AD / PR HOF

Robert Hillard – 2007

When Robert Hillard teamed up with Alfred Fleishman in 1946 to form a public relations firm, Hillard’s creative background in writing and creativity helped impress the clients whom Fleishman brought into the firm. He’d been a reporter for the St. Louis Star-Times, but the PR business offered the kind of challenges and rewards he’d been seeking. Serving clients like Union Electric and Anheuser-Busch, the small Fleishman-Hillard firm grew quickly, and when Hillard stepped down as CEO in 1974, the company was on its way to becoming the largest PR firm in the U.S. He retired from the business in 1982.

Ruth Jacobson – 2009

Ruth Jacobson’s career at Fleishman-Hillard spanned 45 years of developing special events and public affairs projects. For her efforts, the company presented her with its Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998. Several years later, Fleishman-Hillard officially recognized her as one of its founders, naming one of its headquarters conference rooms for her. Besides her laundry list of major accomplishments at Fleishman-Hillard, Ruth was honored as the first female member of the prestigious Noonday Club in St. Louis. She was a frequent guest lecturer on public relations and on women’s issues at the area’s universities. Her listing of pro bono community work was extensive, and she was a member of the International Women’s Forum, from whom she received their “Woman Who Makes A Difference” award.

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.

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.”

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.

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.