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Del Schwinke – 2012

Del Schwinke had an extensive career as an advertising executive with the St. Louis Globe-Democrat and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch for 22 years, finding the creative means to generate revenue for the newspapers until he left in 2000.

He then went to work for Geile-Leon Marketing Communications, and also served as an adjunct Professor at Washington University, where he enjoyed teaching the next generation of advertising and marketing executives. Del was very active in many local professional organizations throughout his career and was also a major supporter of our foundation.

Michael Roarty – 2007

Serving as vice president of marketing at Anheuser-Busch from 1977-1990, Michael Roarty was highly regarded throughout the nation’s advertising community and was a fixture in St. Louis because of his interest in sports and community involvement. He is also credited with the brewery’s “Know When to Say When” campaign. A-B’s market share went from 22-44% under his guidance, and overall sales more than doubled. Roarty was deeply involved in the brewery’s iconic campaigns, overseeing ad development and positioning of the various beer brands. Michael Roarty retired from Anheuser-Busch in 1994 and was inducted into the AAF Hall of Fame.

Bob Peirce – 2012

A veteran reporter with the Globe-Democrat and the Louisville Courier Journal, Bob Peirce was hired by Fleishman-Hillard in 1984. His efforts with the firm showed he was a great communications strategist, but his work for numerous clients really shined, especially in what he did for Monsanto.

Bob was awarded three Silver Anvils, the public relations industry’s highest honor, including one in 1985 for his work with Monsanto and what was then a budding concept called bio-engineering.

While Peirce might have shunned the notion that he actually coined “bio-technology,” his communications work in the mid-1980s certainly popularized the phrase “bio-tech.”

He helped people understand — and accept — what bio-technology was and the promise it held, especially in medicine and food production. In October 2007, Peirce became a director of public affairs at Monsanto.

James B. Orthwein – 2010

Beginning his advertising career at D’Arcy as an artist in 1947, James Orthwein rose to the company’s top job in 1970. As its leader, he is credited with turning the St. Louis company into an international organization, which became known as DM&M Worldwide. Under his chairmanship, the agency surpassed the billion dollar billing level. The agency’s account list was full of blue chip names: Coca-Cola, Mars Candy, Anheuser-Busch, Pontiac, Cadillac and General Tire. He retired from the CEO position at age 59 and began a second career in investments and as a short-time NFL team owner.

Franklin Oros – 2012

A 35-year veteran of the advertising and communications business in St. Louis. Franklin Oros was a creative director, broadcast and film producer, writer, musician and an educator. He headed the advertising curriculum in the Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts at Washington University, and was involved in curriculum development for an emerging media studies program in the college and graduate school of art.

Earlier in his career, Oros worked for Veritas, Creath Jacobsen and Gardner Advertising, where he produced a tremendous body work for many worldwide brands.

Mara “Mitch” Meyers – 2010

Hired by Anheuser-Busch to handle marketing for the launch of Bud Light, Mara “Mitch” Meyers became known as the creator of the Spuds MacKenzie character. She later joined Jack Thorwegen and opened Zipatoni, which grew to 350 employees at five locations. The St. Louis-based firm had annual billings in excess of $40 million. Under her leadership as CEO, Zipatoni picked up Miller Brewing, Snapple, Bacardi, eBay and Motorola among its many clients. For her marketing work, Meyers was named AdWeek’s Woman of the Year in 1987. She retired from Zipatoni in 2003 and became active on several business and advisory boards.