Marketing Authority Bob Thacker Departs Corporate America and Heads Back to School With Adopt-A-Classroom

MINNEAPOLIS, MN and MIAMI, FL--(Marketwire - Sep 19, 2011) - Adopt-A-Classroom, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting teachers and ensuring all children have equal access to quality education, is pleased to announce the hire of Bob Thacker as Executive Director and opening of its second office in Minneapolis, MN. Bob joins the company following four decades of success in marketing and advertising at OfficeMax®, Target® and Sears and as former President and CEO of BBDO Minneapolis. In his new role, Bob will oversee the growth and development of Adopt-A-Classroom, leveraging his experience to increase the organization's profile, encourage funding, develop corporate partnerships, engage celebrities and much more.

"After more than four decades in corporate America, it's time to give back to the community and what better way to do this than through education," said Bob Thacker, Executive Director of Adopt-A-Classroom. "My wife and mother were both dedicated teachers who often funded their own classrooms, so I know first hand the struggles teachers go through to make ends meet and vital need for community support. At Adopt-A-Classroom, I look forward to helping teachers secure the support they need to succeed to benefit the lives of children across the country."

Founded in 1998 by Jamie Rosenberg, a lawyer turned philanthropist, Adopt-A-Classroom has raised $16 million on behalf of more than 65,000 classrooms across all 50 states and United States territories. As a result, Adopt-A-Classroom has been able to improve the learning environment for nearly 2.5 million children nationwide. Corporations including Jones New York, OfficeMax, Ford Motor Company and Wells Fargo have partnered with Adopt-A-Classroom to encourage funding for education.

Based in Miami, Adopt-A-Classroom will open its second office in Minneapolis at Carmichael Lynch, which has a proud tradition of supporting nonprofits and education. Bob Thacker will lead both of the organization's offices, and Joyce Hovanes will join the Minneapolis team as Senior Vice President of Development who brings forty years of marketing and business experience working with major corporations on education programs and cause initiatives. Both offices will work together under Bob's leadership to expand the organization and generate support for more teachers and their classrooms across the country. Jamie Rosenberg will continue to oversee the organization's operations and board.

"After twelve years as Executive Director, I'm honored to hand this role over to Bob Thacker, who will lead our organization into its next phase of growth," said Jamie Rosenberg, President and Founder of Adopt-A-Classroom. "Bob is an incredible businessman and marketer with contagious energy and knack for big ideas that resonate and engage people on a personal level. We look forward to what Bob dreams up next!"

Named one of the Nation's Top 100 Marketers and Top 24 Media Authorities by Advertising Age, Bob Thacker has been behind some of the most innovative marketing campaigns in history. Recognizing the value of non-traditional marketing, Bob gave voice to this strategy with his famous mantra -- "Marketing can be a party crasher, so instead of interrupting people's lives, add to the party and don't forget to bring a bottle of wine!" Frequently quoted, this mantra led Bob to many award-winning campaigns, including OfficeMax's ElfYourself.com, recognized as the most viral campaign on record, and World's Largest Rubberband Ball, landing a place in the Guinness Book of World Records and invite to the Oscars. Passionate about giving back, Bob is also known for developing OfficeMax's "A Day Made Better" cause for teachers, which created awareness of the issue of teacher-funded classrooms through national events and media attention. At Target, Bob was responsible for expanding Target from 200 to 800 stores, garnering tremendous brand recognition and turning it into one of the true "passion brands" in American retailing. Bob has been elected into the Retail Hall of Fame and honored as "Man of the Year" by the Minnesota Advertising Federation.

Bob will begin his role at Adopt-A-Classroom immediately. To learn more about the organization, please visit www.adoptaclassroom.org.

About Adopt-A-Classroom
Adopt-A-Classroom is a national, award-winning 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting classroom teachers and ensuring all children have equal access to a quality education. Since 1998, the organization has raised over $16 million on behalf of classrooms across America. Donors form meaningful partnerships with classroom teachers and students. Teachers benefit from the ability to purchase resources that create a more engaging learning environment, and students benefit from the knowledge that someone in the community cares about their success. To learn more or support a classroom, visit www.adoptaclassroom.org.