A Better DMA (and who is Gerry Pike?)
I’m not a journalist and I don’t play one on TV.
I probably should wait for someone like Ken Magill or Richard Levey to post about this and then make my comments.
But, I am not a patient person and really, this is happening NOW — as in right this very minute — and I have neither the time nor the temperament for them to dot all their i’s and cross all their t’s.
Is this acceptable for someone like me — someone who is not a reporter — to post? Probably not.
Is this the way it is in 2009? You bet your bottom dollar.
So, what’s got me all hot and bothered?
Gerry Pike.
Truth is, I have no idea who this Gerry Pike person is. I know he’s a Board Member of the DMA but other than that? I know jack.
Oh, except that he now has a website called ABetterDMA.org and he’s asking you to download a Member Proxy Voting form and send it to him.
On his site, it says it will “empower him to mandate a better DMA at the upcoming Annual Business Meeting in San Diego this October 18th.”
What does that mean?
I have no idea about that either.
Except that I am not sure that the current DMA could be much worse so mandating any sort of improvements sounds appetizing.
And folks, I’m not saying that you should give the guy your vote, just because he asks for it. He could be a complete loose cannon — I don’t know him (although if someone sends me his address, I need to send him a gift, for at least starting the discussion) but others do and hopefully, you’ll all start a discussion in the comments below.
Because conversation is what 2009 is all about.
September 25th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
Well I got the email too. I have been worried about the same things that Gerry has brought up. He is not the first to tell me they had concerns about the DMA’s finances and out of control salaries and spending. I’m really not sure how I will vote this time or if I will send it to Gerry.
I have also been thinking about not renewing my membership this time well before Gerry’s message. I’m always concerned when I see someone like Gerry brings up this type of information but I think under the circumstances he really means well and talk about some iron balls to do it the way he did.
I’ll bet they already shut off his fax and killed his email…
He just might get my vote if he is still alive?
September 25th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
I haven’t been involved in the DMA for 5 or 6 years so I have no idea what it’s like nowadays but around 2002 it felt like the wheels were coming off. It seemed that the members association relationship had pulled a 180; instead of an association that served an industry, the DMA was morphing into an association that was served by an industry. The DMA people I dealt with on a regular basis continued to be wonderful but the vibes from the lofty levels were dark and rumbling. The problem was probably that the DMA had lofty levels. I imagine it still does, only worse - loftier. Fortunately, I don’t care. I am amused, though, that after we dropped our membership, nobody at the DMA sent us a “we want you back” letter, which is DM 101. (In other words, the people running the DMA may not know squat about DM) I suspect that’s the kind of thing Amy is hinting at with her usual subtlety, e.g. “I’m not sure the DMA could be much worse …” I have no idea who Gerry Pike might be but our President, Lois Geller, does, and she’s says he’s a smart guy. At worst, signing his proxy would be a lose/lose situation; at best, it might result in fewer panjandrums at the top.
Mike McC
September 26th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Quite frankly, it’s about time someone spoke up about the DMA.
I liken the current management’s ‘reign’ to that of Bush. No regard for laws or the needs of the membership. Arrogance. Self-enrichment. Squash all dissent ruthlessly.
I read all the links on www.abetterdma.org. Not only does the DMA’s Chief Executive make a million bucks per year, he’s had a 52% INCREASE in the last 4 years.
If outrageous isn’t the word, what is?
We didn’t know who Obama was when he started his campaign. But he stood up, raised his hand, and said “I’ll fix this mess”.
I think Pike needs our support, if for nothing else, that he’s willing to speak out. He’ll get our proxy vote. Either that, or we’ll pull our membership to the DMA. We’ve received no value for the membership fees we’ve been paying.
September 28th, 2009 at 9:08 am
Full disclosure - I’m not a current DMA member, although I have been when part of a corporation that was a member.
In my most recent corporate life, I was hard-pressed to recommend continuing corporate membership in the DMA because I couldn’t identify what the DMA had done for us as a corporate in recent years. I got membership renewal approved only when I negotiated a much lower fee with the DMA. Since then I’ve paid little mind to what the DMA is up to. However, I’m appalled that Mr. Greco gets $1m per year, totally non-justifiable BEFORE the recession. And if the organization has endured cutbacks of X%, where is his salary reduction to match the pain?
It does seem like the DMA has been making government-like proclimations in recent years, and communication has come as more of a directive. I remember the DMA issuing guidelines regarding publishing mailing list removal communication, and I shot back that as a company only mailing postcards I wasn’t going to be printing a message that depressed response since as a multichannel marketer the customer simply had to go to our website to get removed from our mailing list. Never got a response on that.
I think it’s very healthy that there is discussion about the DMA at this time, as the ecommerce channel has grown it’s clear that the DMA has not kept up. Organizations I’ve worked with go to “E events”, not DMA events.
I vote (note that I don’t have a vote) that those that do have votes keep the discussion going.
September 28th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Coinkydinky. Today, as I was reading Amy’s comments and associated online articles, emails and Gerry Pike’s website, I received and opened my DMA membership renewal. Timing is everything. I think I’ll set the renewal form aside for now and read the discussion as it unfolds. This discussion is overdue.
And to Mike McCormick, I’ve long thought the DMA did not understand the basic principles of DM, much less practice them.
September 28th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Change is needed. Our industry and members have taken a huge toll in these economic times and our trade association leadership has failed to help support it’s members.
In most companies you find the leadership taking a reduction in pay to avoid layoffs. I personally have done this to protect my staff. Has the DMA leadership reduced (not just frozen increases) their pay to protect their loyal employees? Is the salary and benefits of Mr. Greco reflective of the value to the association, members and industry position? Likely the answer is no to all of the above.
Big and small members are asking where is the value for members, especially in these difficult times. What are you really getting for your membership investment? I sure see alot of seminars offered with large price tags.
New leadership or at the very least a change in leadership focus and values are needed to help protect and serve our members and our industry. I applaud Mr. Pike for having the courage to speak up for what we see. Now it is up to Mr. Greco and team to step up with real action and a plan for improvement.
September 29th, 2009 at 6:05 am
I have chosen not to be a member as I have believed for some time the DMA needed change. As far as Mr. Pike - he may be a “loose cannon” - but perhaps a salvo is just what is needed. When I read the DMA response to his email it gave me a Seinfeld moment - YADA YADA - BUT what did strike me was the CEO salary and benefits. Reminded me of AIG and some of the Banks that now are rewarded for poor judgment and business practices with our tax dollars.
September 29th, 2009 at 10:10 am
I have known Gerry Pike for 23 years and he is a smart, thoughtful, professional and caring man. He ran a retail/catalog company for years. To be on the DMA Board should speak to his qualifications. I think Gerry’s announcement is a gutsy move and should be applauded. DMA has been in trouble for years and has slashed staff and departments, and lost its focus. Gerry has finally brought the conversation public. Talk about the 800 pound gorilla in the room.
September 29th, 2009 at 11:50 am
I was a member of the DMA senior staff from 1987 to 1999. Since that time, I have had my own small boutique PR agency and have been a member of the DMA. I have worked with Gerry Pike during all of these years on various DMA committees both as a member of the DMA staff and as a member on the Social Responsibility Committee, especially on the issue of the environment.
In 1987, Jonah Gitlitz was CEO and his mantra to the staff - was that our job was to be of service to the members. There were conferences that broke even - that served a segment of the membership - and those conferences were maintained.
Councils were developed as the membership’s diversity grew. The Board members were the legends of this business - Leon Gorman, LLBean; John Yeck, Yeck Brothers, Tony White, Abacus; Dick Anderson, Lands’ End, Dick Cabela, Cabela’s - and on and on. They were people who had the interest of the business at large - decisions were made at Board meetings (which I attended) that looked to find what was best for the whole of the association. At that time we developed the Privacy Promise - holding up the best practices of the industry rather than ‘fighting’ for the lowest common denominator.
Jonah was a master at meeting with opposing government forces at the FTC, Mayors Conference, members of congress and other critical committees that affected policy for the DMA. I learned a great deal from a master who knew how to find the common ground in a conversation with adversaries so that the differences could be discussed on the basis of the common mission to protect consumers and allow businesses to operate in a socially responsible manner.
When Jonah left - the mission of the association - both in a change of the mission statement - and in the thrust of the new leadership - was a profit motive. Members of the senior staff who were not bringing in a profit were excluded from the Board meetings (I was Sr. VP for PR/Communications and thus went to no other Board meetings for my remaining 2 1/2 years on the DMA staff.)
At that time, the new members of the Board were senior marketing professionals in major corporations. The decisions of the Board were based on what would be best for their company and what was the lowest common denominator on issues. They were different from the decisions of a few years before because the focus had changed.
My involvement has been to be in continuous touch with the professional staff over the years (hardworking staff are now long-time friends) - and continue to see and insiders view - from their perspective; I’ve also sat on DMA committees.
All I can say, is that it is radically different. The people who have been let go have been some of the finest professionals - who deeply cared about the service to the DMA community. Professionals with 10 or more years of bringing creative communication projects and learning experience to reach members.
I immediately sent my proxy to Gerry. He can be a thorn in your side, if you are on the other side of his opinion. He has always been able to say what he means and enlighten a committee to see another point of view. It can be uncomfortable to be in the presence of his insistence to see another side. I believe that discomfort has led to a ‘don’t rock the boat board’ to try to oust him from their discussions.
Although I am glad to not be at that Annual Meeting, I think the CEO compensation and the radical cut in staff and services needs to be addressed. I hope more DMA members will send Gerry their proxy - to allow for a fair and open discussion.
Connie LaMotta
President, LaMotta Strategic Communication, Inc.
Formerly Connie Heatley,
Sr. V.P PR/Communications, DMA
September 29th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
While I don’t know Gerry Pike, I have been active with the DMA for about 5 years through the Search Marketing Council and by developing and delivering educational content for DMA seminars/workshops.
The people I work with at DMA have been excellent.
At the same time, interactions with the DMA as an organization have left me wondering about membership value. My feeling is that the industry is changing faster than the DMA organizational structure can ever hope to keep pace with.
We can sit by and watch this happen, but I would challenge those that are debating membership or that were previously members to help make the changes that will make the DMA a better, more effective and valuable organization for all its members.
Chief Marketer, you might want to rethink the subsequently smaller font size for comment replies. Anyone that can read this must be reading through a magnifying glass or copied/pasted it into a MS Word Doc.
September 29th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
Full disclosure: I virtually grew up at the DMA. I started in 1982 as an assistant, and left in 2006 as the SVP of Education and Events. (I like to say that I started during a special internship program for 5th graders. :-))
For the last few days, significantly (imho) during the Jewish New Year period, I have been sitting back and watching all of this and am finally compelled to speak. (For those of you who know me, you can imagine the self-control it has taken.)
I think Gerry poses a very important point…what happened to the DMA that was member-responsible, member-responsive, member-proactive, and, btw, profitable?
I urge all voting members of the Association (I am one) to attend the annual business meeting AND to vote your conscience. If you are so inclined, join me in giving your proxy to Gerry. He may not be successful, but he is at least bringing the discussion to the community.
The meeting is open to all DMA Voting Members. It is:
October 18th, 2009
1:15 to 1:45 PM
US Grant Hotel
326 Broad Street
Presidential “D” Room
San Diego, CA
Be there, or be square.
September 30th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
As a former DMA staffer, all I can say it is about time someone called Greco out on his egregious spending habits. Why do you think Ratan just took off to Pitney Bowes? He saw the writing on the wall. Greco has provided deals to his wife that were beyond comprehension in that he brought her in to be DMA’s executive recruiter and paid her a handsome salary at that. Greco also provided his wife with personal sedan services and luxury spa treatments at DMA07 & DMA08 then only to turn around and layoff 20+ staff. He cannot lead this association effectively and needs to go ASAP. Don’t believe me? Check out Stanek v Greco on Google and you will see that a lawsuit was brought against him by one Karen Stanek a former VP at the Yellow Pages association who claims Greco fired her when she reported his superfluous spending to another senior exec at the trade association. Thankfully soon after this Greco was fired by the Yellow Pages Associations BOD and it looks like déjà vous all over again for good ol Johnny Boy.
October 5th, 2009 at 8:54 am
I don’t know John Greco, but I too am a former DMA staffer. I don’t know if what “Johnny Gee” says is true, but I can tell you it fits a pattern of behavior by DMA CEOs.
When I was there, then-CEO Bob WIentzen’s salary was $450,000, plus an apartment, plus benefits, plus free cable. The ordinary staff could barely feed themselves. We endured 7 rounds of layoffs; but Bob’s salary was never cut.
I’ll never forget the cold, winter day when we were all suffering from salary freezes, poor morale, and general distemper, and Bob stood up at a staff meeting and regaled us about his recent trip to Florida and the big party he hosted at his house in Boca.
It seems that John Greco is singing from the same song book. The association management has become a self-absorbed marketing version of the witch in Snow White, “Mirror Mirror on the wall…”
If this sort of behavior is continuing, then hooray for Gerry Pike for speaking out.
October 5th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Applause or grave concern? Certainly everyone’s first reaction to a seemingly intelligent use of free-speech is to first applaud. I am no different than everyone else. My gut reaction is to applaud and hope that intelligent debate follows that can then improve the outcome or at the very least uphold a belief in the right to free speech and dissent.
However, I must say…I am concerned. Who is Gerry Pike? I took a little look around…and I am concerned to NOT find a DM operation associated with his name other than DMSA Inc. DMSA Inc.’s website appears to not exist and their telephone isn’t answered in the middle of the day on a Monday!!??
Someone help me out? Who IS Gerry Pike and how did HE get on the board!?!? The DMA’s own website lists only DMSA Inc. for Gerry… Someone needs to FIGURE THIS OUT… I certainly would like to know.
October 5th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
I appreciate all that Gerry Pike is doing to rectify the DMA debacle, however how did the DMA get where they are in the first place?
Why would Becky Jewitt (then Chairman of the Board) and Liz Kizlik (head of the selection committee) hire a person who had run a small association and not had his contract renewed? The salary alone would dictate that a person be hired with better credentials then John Greco.
It’s well known the fiscal waste generated by Mr. Greco and other members of the board. Surely Jewett and Kizlik must carry a portion of the blame. I fear Liz Kizlik’s father (a true DMAer) would be turning over in his grave. Neither Becky nor Liz have anything to be proud of at this point. They have been part of the problem. Now, can they be part of the solution???
October 5th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
I have been deeply concerned about the DMA’s committment to its membership for some time now. To echo Lee Odden above, the staff at DMA is incredibly hardworking and cares deeply about the industry and the members. The corporate management at DMA - not so much. I think when you choose to disband the volunteer councils, for reasons never clearly articulated, and replace them with…well, what exactly did we get instead? That hasn’t been articulated all that well either. What was communicated pretty well was that corporate DMA was not interested in hearing from the members, nor in serving the membership. I applaud Gerry for his willingness to get the issue out into the open.
As a side note, was there any particular reason that DMA needed to spend more of our membership dollars in sending out a postal copy of their original defensive email? It added nothing to the understanding of the debate, and wasted a heck of a lot of postage. Not very good direct marketing. And unfortunately, not surprising.
October 6th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
You know who I feel most sorry for in this big mess caused by Johnny G…
Lee Shufro (New VP, Sales) and Tom Shimko (New CMO). Well boys; live, learn and get those resumes out stat. Sorry, you will probably be the next casualties of this mess.
October 13th, 2009 at 8:20 am
I do know Gerry Pike. And I know others at the DMA. There are problems at the DMA but Gerry is not the one to fix them. He may have creative ideas but he doesn’t have leadership and he doesn’t know how to fix problems.
Gerry’s DMSA is a dead agency. Gerry’s past board memberships have resulted in organizations you won’t find on the map anymore. IMHO, he was a catalyst in the destruction not in fixing existing problems.
October 13th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
B.A. Barrackus —
Thanks for writing in. It’s nice to have an alternate voice on the blog, even if your name is surprisingly similiar to Mr. T’s from the A. Team.
October 18th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
The annual business meeting was polite and a bust. Gerry was reelected to the board with no real explanation. He addressed the largest (ever) ABM group but was coy in his phrasing. The incoming Chair, Gene Raitt, attempted to offer some rationale but time (or circumstance) would not permit a satisfactory explanaton. Gene is one of the most inteligent, articulate people I know — and his desire is to make positive change and encourage dialogue. I look forward to a 2010 DMA under his leadership and hope all of us can be part of a soluiton rather than griping about the problem.
October 26th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
The corporate model of executive leadership has never worked very well for nonprofit organizations and contains many built-in landmines for a board that is not vigilant. Remember the problems this created for United Way?