Halls of Fame

John Graham – 2007

John Graham joined Fleishman-Hillard in 1966 and rose through the ranks to become the agency’s CEO. He spent 30 years at the helm before restructuring the senior management team and stepping down as CEO in 2006. During his tenure, Fleishman-Hillard became the largest PR firm in the nation, based on annual revenues, with more than 80 offices around the world. He was named PR Professional of the Year by PRWeek in 2001 and received PRSA’s Gold Anvil for his contributions to the industry the following year. Graham was founder and served as chairman of the Council of Public Relations Firms.

Marty Hendin – 2008

Hendin joined the St. Louis Cardinals in 1973 as assistant public relations director. In 1995, he was named vice president of community relations in which he became responsible for representing the Cardinals at various events in the St. Louis-area and on many civic and charitable boards and committees. He also was responsible for special events such as opening day, anniversary activities and coordinating on-field, pre-game activities. A native St. Louisan, Marty was a graduate of University City High School and the University of Missouri-St. Louis. He was selected Ad Man of the Year in 1987 by the Advertising Club of Greater St. Louis and was named Good Guy by the St. Louis Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association in 2006.

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.”