Robert Stolz – 2013
Bob Stolz’s Washington University Professor and mentor, Frank Cornwell, encouraged Bob to replace him as Advertising Director of Brown Shoe Company in 1946. By age 29, Bob had become President of The Ad Club of St. Louis. At Brown Shoe Company, Bob worked closely with the Leo Burnett Agency and helped produce the national children’s television show, Smilin’ Ed’s Gang, sponsored by Brown Shoe Company’s Buster Brown Brand. Bob resigned as Vice President and Director of Brown Shoe in 1966, founding his own agency, Stolz Advertising Company. Starting with only two accounts, Executive Leasing (Enterprise Rent-A-Car) and Schnucks, the company grew to become the third-largest advertising agency in St. Louis and was a regional agency for McDonald’s. After selling Stolz Advertising Agency to his employees in 1986, Bob founded Indian Paintbrush, Inc., which published St. Louis Seasons Magazine. Bob was a director of the ANA and the 4A’s and was a member of the group that founded Fair St. Louis.