GERALD M. SCHRECK, OF BROOKLYN, REAPPOINTED CHAIR OF OU COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS COMMISSION
Orthodox Union President Dr. Simcha Katz today announced that Gerald M. Schreck of Brooklyn, NY has been reappointed Chairman of the OU Communications and Publications Commission. The Commission oversees the work of the Communications Department, which includes design, marketing, public relations and publications, most notably Jewish Action, the OU’s award winning quarterly magazine.
“As Chairman of this division for the past few years, I’ve had the pleasant task of working with an unusual group of professionals who produce high quality communications materials and especially the Orthodox Union’s flagship publication, Jewish Action Magazine,” Mr. Schreck said. “My role has been to provide direction to the OU’s outreach to the media and to the organization’s various constituencies, and I believe we demonstrate state-of-the art skills and strategies in getting the Orthodox Union’s message out to the world.
“Regarding Jewish Action, we have succeeded in upgrading the covers and the magazine’s graphic look, along with offering a wider range of articles that appeal to our readers. My goal for the future is to leverage those successes and to widen our reach by adding to our circulation. Every Jewish household should be getting Jewish Action.”
Dr. Katz and David Olivestone, OU Senior Communications Officer, who interacts on a daily basis with Jewish Action Editor Nechama Carmel, declared in a statement: “With his own extensive background in advertising and marketing, and with his innate sense of how the relationship between lay leaders and professionals should be maintained, Jerry has proven himself to be a hugely valuable resource for us in the past, and we very much look forward to his continued input, advice and support.”
Mr. Schreck brings a fascinating background to the position. With a BA in English from Yeshiva University and an MA in English from NYU, he was a radio news writer/reporter for WNEW/Metromedia, which at the time, in the heyday of AM radio, was a legendary station with an iconic group of personalities. He went on to hold senior marketing positions with Macmillan and Doubleday Publishing Companies; he then spent ten years at Citicorp before establishing Response Dynamics Inc, a marketing consulting firm serving a wide range of clients, including banks and publishing companies. More recently, he has been involved in transitional housing and real estate development.
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