2009-06-11 17:55:31 - On Thursday, June 4, the Philadelphia Direct Marketing Association (http://www.the-pdma.org) honored its 2009 Direct Marketer of the Year and made presentations to winners of the “Benjamin Franklin Award for Direct Marketing Excellence” (also known as the “Benny”) at the Farmhouse at People’s Light in Malvern, PA. Award-winning journalist, Tracey Matisak, served as Mistress of Ceremonies.

Philadelphia, PA – June 11, 2009 –

PDMA President, Judy Arnold, presented this year’s Direct Marketer of the Year award to Scott Schultz, president of Schultz & Williams. The criteria for the award are: industry prominence regionally or nationally; recognizable contributions to the industry; business building in the marketplace; and a reputation for integrity.

While developing a successful career in development, marketing, and government services, Scott Schultz envisioned a non-traditional consulting firm to help nonprofit organizations meet their distinctive challenges. In 1987, Scott founded his company, Schultz & Williams, on the philosophy that development, marketing, and management must be pursued collectively in order to achieve institutional goals.

Today, Schultz & Williams has turned this philosophy into a successful business model

that provides strategic and innovative solutions to hundreds of nonprofit organizations
across the nation.

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The PDMA also honored its “Benjamin Franklin Award for Direct Marketing Excellence” winners. The “Benny” competition has been a proud Philadelphia tradition for 36 years. A panel of direct marketing experts from the Direct Marketing Association of Washington judged this year’s submissions and awarded 21 winners and 4 honorable mentions in addition to naming the Thomas Black Memorial “Best of Show.” Categories cover direct mail, Internet, multi-media, broadcast TV, and print.

The 2009 Thomas Black Memorial Award for “Best of Show” was awarded to Associates Graphic Services. Other winners:

Affordable Offset Printing for its “Cadbury at Home – Do You Want to Know a Secret?” entry in the Print, Invitation to Inquire category.

Aon Affinity Insurance Services, Inc. for its “WedSafe and Private Event Insurance Web Sites Relaunch” entry in the Internet/Interactive, Acquisition – Offer to Purchase category.

Aon Affinity Insurance Services, Inc. for its “AICPA Professional Liability Insurance Program” entry in the Multi-Media, Creative Only category.

Associates Graphic Services for its “Let AGS Take You Where You Want to Go Campaign” entry in the Multi-Media, Invitation to Inquire category and in the Direct Mail, Invitation to Inquire category.

Bank of America Enterprise Creative Solutions for its “University of Georgia Checking Self Mailer” entry in the Direct Mail, Acquisition – Offer to Purchase category.

Bank of America Enterprise Creative Solutions for its “ECS Interactive Holiday Card” entry in the Internet/Interactive, Creative Only category.

Bank of America Enterprise Creative Solutions for its “Practice Solutions Veterinary Financing Brochure” in the Print, Creative Only category.

Bicknell Creative for its “AvMed Freedom Annual Enrollment Campaign” entry in the Direct Mail, Invitation to Inquire, Health Care category.

DMW Worldwide, LLC for its Shopping Pass entry in the Direct Mail, Invitation to Inquire, Insurance category.

Goodman Marketing Partners for its “The Journal” entry in the Direct Mail, Invitation to Inquire, Technology category.

Goodman Marketing Partners for its “Jazz Legends” entry in the Direct Mail, Retention (Customer Loyalty) category.

Harte-Hanks Direct Marketing for its “Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey DRTVAll You Can Get” entry in the Broadcast TV, Invitation to Inquire category.

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Harte-Hanks Direct Marketing for its “2009 Genesis Sedan Launch” entry in the Multi-Media, Acquisition – Offer to Purchase category.

Independence Blue Cross for its “Thank You DRTV Campaign” entry in the Broadcast TV, Creative Only category.

Merkle, Inc. for its “Bank of America – Super Prime Acquisition” entry in the Direct Mail, Acquisition to Existing Customer category.

Merkle, Inc. for its “Corporate Express EMOB Communications” entry in the Direct Mail, Acquisition – Offer to Purchase category.

Merkle, Inc. for its “Volkswagen TDI Clean Diesel Launch” entry in the Direct Mail, Creative Only category.

Reflex Blu for its “Fulton Bank: Listening” entry in the 3D Dimensional, Invitation to Inquire category.

Shultz & Williams for its “Lincoln Park Zoo – Spring 2008 Membership Campaign” entry in the Direct Mail, Acquisition – Offer to Purchase, Non-Profit category.

Vision House Marketing, LLC for its “Rick’s Tree Service Online Lead Generation Campaign” entry in the Internet/ Interactive, Invitation to Inquire category.

Honorable Mention to 23K Studios, Inc. for its “ING Direct Business Savings Account “Buzz Campaign” entry in the Direct Mail, Acquisition to Existing Customer, Finance category.

Honorable Mention to Bicknell Creative for its “Ashworth Earnings Print Ad Campaign” entry in the Print, Invitation to Inquire category.

Honorable Mention to Softmart, Inc. for its “The Value Advantage Campaign” entry in the Direct Mail, Invitation to Inquire, Technology category.

Honorable Mention to Warkulwiz Design Associates for its “Unmask A Cure – Party with a Purpose 2008” entry in the Direct Mail, Invitation to Inquire category.

About the Philadelphia Direct Marketing Association
The Philadelphia Direct Marketing Association (PDMA) is a non-profit membership association consisting of more than 620 members throughout Philadelphia, Southern New Jersey, and Northern Delaware. The PDMA has served the direct marketing community through education, information, and networking services since 1943. For more about the PDMA and a schedule of upcoming meetings and events, visit www.the-pdma.org.

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Editor: The Philadelphia Direct Marketing Association is pleased to arrange interviews with individual winners. Contact Linda Barba at lbarba@projectmarketinginc.com or 610-889-2036. Electronic images of award entries, and the June 4 event, are available upon request.