American Academy of Advertising 

Member's Meeting Minutes 

April 8, 2011 

Mesa, Arizona 

President Herb Rotfeld called the meeting to order at 5:10 p.m.  

1.     Approval of Previous Members’ Meeting Minutes  

Approved by unanimous consent. 

2.     Discussion/Approval of Officer Reports 

·         Past President Report 

Rotfeld announced the results of the recent election: 2012 officers – 

            Past President – Herb Rotfeld 

            President – Debbie Treise 

            President – Elect – Kim Sheehan 

            Vice President – Margie Morrison 

            Secretary – Glen Griffin 

            Treasurer – Nancy Mitchell 

Rotfeld provided background on the proposed calendar changes for officer voting and timing for voting on Academy Fellows. He explained that the majority of members join before or during the conference; therefore, it was felt that voting should be moved to the middle to end of April to allow all new members to vote.  In addition, the voting for fellows was moved to the first weeks of January utilizing the previous years’ membership list for voting purposes. Members will be notified of the election results via email.

·         President-Elect 

Treise reported that a total of 15 special topics proposals were submitted, and nine were accepted. She added that four of those proposals were so similar in content, and equally strong, that they were combined into two sessions.  Therefore, a total of seven special topics would be presented.

·         Vice-President  

Edwards reported that there were 161 paper submissions and 89 acceptances, a 55% acceptance rate. He added that this is a record second only to 2008. 

·         Treasurer   

Morrison reported a net income of $44,069 as of the end of 2010, and added that the Academy was in good shape and was healthy. 

·         Conference Director 

Djerf reported that there are 199 attendees in Mesa, compared to 191 at the previous year’s conference. She provided some background on the special events and activities planned. 

Djerf also reported that 15 people had registered for the Brisbane conference to date.  Rose related that the conference in Italy the previous year had earned $7,800 in positive revenue.  She also explained the plan to limit the international conference to every other year.  Members inquired about the profitability of the conferences.  Rotfeld said that the conferences were always in the black, and that Morrison’s more aggressive selling of program ads this year proved to add to those profits.  He added that the job of selling program ads and conference sponsorships had became a formal part of the treasurer’s job.  A discussion of the profitability of the international conferences followed, and Rose explained how critical it was to have a good relationship with someone in the conference country.  She added that the kindness and acceptance of the Milan conference contacts provided added benefit to the conference. 

·         President comments 

Rotfeld asked for comments from members.  He announced that Anca Micu will be the next newsletter editor, and that it is now the job of the secretary to oversee both the newsletter and website since both are publicity arms of the organization. Accordingly, the secretary will now interview and appoint the web master replacement and newsletter editor. 

3.     Discussion/Approval of Committee Reports 

·         Awards Committee 

Rotfeld addressed the lack of nominations for awards this year, and expressed the hope that academy members will be more aggressive next year in soliciting nominations. 

·         Finance Committee 

The Committee reported that this year the members had examined the budget more fully because of the transition from King to the conference manager.  The Committee has approved the 2010 year-end figures and 2011 budget, and feels the budget is in good shape. 

·         Membership Committee 

Goodman reported that there were 424 members, but because people were registering at the conference, it is more likely that number is closer to 435 members.  Goodman also announced that a conference satisfaction survey would be sent to attendees immediately after the conference via email.  She said the instrument would allow members to voice their ideas and suggestions for future conferences.  The Committee also will be calling lapsed members, and they are sketching out new member promotion ideas.  

·         Publications Committee  

Herb announced that the Committee was vetting the current publishing contract with JA and interview both present, past and new publishers. Herb also provided background on the possibilities and considerations of taking over JCIRA, which included how to handle the backlog of accepted articles, ownership, financial, subscriber obligations, etc. 

·         Industry Relations Committee 

Discussion centered around determining a mission for this committee.  

The president asked for additional questions, and none were raised. 

The 2011 Members Meeting was adjourned at 5:45 p.m. 

Annual Member's Meeting 2010 here

Annual Member’s Meeting 2009 here

Annual Member’s Meeting 2008 here

Annual Member’s Meeting 2007 here