by Karen McFarlane
“Photo credit: Nathalie Schueller, http://www.
AMA New York launched the Volunteer Spotlight Awards to recognize the exceptional work of volunteers that give their time and talent to grow the organization. Today we are proud to announce Jack Mello as our first 2019 Marketing Volunteer Spotlight Award Winner for his outstanding contributions to the Marketing Hall of Fame.
Jack has volunteered his expert services for the past seven years to help grow the Marketing Hall of Fame into a premier industry event that attracts the top marketing leaders in the nation every year. As a PR professional, Jack helps drive brand awareness and build critical media partnerships that help AMA New York further its mission – to inspire, support and celebrate brilliance in marketing.
“Jack Mello is a quiet performer. He gets things done without drawing attention to himself. The consummate PR professional, he understands how the media functions and what they need to make their job successful. Jack has done a brilliant job for the Marketing Hall of Fame for the past six years and has been a major contributor to helping us build our brand.” – Bob Khan, Past President and Marketing Hall of Fame Committee Co-Chair.
It is because of volunteers like Jack that AMA New York continues to provide the value that marketers need to keep pace with change, accelerate their careers, and make meaningful contributions to the economy.
In Jack’s Own Words…
Volunteering is a personal choice, and so, we asked Jack to share his sentiments about AMA New York and why he continues to share his expertise each year.
Why did you choose to volunteer for the Marketing Hall of Fame committee?
I’ve spent over 20 years doing PR for the companies and organizations in the marketing world, such as ad agencies, digital marketing firms, marketing awards shows, and associations, etc. A PR colleague knew former AMA New York board member Elizabeth Kiehner, Global leader and Design Principal at IBM. Liz contacted me and asked if I’d be interested in providing pro bono PR support for the launch of the revitalized MHoF, and I said yes!
I came on board in the summer of 2013, as we began planning for the first year of the revived program in 2014.
Can you describe your role?
I handle all PR announcements about the program and assist with media partnerships. In a typical year, I send out press releases to top marketing reporters to announce the call for nominations in the fall, provide information on the winning inductees in January and invite the press to attend the induction ceremony in May. I have also arranged the MHoF’s past media partnership with AdAge magazine, and have been in discussions with Forbes about a potential partnership for 2019.
Check out some of Jack’s MHoF clips here >>
How would you describe your tenure with the MHoF committee?
It’s been a great experience to work with the MHoF team led by AMA New York past presidents Joanna Seddon and Robert Kahn. I’ve had the honor of meeting all the legendary marketing leaders who have been inducted to the MHoF so far and had the opportunity to network with many top marketers who have attended the induction ceremonies over the years.
How long have you been volunteering for AMA New York, and what keeps you coming back?
This is my first volunteer work for AMA New York, starting in the summer of 2013. I continue to serve on the MHoF committee because it’s an extremely worthwhile program and we have a great team in place.
Tell us about your marketing career outside of AMA New York.
I began my professional career as a journalist, spending my first five years out of college as a reporter and editor at Fairchild Publications on some of their trade publications. I then made the transition to the PR agency side, first at a five-office regional agency called Dorf & Stanton Communications and later Shandwick, a large global PR agency now known as Weber Shandwick, part of Interpublic Group.
In 1998, I started working in-house at Rapp Collins Worldwide (now Rapp), a digital and direct marketing agency, part of Omnicon Group. It was there while serving as the agency’s director of PR for North America that I gained experience doing communications and PR for the advertising and marketing industry, promoting work the agency did for clients and developing thought leadership efforts for top executives.
I went off on my own in 2002, and for the past 16 years have been self-employed providing both retainer and project PR support for a wide range of ad/marketing related clients including creative agencies (DDB Worldwide, OgilvyOne, Saatchi & Saatchi X, JWTAction, Merkely+Partners, Walton Isaacson, Ketchum and others), media agencies (mOne, Mindshare Interaction, Neo@Ogilvy), digital firms (We Are Social), design studios (C&G Partners, Thornberg & Forester), global ad/marketing/design awards shows (Clio Awards, The One Show, ADC Annual Awards) and creative organizations (Art Directors Club, The One Club for Creativity, 4As).
How has volunteering with AMA New York impacted your career?
It’s been a great networking experience, having worked closely with past and present AMA New York board members and the entire MHoF committee. I appreciate the opportunity to help and look forward to a successful program in 2019.
Congratulations Jack!
As we shine this spotlight on Jack for his dedication and support of AMA New York, we would also like to thank the countless volunteers that are sharing their expertise and enthusiasm for a mission we all value. When you want to be inspired, come to New York – the marketing capital of the world. If you are a member who is interested in volunteering, raise your hand here.
Join us for the Marketing Hall of Fame on April 16th!
On April 19, 2019, the Marketing Hall of Fame will induct Wendy Clark, CEO of DDB Worldwide, Ann Lewnes, EVP/CMO of Adobe, and Keith Weed, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Unilever. The keynote speaker is Bob Liodice, CEO of the Association of National Advertisers. Don’t miss your chance to celebrate the monumental achievements of this stellar lineup. This event sells out. Purchase your tickets today.
