyle

• William Misloski, eMarketing Director, Orbitz

• Daniel Parzych, Director of Analytics, Alliant Cooperative Data Solutions

DMEF board members Jack E. Rosenfeld, chairman of Potpourri Group, Inc., and Brian Kurtz, executive vice president of Boardroom, Inc., presented the awards.

"These worthy individuals are the true leaders of tomorrow," Rosenfeld said. "We’re pleased that the DMEF is allowing us the opportunity to honor the ‘Rising Stars’ of the direct marketing community. They are the ambassadors now, affecting the corporate culture that plays such a critical role in the development of young talent. Through their leadership, they can ‘pay it forward’ and help educate more young people about direct marketing."

"Nothing speaks to the future of this great community of direct marketers than the hope and opportunity that these individuals represent," added Kurtz.

While the dinner guests were present to toast the evening’s honorees, DMEF President Terri L. Bartlett pointed out that, by attending, they were also supporting direct marketing education. Event proceeds, she noted, support DMEF educational programs.

"DMEF recently introduced the Direct Marketing Leadership Development Program — a program which offers qualified applicants the opportunity to acquire valuable work experience during a unique 12-month program in New York City, kicking off on July 16," she said. "Associates in the program will receive exceptional training in multichannel direct marketing practices through four assignments — three months at each of the following corporate sponsors: Goodman&Company, Harte-Hanks, Inc., Scholastic, and Wunderman."

"I love talking about this program because it represents so much of what the DMEF is all about," Bartlett continued. "Our vision is to be recognized among educators as the go-to source for the world’s most innovative and effective educational tools and programs, and be recognized by companies in the field as the source to deliver world-class entry-level talent in direct/interactive marketing."

"All of these ideas would be nothing if it weren’t for the way you bring the DMEF alive," Bartlett told DMEF’s guests. "Your participation, your commitment, your support are what makes this organization what it is and what it can be."

Headquartered in New York City, the Direct Marketing Educational Foundation (DMEF) works to attract, educate, and place top college students by continuously improving the teaching of world-class direct/interactive marketing and, thereby, expanding and enriching the talent pool of trained, market-ready direct marketers. Established in 1966 by members of the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) who wanted to give something back to the community, DMEF is today a separate, 501(3)(c) nonprofit corporation that is supported solely by tax-deductible contributions from individuals, companies, and regional clubs and associations. Funds raised go toward a broad range of world-class educational programs.

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