Rick Black, a co-founder of catalog cooperative database Prefer Network and a longtime direct marketer, died yesterday after battling cancer for a year. He was 58.
Black was a direct marketer for more than 25 years. Prior to co-founding Prefer Network in 2000, he was president of Reliable Corp. and senior vice president, direct marketing and Europe, for Boise Cascade Office Products. Black also served as vice president of marketing at Rivertown Trading Co.; vice president of new business development at Fingerhut Corp.; and vice president of mail order at Eddie Bauer.
Upon the request of the Black family, those wishing to make contributions in memory of Rick should do so in his name with the Kidney Cancer Association, 1234 Sherman Ave. #203, Evanston, IL 60202-1375 or online at www.kidneycancerassociation.org.
“We are very saddened by the loss of Rick,” said Doug Platt, CEO and co-founder of Prefer Network. “Together with our partners at Catalog Marketing Services, we will move forward energetically and build on the remarkable infrastructure and database marketing team Rick established. As a result, Prefer's business will continue to follow its present trajectory, and Rick's spirit will always be a part of it.”
