Lewis, Simon Make DMA Hall of Fame

Congratulations to copywriting guru (and CATALOG AGE contributor) Herschell Gordon Lewis and to Omaha Steaks executive Fred Simon. They are this year’s inductees to the Direct Marketing Association’s Hall of Fame. The DMA will formally announce the inductions on June 18.

Lewis, the principal of Lewis Enterprises, a direct response consulting company headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, FL, previously served for 25 years as chairman of the full-service international direct marketing agency Communicomp, a division of True North Diversified Cos.

Simon, who began his career at Omaha Steaks in 1959 in the plant, where he learned the various cuts of meat, worked his way up to become the vice president of sales in 1965. He later led the company’s direct marketing division. He currently serves as executive vice president and is a member of the board of directors. Among his customer service achievements, Simon developed Omaha Steaks’ “You Must Be Thrilled” policy, which states that if for any reason a customer is not thrilled with products received, the company will refund his money or replace the product without exceptions.

Established in 1978, The DMA Hall of Fame honors direct and interactive marketing professionals’ outstanding career contributions to the practice, growth and stature of the direct and interactive marketing discipline, and now includes 85 honorees. Both will be formally inducted at the DMA’s Annual Conference and Exhibition on Oct. 14 in Orlando, FL.