Advertising

Suzi Mahe – 2018

Suzi Mahe started out professionally as an ad copywriter but an offer from KPLR in 1984 cemented her relationship with the television industry. She spent the rest of her career promoting local stations, rising to the top of her employers’ creative services divisions. After serving KPLR for 24 years she took on the same duties additionally for KTVI after the stations merged their operations in 2008. Her duties also included the local promotion of the Fox Broadcast and CW TV networks and her stations’ four local digital channels. Her team’s work garnered nearly 100 awards in the TV industry.

Dick Vinyard – 2019

Dick Vinyard got his degree in journalism and dedicated his professional life of 50 years to the ad business. After working for three major agencies, he founded Vinyard & Lee & Partners in 1971. His work included the development of advertising for some of the area’s top companies including Wetterau Foods, Anheuser-Busch, Purina Dog Chow, and Ravarino & Freschi pasta. He sold his agency to TBWA and later started an ad consulting firm, which he ran until his retirement in 2012. He also served as chairman of the Missouri Council of the American Association of Advertising Agencies

Don Stork – 2009

Don Stork joined Gardner Advertising in 1964 as a media buyer. By 1972, he had risen to senior planning and management positions, but he soon was part of founding management for a new Gardner division, Advanswers. By 1979 he was president of that division, and the company became one of the top ten media service companies in the country. He stayed with Advanswers as president through new ownership and a name change, retiring in 2004, but he stayed active as a consultant with Media Management, Inc. Don’s volunteer work included the St. Louis Art Museum Development Council and the Dean’s Advisory Council of the SIU School of Communications. That school honored him with its Alumni Achievement Award and its Journalism Alumnus of the Year Award. He was also presented with the Alpha Delta Sigma Aid to Advertising Education Award for Advanswers’ work toward furthering advertising as a college career field.

Bill Tyler – 2012

Bill Tyler said his teaching career was interrupted by 30 years in the advertising profession. He taught at the Mizzou J-School while getting his master’s degree, then joined D’Arcy as a junior copywriter. Three years later he was Vice President and Copy Director. He later served as Creative Director there, as well as at Gardner Advertising. He crossed over to the client side as Pizza Hut’s Advertising VP. But his calling was creative, which he pursued in his own business, TylerTOO Productions. Bill returned to his true passion as the “professional in the classroom” at Saint Louis University, becoming a full professor and Ad Dad to his students. He measured his most important accomplishments by the successful careers realized by former students. As an important influence for a much younger audience, Bill authored children’s books to inspire reading among preschoolers.

Helen Weiss – 2007

For decades, Helen Weiss’ name was synonymous with Famous Barr. Her work in public relations for the company kept Famous Barr foremost in the public’s awareness. Prior to the city’s huge July 4th celebrations, Helen helped organize Famous Barr’s riverfront celebrations from 1964-1978, drawing crowds of over 500,000 each year. She also arranged the store’s support of the annual book fair and the symphony’s Gypsy Caravan. When Federated Department Stores acquired Famous Barr, Helen Weiss was part of the package. Her numerous awards for community service include The Leadership in Civil Liberties Award from the ACLU and the Women in Communications Quest Award.

Harry B. Wilson – 2012

Harry B. Wilson was a communications pioneer.

He joined Fleishman-Hillard in 1953, just a few years after the agency got off the ground.

He used his listening, writing and interviewing skills acquired during his years as a reporter with the St. Louis Globe-Democrat to begin making his mark in what was then the new field of “public relations.”

Wilson was secretary to the members of Civic Progress, where he served as a powerful voice of reason.

As chairman of Fleishman-Hillard from 1974 until he retired in 1989, Wilson played a key role in the expansion into a global powerhouse. He is best remembered for his attention to detail, insistence on quality writing, clear, bold thinking, and emphasis on excellent client service.