Halls of Fame

Alfred Fleishman – 2006

Al Fleishman was co-founder of one of the world’s largest public relations firms, Fleishman-Hillard. Fleishman and longtime friend Robert Hillard created their firm in 1946. Fleishman was considered one of the founding fathers of the public relations industry. He wrote a regular column, “Common Sense Communications,” for the St. Louis Business Journal. The column reflected his knowledge and insight of how people communicate with each other and the importance of effective communication in our lives.

James B. Orthwein – 2010

Beginning his advertising career at D’Arcy as an artist in 1947, James Orthwein rose to the company’s top job in 1970. As its leader, he is credited with turning the St. Louis company into an international organization, which became known as DM&M Worldwide. Under his chairmanship, the agency surpassed the billion dollar billing level. The agency’s account list was full of blue chip names: Coca-Cola, Mars Candy, Anheuser-Busch, Pontiac, Cadillac and General Tire. He retired from the CEO position at age 59 and began a second career in investments and as a short-time NFL team owner.

Robyn Frankel – 2010

Prior to establishing Frankel Public Relations in 1995, Robyn Frankel was Executive Vice President and General Manager for the St. Louis offices of Aaron Cushman & Associates and for Edelman Public Relations Worldwide. Before joining Edelman she was an independent consultant for 11 years. Earlier she had worked in public relations at Drohlich, Hughes Advertising and Stolz Advertising. She also offered pro-bono public relations services to many non-profit organizations. Robyn was elected Chairman of the Friends Organization of the Danforth Plant Science Center, and previously served for two years as Chairman of the Danforth Center’s Conversations programs. She was the first woman to serve as executive director of the Clayton Chamber of Commerce. In addition, she was a three-term board member of the Community College Foundation and graduated from Leadership St. Louis and Coro Women in Leadership.

Bob Peirce – 2012

A veteran reporter with the Globe-Democrat and the Louisville Courier Journal, Bob Peirce was hired by Fleishman-Hillard in 1984. His efforts with the firm showed he was a great communications strategist, but his work for numerous clients really shined, especially in what he did for Monsanto.

Bob was awarded three Silver Anvils, the public relations industry’s highest honor, including one in 1985 for his work with Monsanto and what was then a budding concept called bio-engineering.

While Peirce might have shunned the notion that he actually coined “bio-technology,” his communications work in the mid-1980s certainly popularized the phrase “bio-tech.”

He helped people understand — and accept — what bio-technology was and the promise it held, especially in medicine and food production. In October 2007, Peirce became a director of public affairs at Monsanto.

Charles “Chuck” Fruit – 2009

Charles “Chuck” Fruit was known in the national ad community for his work with two of the country’s top beverage companies, Anheuser-Busch and Coca-Cola. He’s also remembered for being one of the first ad execs in the country to recognize the potential of ESPN by signing a $10 million ad deal with the fledgling net giving A-B beer exclusivity. He worked in the brewery’s marketing department for 15 years Fruit is credited being the first to see the value in logo placement in televised sporting events, putting a Budweiser logo on the posts of a boxing ring, and he is credited with playing a major role in the rollout of Bud Light, making it the nation’s best-selling beer. In his work with Coke, Fruit oversaw the company’s Olympics and World Cup promotions.

Susan Gallagher – 2009

Susan Gallagher became the voice and face of AmerenUE, after she joined the company as manager of corporate communications in 1991. Prior to that, she had worked as a journalist and was involved in investor and media relations for financial institutions in other cities. When she arrived in St. Louis in 1989, she worked in Fleishman-Hillard’s investor and media relations unit. There her media relations efforts helped win the 1992 Silver Anvil from PRSA. At Ameren, she eventually became the company’s director of corporate communications, overseeing advertising, internal and external communications, as well as media relations. Susan also did community volunteer work. She was named Tutor of the Year with the YMCA’s literary organization and was a board member of EarthWays House and Grace Hill Neighborhood Services.