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Karen Marshall – 2009

Karen Marshall was in the newspaper business 18 years before she joined Hill and Knowlton’s St. Louis office as an account executive in 1984. There she quickly rose through the ranks, serving as interim general manager of the local office when called upon to do so. From there she went to Monsanto, serving as the manager of their public relations efforts to introduce plant biotechnology. She commuted to Europe for 11 months working on regulatory approval for the company before returning full-time to the corporate headquarters. In 2000 Karen moved up to the position of Director of Public Relations, followed by a move to Director of Industry Affairs. She retired in 2008. In 1990, Karen served as the president of the St. Louis chapter of PRSA.

Archie Lee – 2008

Archie Lee, former executive with D’Arcy St. Louis, has been credited as having done more than any other individual to popularize Coca-Cola. He is known for introducing practices now basic in advertising: a theme for the printed message and a pattern for the billboard, with emphasis on repetition. For much of his time at D’Arcy, Lee was the creative chief who oversaw the Coca-Cola account and created such memorable slogans for the company as “the pause that refreshes.” He also helped develop a more realistic and symbolic Santa Claus to include in Coca-Cola advertising and is credited as the inspiration behind the “classic” Santa Claus Coke print ad.

Steve Kopcha – 2009

Steve Kopcha joined Monsanto’s corporate advertising department following military service, but his subsequent work at D’Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles is what earned him Clio Awards and citations of excellence from International Broadcasters. His creative and supervisory work at D’Arcy was on major international accounts like Anheuser-Busch, Colgate-Palmolive, M&M/Mars, FTD, Cadillac, Buick and Pontiac. The agency sent him to work in their offices in Paris, London, Vienna, Mexico City, New York and Detroit and promoted him to executive vice president/chief creative officer. He also worked for McCann-Erickson in Detroit for several years. The Wall Street Journal named him as a member of its Creative Leaders.

Bob Kochan – 2008

Bob Kochan founded Kochan & Company Advertising in 1987. The agency provided advertising and marketing services for a variety of well-known clients including The Pasta House Co. Restaurants, Argosy Casino and the Missouri Valley Conference among others. Kochan spent the first 16 years of his career with the Six Flags organization in St. Louis, overseeing the public relations, marketing and entertainment departments. Bob was a past president of the Advertising Club of Greater St. Louis, leading the organization in 1999 and 2000 during its 100th anniversary. He donated much of his time and his agency’s work to local causes, including the preservation of St. Louis media history.

Al Kerth – 2009

Al Kerth’s job with Fleishman-Hillard put him in a position to make a difference in the community. He later became secretary of one of the firm’s clients, the influential Civic Progress organization. Through those two affiliations, Kerth would have a major influence over such projects as the construction of the area’s light-rail system, bringing pro football back to St. Louis and building the stadium for football,. In addition, he served as a board member for the Salvation Army, Laumeier Sculpture Park and Forest Park Forever. Former Senator John Danforth said Kerth was “St. Louis’ most important civic asset.”

Glennon Jamboretz – 2009

Glennon Jamboretz began his advertising career in St. Louis with Gardner Advertising as manager of the Jack Daniel’s account. After working at Leo Burnett’s Chicago and New York offices, he returned to St. Louis and joined Stolz Advertising. Within four years he was president of the firm and later, as CEO, he changed the name to the Glennon Companies. Glennon did work for national firms like Robert Mondavi Winery, Nestle, Midas, McDonald’s, Monsanto and Anheuser-Busch. He was president of the Ad Club of St. Louis and other trade organizations as well, and he dedicated much of his time to serving on boards of local civic organizations. Jamboretz later established Lafayette Partners, which specialized in public policy consultancy.