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Cincinnati 2012 Silver Medal Recipient

AAF Cincinnati Recognizes Career Achievements of Gene Fischer

CINCINNATI, OHIO- May 1, 2012 - AAF Cincinnati, formerly known as AdClub Cincinnati, has named Gene Fischer the recipient of its most prestigious Silver Medal Award. The award will be presented before a gathering of his peers, friends and family at a luncheon on June 27 at the Radisson Hotel in Covington, Kentucky.

Each year, AAF Cincinnati selects one individual to receive the coveted Silver Medal Award. This award recognizes men and women who have made outstanding contributions to the company, community and profession. This award honors individuals who have advanced the industry’s standards for creative excellence and responsibility in areas of social concern. The American Advertising Federation Silver Medal Award has served as a crowning achievement in the career of local professionals for more than 40 years. The selection committee is made up of past recipients, all celebrated local advertising professionals such as Betty Mills (1984), Ron Brill (1988), Bob Temmen (1991), Tim Gibson (2003), Tom Norton (2006), Bonnie White (2009), Mike Dektas (2010) and Jack Streitmarter (2011). Many are expected to attend the June event.

A graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s College of Business, Gene Fischer - for more than 50 years - has dedicated his working life to the world of advertising, publishing and direct mail. In advertising, he worked as the Ad Manager in the Products Division of Cincinnati Milacron and for Schindler Howard Advertising Agency. He also worked in advertising sales with Penton Publishing, Huebner Publishing and Thomas Publishing. In 1987, sensing the need for a sales lead fulfillment business in Cincinnati, Gene started Marketing Support Services in the basement of his home. Four expansions later, they moved into their present hub facility with nearly 100,000 square feet of office, processing and warehousing space.

Today, Marketing Support Services employs more than 60 people with traditional assembly and mailing as well as web-based fulfillment, digital printing, print on demand, database management, a call center, and other services supporting the savvy marketing professional. What’s more, the company’s Green Initiative reduces its carbon footprint and protects our world’s natural resources. The “Green Team” meets weekly to discuss ways to improve and continue their preservation efforts.

Gene retired from the company he founded in 1998. Today, Gene’s son, Greg Fischer, owns and runs the company. Those who know Gene know that he continues to serve as its informal PR ambassador.

Since joining AAF Cincinnati in 1999, Gene Fischer has served on several committees and on its Board of Directors. For five years he chaired or assisted with one of its major fundraisers, the Media/Services Auction. It was his revolutionary idea to cancel the annual cocktail-style, one-night auction and replace it with an Online Media Auction for a 10-day blitz. This idea, though not originally embraced by all, turned out to be an enormous success – tripling the annual revenue realized by the event. A tireless worker for AAF Cincinnati, Gene is also past president of the Cincinnati chapter of the Business Marketing Association (formerly known as the Cincinnati Industrial Advertisers’ Club or the “CIA”), having also served on its national Board. He is currently a Life Member of that Association, a tribute to his years of dedicated service.

Following his original 1998 retirement, Gene went on to sell media for Cincinnati 50-Plus and other senior focused properties. Always the entrepreneur, Gene – who now lives in Mt. Adams - now markets Comfort Candles, a brand of candles to be sent, in lieu of flowers, to comfort those who have lost a loved one. With his innovative product, he works with grief counselors to help people facing challenges of body, mind and spirit.

The June 27 celebratory luncheon at the Radisson in Covington, Kentucky, is open to the public. Prepaid reservations are required. For online reservations, visit www.aafcincy.org/events. To prepay by cash or check – or to get more information – interested parties may call the AAF Cincinnati office, 513.984.9990.

For further information, contact:
Michel Keidel, AAF Cincinnati 2012 Silver Medal Chair, at 513.241.8300, ext. 18
Judy Thompson, AAF Cincinnati Executive Director, at 513.984.9990