NAMA turns 50.

In 1957, "Spec" Collins of Marstellar Advertising and several of his friends and colleagues formed the Chicago Area Agricultural Advertising Association (CAAAA). Rumor has it that it all started over drinks after an awards program for a national advertising association. While undoubtedly complaining about the lack of awards on their table and the unique nature of agricultural advertising, the idea was hatched to form their own organization. That was the start of NAMA.

Three years later, the CAAAA presented the first advertising recognition with the "10 best ads of the year," and in 1962 the first "Agri-Marketing Man of the Year" was honored. Soon after that, chapters began to be formed around the U.S. and the organization was renamed the National Agricultural Advertising and Marketing Association (NAAMA). Bob Kunkel, with the Leo Burnett Agency in Chicago, was elected the first national president.

Eleven years after its origin, NAAMA had grown to 11 chapters and the first national conference was held in Kansas City in 1968. Later that same year, the first student NAMA chapter was formed at California Polytechnic & State University--San Louis Obispo. By 1973, leaders realized that "advertising and marketing" were redundant, and the name was changed to the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA).

Over the years, NAMA has continued to change as the discipline of marketing in agriculture has undergone constant and radical change. Today, NAMA represents 25 professional chapters in the U.S. with a strong relationship with the 5 Canadian Agri-Marketing Association (CAMA) chapters. NAMA also boasts 34 collegiate chapters in the U.S. and Canada.

NEW NAMA MEMBERS

The following are NAMA members that joined from February 15, 2007 to March 8, 2007.

AT LARGE

Kathlene Barrett, Progressive Agriculture Foundation

Barb Glen, The Western Producer

GAMA ONTARIO

Tina Holmes, DMG World Media

HEARTLAND

Denise Guttery, Illinois Country Living

Tracy Heine, Morton Buildings, Inc.

IOWA

Arianne Steenblock, Agricredit Acceptance

MID-AMERICA

Bob Battoe, Fastline Publications

MIDSOUTH

Ashley Martin, Agriliance

NORTH CENTRAL

Lacy Carroll, Martin Williams

Nicola Freeman, Paulsen Public Relations

David Heilig, Hot Shots Video Productions

Erin Holte, Martin Williams

Erin Kelly, Martin Williams

Sarah Kingsley, Martin Williams

Lisa Moorhouse, CHS

Jeena Rinehart, Martin Williams

Donn Thierer, Martin Williams

Amber Tjernagel, Paulsen Marketing Comm.

OHIO

Jeff Fenner, Meister Media Worldwide

SOUTHWEST

Shawne Halm, Omega Protein, Inc.

THANKS TO: Randy Bernhardt who recruited Kathlene Barrett.

Annette Degnan who recruited Ashley Martin.

Greg Guse who recruited Nicola Freeman & Amber Tjemagel.

Lacey Profitt who recruited Barb Glen.

Jana Rieker who recruited Arianne Steenblock.