AD / PR HOF

Gerry Mandel – 2015

Gerry Mandel spent four years working in television in St. Louis and 35 years at ad agencies, retiring in 1994. He met his wife Mary Lee at the TV gig, but he’s remembered for his extensive contributions to advertising at the D’Arcy, Roman and Gardner ad agencies.

Mandel’s work and creative influences were channeled into national, award-winning advertising for D-X Gasoline, Budweiser and Busch beers, Red Lobster, Mercury Outboard Motors, Southwestern Bell, Busch Gardens and Purina Pet Foods. Along the way he served as a writer/producer, creative director, group creative director and senior vice-president/creative director. During his time as creative director for the Budweiser account, the beer was the best-selling brew in the nation.

Mandel also found time to teach at Webster University, create short stories, write plays and win awards for his creative writing, and he was very active in efforts to preserve local advertising history.

David Erich – 2016

David Erich began his lifelong career on the St. Louis advertising scene following his service in the Korean War. That career took him to several of the market’s major players: Weintraub, Winius Brandon, BHN and Kelly Zahrndt Kelly. He also served as director of Advertising for Unigroup, retiring in 2006. In 1971 he managed advertising and promotion for the launch of Six Flags over Mid-America. David was president of the Ad Club in 1989-90 at a time when St. Louis agencies were closing or shrinking, and he guided the club through that difficult transition.

Dan Forrestal – 2016

Dan Forrestal began his career in St. Louis as a print journalist for the Globe-Democrat, where he worked for 19 years in sports, features, news and assistant managing editor. He also served as a war correspondent for that newspaper and for CBS Radio. Dan joined Monsanto in 1947 as the assistant public relations director. Twenty seven years later he retired as Director of Corporate Public Relations, having earned the collective respect of his peers and members of the news media. Monsanto presented him with an unprecedented award, naming him the “Conscience of the Company.” He chaired various national public relations societies and in 1974 he received PRSA’a Golden Anvil Award  for lifetime achievement. Dan was co-author of the college text, “Public Relations Handbook,” as well as a number of corporate histories including “Faith, Hope and $5,000,” chronicling the first 75 years of Monsanto. 

Sid Savan – 2016

Sid Savan made a name for himself by spawning memorable ads, starting his career Clayton Davis & Associates in the 1950s. By 1958, he had opened his own agency, and in 1972, it became The Savan Company. Over the years, he partnered with many other ad men, but the Savan creative approach always came through. His success with the Community Federal Savings and Loan account led to business with S&Ls all over the country, and his local radio ads earned him several Marconi Awards. Savan also invested a lot of his time and energy in his teaching at UMSL, grooming the next generation of ad people. He retired in 1988 after working in the local ad business for over 30 years

Jack Thorwegen – 2016

Jack Thorwegen bounced around in art, design and retail before jumping into the field of advertising. After cutting his teeth in agency work he started his own shop, Zipatoni, in 1985, with four employees. The firm quickly became the hottest creative shop in town, and by 2000, Promo Magazine named Zipatoni Agency of the Year, with over 350 employees and offices in 6 cities. Three years later Zipatoni was sold and Jack retired from advertising, for a short time, only to start up another boutique agency in 2013 which he called the Proof Agency. He dedicated some of his spare time to working with the American Cancer Society on fundraising efforts.

Mary Lou Hess – 2017

Mary Lou Hess put her degree in journalism and advertising to good use throughout her entire career in St. Louis. She wrote ad copy and also worked as a fashion model for Stix, Baer & Fuller, staged fashion shows, and handled marketing for the May Company before becoming director of marketing for the soon-to-be-opened Plaza Frontenac. For her work there she was honored by the National Research Bureau, and, locally, her name became synonymous with her employer among members of the press who worked with her. She was the first woman to be elected president of the St. Louis Ad Club.