DMEF’S Next Generation Leaders Program Goes National

The Direct Marketing Educational Foundation (DMEF) today announced the kick off of its third year Next Generation Leaders program (formerly known as the Direct Marketing Leadership Development Program or DMLDP).   For the first time this year, the innovative, rotational program designed to provide carefully selected and highly qualified recent graduates (program associates) with valuable employment experience through a unique combination of work settings is going cross country.

After two successful years in New York City, with 100 percent placement for participating associates, the program has expanded nation-wide to include both Dallas, Texas, and Los Angeles, California.

“In only one short year Next Generation program associates gain several years worth of real-life and marketplace experience,” said Gary S. Laben, DMEF chairman and chief executive officer, KnowledgeBase Marketing.  “As one of the corporate sponsors for the Dallas program, we know first-hand that this also is a win-win for the participating companies as well as the larger direct/interactive marketing community.  Being able to draw upon the raw talent, marketing acumen, analytical skills, and entrepreneurial spirit of recent graduates drives the creativity that makes these brands tick.  DMEF’s drive to expand the host cities to include Dallas and Los Angeles strengthens the learning experience for program associates, and expand the support for direct/interactive marketing education at all levels.”

Through a restricted grant to DMEF, sponsor companies pay all salaries, benefits, and program costs.  Alumni of the program are employed at direct/interactive marketing companies such as Wunderman, Publishers Clearing House, Worth Linen Associates, Radical Media, and Barnes & Noble.

2009-2010 Next Generation Associates:

• Jon-Paul Barcenas, University of Southern California
• Cristina Celis, Brown University
• Ashley Homsher, Texas Christian University
• Jena Hui, Loyola Marymount University
• Roxanna Larizadeh, Georgetown University
• Jennie Liang, Tulane University
• Allison Watson, Brown University
• Alice Yang, Columbia University

2009-2010 Next Generation Sponsor Companies:

• Brierley+Partners
• DIRECTV
• Goodman&Company
• Guthy-Renker, LLC
• hawkeye
• KnowledgeBase Marketing
• Kraft Foods
• Time Inc.

About Direct Marketing Educational Foundation (DMEF)
Headquartered in New York City, the Direct Marketing Educational Foundation (DMEF) works to attract, educate, and place top college students in the business of direct/interactive marketing and, thereby, expanding and enriching the talent pool of trained, market-ready direct marketers.  Established in 1966 by members of the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) who wanted to give something back to the community, DMEF is today a separate, 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that is supported solely by tax-deductible contributions from individuals, companies, and regional clubs and associations.  Funds raised go toward a broad range of world-class educational programs