ADV Hall of Fame
Kentucky Advertising Hall of Fame
The Kentucky Advertising Hall of Fame was established in 1992 to honor and recognize Kentuckians who have made significant contributions to the advertising field. Five individuals were inducted into the Kentucky Advertising Hall of Fame between 1992 and 1995; brief bios on each appear below.
1992
David E. Carter
International authority on corporate identification, Clio and Emmy award winning television writer and producer, author and educator.
A native of Russell, Kentucky, and a 1965 graduate of the University of Kentucky School of Journalism. Formed Dave Carter Advertising in 1965 while still a student. Director of Advertising, Kentucky Electric Steel Corporation 1970-77. Started David E. Carter, Inc. in Ashland in 1977. Writer and producer of more than 700 television commercials. Winner of the prestigious Clio award for excellence in advertising creativity in 1980. Winner of 5 Emmys for non-network television programs. International authority on corporate identification. Has written or edited more than 40 books on corporate logos and identity. Instructor and lecturer at Ohio University, Morehead State University, Marshall University, Western Kentucky University, and the University of Indonesia. Developed computer software programs for use in creating corporate logos and corporate and business names. Maintains an international consulting business with affiliate offices in Jakarta, Indonesia and Bangkok, Thailand.
In 2005, Ohio University honored Mr. Carter by opening The David E. Carter Creativity Center & Museum at its Southern Campus in Ironton, Ohio.
Thomas W. Baker
Prominent advertising executive, innovator, supporter of advertising education, public servant, cultural patron, civic leader.
1969 graduate of the University of Kentucky. Lexington Herald-Leader advertising executive 1971-79, becoming Retail Advertising Manager in 1974 and General Advertising Manager in 1977. Formed Baker Communications in 1980, leading the company to a prominent position among Central Kentucky advertising agencies. President of Lexington Advertising Club, 1977. Governor, Fifth District, American Advertising Federation, 1982. Chairman, Central Kentucky Better Business Bureau, 1992. Led establishment of American Advertising Federation student chapters at various Kentucky universities. Charter member of the Board of Visitors at the University of Kentucky School of Journalism. Lexington civic volunteer, donating professional services to the Lexington Chamber of Commerce, United Way, Central Kentucky Concert and Lecture Series, Lexington Ballet, Lexington Hearing and Speech Center, and many others. Awarded the American Advertising Federation Silver Medal in 1990 for a lifetime of professional achievement.
1993
Robert S. Allison
Noted agency executive, pioneering industry advocate, international advertising authority, community leader.
Joined Doe-Anderson (eighth oldest operating U.S. advertising agency) in 1960, serving as copywriter and account manager. Elected president and chief executive officer in 1973. Supervised growth of the agency from $5 million to over $30 million in annual billing. Became chairman in 1992. A 1954 graduate, and president of the student body, of the University of Tennessee. Founded the Kentucky Industrial Advertising Association. Member of the National Advertising Review Board. Chairman and president of the Advertising and Marketing International Network. Member, Boards of Directors: Advertising Club of Louisville, University of Louisville Foundation, Kentucky Derby Museum, Saint Xavier High School, Kentucky Advocates for Higher Education, Louisville Metro United Way, Louisville Chamber of Commerce. Chairman of the Finance and Budget committee, University of Louisville Athletic Association Board. Active in Boy Scouts, receiving the Distinguished Service to Youth award in 1990. “Project Business” teacher at Jefferson County Middle School.
1994
Mary Ellen Slone
Advertising and Public Relations executive, entrepreneur, community leader, arts patron, creator.
Honors graduate of the University of Kentucky. Creative Director of Abbott Advertising, the in-house agency for Jerrico, Inc. of Lexington. Founded MER, now Meridian Communications, in 1974. Led the company to a position as one of the largest agencies in the state winning both regional and national awards. 1982 Lexington Woman of the Year. 1990 recipient of Lexington’s Aequum Award for outstanding woman business person. Elected Chair of the Greater Lexington Chamber of Commerce. Served as Trustee, Kentucky Independent College Foundation. Vice President, Marketing of the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra. Board member, United Way of the Bluegrass and the Kentucky Child Abuse Council. Extensive professional contributions to the Lexington Child Abuse Council, Wintercare and the Community Action Council’s “Project Family.” Advisor to the University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Telecommunications and Lexington Community College.
In 2008, Ms. Slone's Meridian Communications was acquired by Jordan-Chiles, Inc. Ms. Slone is now active in MERIDIAN-CHILES.
1995
Helen Lansdowne Resor
First nationally prominent female advertising executive, pioneering copywriter, arts patron, teacher.
Born in Grayson, Kentucky in 1886 and raised in Covington. Called by industry observers, “The greatest copywriter of her time.” Copywriter at the Cincinnati Commercial Tribune, Street Railway Advertising company and Procter and Collier advertising agency. First copywriter at the Cincinnati office of J. Walter Thompson. Created the introductory advertising for Procter and Gamble’s Crisco. First woman to present to the Procter and Gamble board of directors. Created advertising campaigns fro Yuban coffee, Lux soap flakes, Pond’s vanishing cream, Pyrex glass utensils and many others. Created the famous “A skin you love to touch” campaign for Woodbury facial soap credited for increasing sales by more than 1,000%. Married Stanley Resor in 1917. Member of J. Walter Thompson management committee, leading the company to the position of the largest advertising agency in the world. Nurtured and developed dozens of young writers to the top of the field. Active campaigner for women’s suffrage. Major adviser and contributor to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
We salute these outstanding advertising practitioners. We hope to reinvigorate the Kentucky Advertising Hall of Fame and add to their ranks.
