Derek Holder – a star is lost

The direct marketing industry lost one of its biggest stars this week.

Sadly, Professor Derek Holder, co-founder of the IDM and all-round champion of direct marketing, passed away on 14 February.

Anyone who knew Derek will agree that he was big in every sense of the word. He was a powerful and influential man who believed passionately in the importance of ongoing training and learning for all people, at all levels of the industry.

If I had to choose one word to describe Derek, it would be ‘tireless’. Nothing ever got in his way as he proceeded on his mission to enhance and improve the direct marketing industry through education. Continual professional development is taken for granted these days. When Derek co-founded the IDM almost 25 years ago it was a breakthrough notion, and the industry was fortunate to have such an advocate of learning in its midst.

An announcement from the IDM talks about his influence on the careers of ‘many, many individual practitioners’. I would take this one step further and say that each of us owes an immense debt of gratitude to Derek. His attitude and foresight played a significant role in developing the industry and making it the vibrant, dynamic profession it is today.

Perhaps Derek’s greatest talent was the way he connected with people. You couldn’t help but warm to him. And that is how he persuaded so many senior practitioners to make the time to share their experiences and insights with junior marketers. He was also a great believer in peer-group learning and hosted many dinners for industry heads to get together and share experiences.

Derek’s legacy to the industry is the IDM’s raft of training and events. But each of us should remember him, and take the time to continue what he started by giving something back, helping new marketers as they progress through the industry.

Derek’s death will be felt deeply by many of us. He will be greatly missed.