Adcraft Club of Detroit

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The Adcraft Club of Detroit is the catalyst that brings together the Detroit advertising and marketing communications community to exchange ideas, support and educate our membership and young professionals, recognize and celebrate great work, and foster creativity in our various crafts and our greater community.

WHO WE ARE:

Adcraft members come from all segments of the advertising and marketing communications industry, ranging from top-echelon clients from the automotive industry and other industries, advertising agency and media executives to new professionals. The Adcraft Club provides every member with numerous opportunities to meet peers, expand their knowledge, find career opportunities, and establish meaningful business relationships.

HISTORY:

December 7, 1905 – The Detroit Adcraft Club is formed with the signatures of 30 advertising men on the charter membership role. The organization leased space above Sam Smitt’s tailor shop on Fort Street in downtown Detroit.
December 1, 1912 – Club moves to new headquarters in the Fellowcraft Building on Washington Boulevard. Subsequent headquarters were in the Detroit Board of Commerce Building, Tuller Hotel, Kresge Building, Palms Building, Book Building and, currently, the Fisher Building.
1917 – The Better Business Bureau of Detroit is formed, an offshoot of the Adcraft Club’s Vigilance Committee.
1922 – The organization’s name is officially changed to The Adcraft Club of Detroit.
1924 – The Adcraft Bowling League is formed. It continues to this day, the oldest bowling league in Detroit.
1928 – Adcraft plans to build its own headquarters ‘skyscraper’ in downtown Detroit. The Adcraft Building was to house the Club’s offices as well as advertising agencies, media companies and other industry-related companies. The Great Depression puts an end to the plan.
October 26, 1928 - Amelia Earhart speaks at an Adcraft luncheon meeting.
WWII – Adcraft assists U.S. Navy recruiting efforts and supports American Red Cross.
1960s – Adcraft coordinates media campaign on racial understanding for New Detroit.
1971 – Adcraft forms the Michigan Advertising Industry Alliance, an organization dedicated to protecting the interests of the advertising community through legislative action.
1974 – Women first approved for membership.
1982 – Board of Directors establishes the Adcraft PM Committee, composed of young Adcrafters.
December 14, 1984 – More than 2,000 Adcrafters turn out for the Club’s 79th Anniversary Luncheon featuring Lee Iacocca.
1988 – Adcraft/Leonard Simons-Larry Michelson Advertising Professorship in Advertising established at Wayne State University.
April 21, 1995 – John F. Kennedy Jr. speaks to Adcraft.
1999 – Peggy Daitch of Conde’ Nast Publications becomes Adcraft’s first woman president.
2000 – Adcraft coordinates pro-bono multi-media advertising campaign encouraging Detroiters to participate in the 2000 Census.
2005 – Adcraft celebrates its Centennial with a grand party, a legacy project in downtown Detroit, a television special and a special section in Advertising Age.
2007 – Adcraft introduces The D Show, an annual celebration of the Detroit’s creative spirit, recognizing the ‘best of the best’ of our work over the past year.

Hear what others are saying about Adcraft Club of Detroit:

"My membership in Adcraft was the best decision I made throughout my entire collegiate career. If it weren’t for the members and events, I do not believe I would have been able to secure a full time position in this very competitive job market."

Nathan Buelow, Digital Analyst, Organic, Inc.

"Adcraft has brought me enormous reward and value over the years – I can never pay it back – But I am working to pay it forward."

Luana Floccuzio, Adcraft President 2010/2011

Managing Director, Campbell Ewald

"I have been a member of Adcraft since my first day in the business. If you are looking for professional fulfillment, to be recognized for your achievements or just want to be a member of a group that wants you too, Adcraft is for you. As far as I’m concerned, there’s no reason not to join Adcraft."

Sherrie Weitzman, National Advertising Manager, Cadillac Division of General Motors

"The strength of Adcraft is its ability to provide relevant, informative industry information to its members and the community. I have also enjoyed the social aspects of the organization and the ability to network with colleagues and other professionals."

Kevin Pietsch, Director, Media Communications, Campbell Ewald

"I attended my first Adcraft meeting as a college senior. The keynote speaker was the president of The Budd Company, a D’Arcy MacManus Masius (now Leo Burnett) client. I was wowed by the multi-media presentation. That was a pivotal moment in my decision to make advertising my career….and coincidentally my first job was at D’Arcy."

Keith Ulrich, SVP, Group Account Director, Mullen