NEW YORK– The New York Chapter of Woman in Direct Marketing International paid tribute to Publishers’ Clearing House chairman/CEO Robin B. Smith at its annual banquet here last week.
In accepting the honor, Smith said, “It's no secret that the past couple of years haven’t been much fun for direct marketers who use sweepstakes, so I am particularly grateful for the honor today.”
Smith, who has held various positions at PCH, Port Washington, NY, over the past 20 years and is also the chairman of the DMA Committee on Privacy, said direct marketing is a terrific field for woman because “it’s entrepreneurial, there’s little or no old-boy network, it’s measurable and its wide-open. And, with technology moving at such a breath-taking rate, particularly Internet-technology, the techniques, skills and experiences we have developed as direct-to-consumer marketers should serve us well as the industry grows exponentially.”
Ivana Trump, who gave the keynote address at the event, discussed her Czechoslovakian background, her journey to the United States and her current career as a businesswoman and direct marketer. Specifically, she mentioned the well-publicized home-shopping channel she partly owns, the Fifth Avenue Channel and her magazine, “Ivana: Living in Style.”
In addition, Ivana offered the audience her own brand of inspirational business guidance, explaining the importance of having fun and thinking positively when working long hours.
“Look at how precious every moment of your life is, and don’t waste it on anyone or anything that doesn’t bring you either peace or pleasure or fulfillment or money,” she told attendees.
Past WDMI honorees include Lillian Vernon, Katie Muldoon and Ruth Owades. Winners, selected by the WDMI/NY Board of Directors, must have at least 10 years experience in direct marketing including significant business and personal contributions to the industry.
