IDM bestows lifetime awards to three industry figures

The Institute of Direct Marketing (IDM) has awarded lifetime memberships to three key figures in the direct and digital marketing industries.

George Smith, founder and former chief executive of pioneer agency Smith Bundy, became the third direct marketer ever to honoured with an IDM Lifetime Achievement award.

COI’s Marc Michaels and digital marketing expert, Dr Dave Chaffey were awarded IDM Honorary Life Fellowships.

Smith was given the award in recognition for his 40 years in the industry, during which time the institute says he “pioneered many of the direct marketing techniques now taken for granted and is acknowledged as a world expert on fundraising in particular.”

IDM managing director, Derek Holder, says: “George is one of direct marketing’s legends. I and many others have been privileged to have been mentored and inspired by him. Not only does he have an immense knowledge of the subject, but he is an outstanding ambassador for the profession. His oratory skills are legendary.”

Michaels, who is the COI’s director of direct and relationship marketing, was rewarded for being a “champion of direct marketing for almost 25 years” and Dr Chaffey for his “prolific digital knowledge and his unparalleled passion to share it –whether via his consulting business, as a best-selling author, a university and IDM lecturer, or via the myriad digital channels where he is active daily.”

Last year, recipients of an IDM Honorary Fellowship included TMW managing director, Chris Warren and managing partner of Kitcatt Nohr Alexander Shaw, Marc Nohr.

The IDM Lifetime Achievement award has only been presented on two other occasions. On the Institute’s 20th anniversary in 2006, it was awarded to John Watson and in 2009 was awarded posthumously to former IDM Trust chair, Barrie Spelling.

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