Halls of Fame

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.

Arthur Wright – 2010

The late U.S. Senator Tom Eagleton called Arthur Wright “Mr. St. Louis.” From his involvement in all phases of the development of the Gateway Arch to his board membership in Downtown St. Louis, Art Wright was lauded for his civic work. He continually worked to improve the quality of life in St. Louis through numerous board memberships. In public relations, he began at Fleishman-Hillard, then went to Pet, Inc., as corporate director of PR. He left to create Wright-Manning Public Relations. He was also general manager of the St. Louis office of Hill & Knowlton. He served the Public Relations Society of America as Past President of the St. Louis chapter, past National Chairman of the Investor Relations Section and past National Assembly Delegate. For his work within the community, he was given the Leadership St. Louis Award.

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.