• by Amy Corr  @MediaPostOTL, July 7, 2004

The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) Wednesday named John A. Greco Jr. president and CEO. Greco, former president-CEO of the Yellow Pages Integrated Media Association and a longtime marketing executive, will take over the DMA's helm on August 16, succeeding H. Robert Wientzen, who will retire following nearly eight years as the Association's chief.

The DMA's Executive Search Committee, comprised of seven current and former members of The DMA Board of Directors, was formed in December 2003 to identify a successor for Wientzen, who has served as DMA president and CEO since October 1996. The committee worked with SpencerStuart, which identified more than 150 qualified candidates for the position.

"As a former marketer and technologist, John has an excellent understanding of the key issues facing our business, both on the business-to- consumer and business-to-business sides, has had considerable involvement with association and nonprofit management, and will provide The DMA the direction and vision needed to adapt to a rapidly evolving marketplace," said Wientzen in a statement.