Guthy-Renker
Encyclopedia
Guthy-Renker LLC is a direct-response marketer known primarily for selling products in the United States via infomercial
s. The company also sells products direct to consumer through a variety of media channels (TV, print, radio, web) via offices in numerous countries. Named after its two founders, Bill Guthy and Greg Renker, the company was established in 1988 and is today one of the world's largest direct response television companies with sales of more than $1.5 billion per year and an average annual growth rate of 25% over the last 10 years."
Guthy-Renker is headquartered in Palm Desert, CA; and has offices in Santa Monica, CA; San Francisco, CA; London, England; Malmo, Sweden; Wiesbaden, Germany; Helsinki, Finland; Shanghai, China; Tokyo, Japan; Sydney, Australia; and New Delhi, India.
Renker was born in Arizona and grew up throughout the United States while his father pursued a career in resort, hotel and country club management. As a result, Renker was exposed to elite elements of society at a young age and developed high standards of excellence. Renker attended San Diego State University, and graduated with a B.A. in 1980.
Renker served in formative roles during the early years of the evolving infomercial platform, most notably as a founding member of the National Infomercial Marketing Association (NIMA) – which later evolved into the Electronic Retailing Association (ERA) in 1997 – and chosen representative to testify before Congress during the Federal Trade Commission investigation of consumer protection and infomercial advertising in 1990. Renker helped to develop the ERA’s Self Regulatory Program, a set of industry standards and guidelines developed while Renker served as chairman of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors. Renker now serves as Chairman Emeritus of the organization.
Renker has been honored with numerous industry awards for his contributions to the direct marketing sector. Advertising Age magazine has named him to its "Marketing 100" list. Renker has been spotlighted by Fortune Magazine on its list of "America's Smartest Young Entrepreneurs" and also was honored as one of Inc. Magazine's Regional Entrepreneurs of the Year. In 2004, he received ERA's Lifetime Achievement Award. In September 2011, Renker was honored as a "Legend of Advertising" by the American Advertising Federation of Palm Springs • Desert Cities.
Renker and wife Stacey founded the Renker Wellness Center for the treatment of cardiac and pulmonary patients at the Eisenhower Medical Center in March 2004. In addition, the couple donated funds to build a cutting-edge, luxury in-patient facility -- the Greg and Stacey Renker Pavilion, also at the Eisenhower Medical Center. Renker also serves as Chairman of the Annenberg Center for Health Sciences at the Eisenhower Medical Center.
Guthy grew up in Queens, NY with his mother and brother. The family moved to Pasadena when Guthy was 15, at which point Guthy realized he wanted to start his own business someday.
Guthy studied theology and psychology at Ambassador College and served as senior class president. He paid for his education by working in the school’s audio-visual department where he made audio tapes for the blind. The experience formed the basis for his first venture - Guthy founded Cassette Productions Unlimited (CPU) in 1977, which quickly grew into one of the largest audio-video manufacturers in the country.
While Guthy pursued production contracts with many of the pioneers in the growing infomercial industry, he was determined to enter the sector himself. The opportunity came when he developed a friendship with Renker, and the two produced an infomercial of Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich. It became the first show that Guthy-Renker would produce and grossed $10 million.
Guthy has been named by Fortune Magazine on its list of "America's Smartest Young Entrepreneurs" and also was named as one of Inc. Magazine's Regional Entrepreneurs of the Year. He has three children with his wife, Victoria Jackson.
Infomercial
Infomercials are direct response television commercials which generally include a phone number or website. There are long-form infomercials, which are typically between 15 and 30 minutes in length, and short-form infomercials, which are typically 30 seconds to 120 seconds in length. Infomercials...
s. The company also sells products direct to consumer through a variety of media channels (TV, print, radio, web) via offices in numerous countries. Named after its two founders, Bill Guthy and Greg Renker, the company was established in 1988 and is today one of the world's largest direct response television companies with sales of more than $1.5 billion per year and an average annual growth rate of 25% over the last 10 years."
Guthy-Renker is headquartered in Palm Desert, CA; and has offices in Santa Monica, CA; San Francisco, CA; London, England; Malmo, Sweden; Wiesbaden, Germany; Helsinki, Finland; Shanghai, China; Tokyo, Japan; Sydney, Australia; and New Delhi, India.
Products
- Proactiv SolutionProactiv SolutionProactiv Solution is an over-the-counter topical treatment for mild to moderate forms of acne, widely known for being marketed in Guthy-Renker infomercials since 1995...
- AcneAcneAcne is a general term used for acneiform eruptions. It is usually used as a synonym for acne vulgaris, but may also refer to:*Acne aestivalis*Acne conglobata*Acne cosmetica*Acne fulminans*Acne keloidalis nuchae*Acne mechanica...
treatments - Principal Secret - Skincare system represented by Victoria PrincipalVictoria PrincipalVictoria Principal is an American actress, best known for her role as Pamela Barnes Ewing on the CBS nighttime drama Dallas from 1978 to 1987.-Early life:...
- Youthful Essence - Skincare system represented by Susan LucciSusan LucciSusan Victoria Lucci is an American actress and entrepreneur, best known for portraying Erica Kane on the daytime drama All My Children. The character is considered an icon, and Lucci has been called "Daytime's Leading Lady" by TV Guide, with New York Times and Los Angeles Times citing her as the...
- Sheer Cover - Mineral makeup by Leeza GibbonsLeeza GibbonsLeeza Kim Gibbons is an American talk show host. Gibbons is the host of her own radio show, Hollywood Confidential, part of the United Stations radio syndication company.-Early life:...
- Meaningful Beauty - Beauty treatment created by Dr. Jean-Louis Sebagh and Cindy CrawfordCindy CrawfordCynthia Ann "Cindy" Crawford is an American model. Known for her trademark mole just above her lip, Crawford has adorned hundreds of magazine covers throughout her career. She was named #3 on VH1's 40 Hottest Hotties of the 90s...
- Natural Advantage - Skin treatment represented by Jane SeymourJane Seymour (actress)Jane Seymour, OBE is an English actress best known for her performances in the James Bond film Live and Let Die , East of Eden , Onassis: The Richest Man in the World , and the American television series Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman...
- In an Instant - Skincare system created by Heidi KlumHeidi KlumHeidi Samuel , better known by her birth name Heidi Klum, is a German model, actress, television host, businesswoman, fashion designer, television producer, and occasional singer. In 2008 she became an American citizen while maintaining her native German citizenship...
- Wen by Chaz Dean - Haircare system
- The Dean Martin Celebrity RoastThe Dean Martin Celebrity RoastThe Dean Martin Celebrity Roast is a NBC television special show hosted by entertainer Dean Martin from 1974 to 1984. For a series of 54 specials and shows, Martin would periodically “roast” a celebrity. These roasts were patterned after the roasts held at the New York Friars' Club in New York City...
s - DVD compilations - The Dean Martin Variety ShowThe Dean Martin ShowThe Dean Martin Show is a TV variety-comedy series that ran from 1965 to 1974 for 264 episodes. It was broadcast by NBC and hosted by crooner Dean Martin...
- DVD compilations - The Carol Burnett Show Collection - DVD compilations
- Malibu Pilates - Created by Carroll Krieff and represented by Susan LucciSusan LucciSusan Victoria Lucci is an American actress and entrepreneur, best known for portraying Erica Kane on the daytime drama All My Children. The character is considered an icon, and Lucci has been called "Daytime's Leading Lady" by TV Guide, with New York Times and Los Angeles Times citing her as the...
- The Midnight SpecialThe Midnight Special (TV series)The Midnight Special is an American musical variety series that aired on NBC during the 1970s and early 1980s, created and produced by Burt Sugarman. It premiered as a special on August 19, 1972, then began its run as a regular series on February 2, 1973; its last episode was on May 1, 1981...
- DVD compilations - Ultimate Edge - Self-help DVDs by Tony RobbinsTony RobbinsAnthony "Tony" Robbins is an American self-help author and motivational speaker. He became well known through his infomercials and self-help books, Unlimited Power: The New Science Of Personal Achievement and Awaken The Giant Within...
- Dr. Evans Cosmeceuticals Papaya Renewal Regimen - Skincare system created by Dr. Susan Evans
Greg Renker
Greg Renker, founding co-principal and current Co-Chairman of Guthy-Renker, is a businessman, industry leader and philanthropist. He resides in Palm Springs, CA with his wife Stacey and three sons.Renker was born in Arizona and grew up throughout the United States while his father pursued a career in resort, hotel and country club management. As a result, Renker was exposed to elite elements of society at a young age and developed high standards of excellence. Renker attended San Diego State University, and graduated with a B.A. in 1980.
Renker served in formative roles during the early years of the evolving infomercial platform, most notably as a founding member of the National Infomercial Marketing Association (NIMA) – which later evolved into the Electronic Retailing Association (ERA) in 1997 – and chosen representative to testify before Congress during the Federal Trade Commission investigation of consumer protection and infomercial advertising in 1990. Renker helped to develop the ERA’s Self Regulatory Program, a set of industry standards and guidelines developed while Renker served as chairman of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors. Renker now serves as Chairman Emeritus of the organization.
Renker has been honored with numerous industry awards for his contributions to the direct marketing sector. Advertising Age magazine has named him to its "Marketing 100" list. Renker has been spotlighted by Fortune Magazine on its list of "America's Smartest Young Entrepreneurs" and also was honored as one of Inc. Magazine's Regional Entrepreneurs of the Year. In 2004, he received ERA's Lifetime Achievement Award. In September 2011, Renker was honored as a "Legend of Advertising" by the American Advertising Federation of Palm Springs • Desert Cities.
Renker and wife Stacey founded the Renker Wellness Center for the treatment of cardiac and pulmonary patients at the Eisenhower Medical Center in March 2004. In addition, the couple donated funds to build a cutting-edge, luxury in-patient facility -- the Greg and Stacey Renker Pavilion, also at the Eisenhower Medical Center. Renker also serves as Chairman of the Annenberg Center for Health Sciences at the Eisenhower Medical Center.
Bill Guthy
Bill Guthy, founding co-principal and current Co-Chairman of Guthy-Renker, is an entrepreneur, businessman, and industry leader. Primarily focused on finance and operations for the company, Guthy is also responsible for sales and marketing efforts.Guthy grew up in Queens, NY with his mother and brother. The family moved to Pasadena when Guthy was 15, at which point Guthy realized he wanted to start his own business someday.
Guthy studied theology and psychology at Ambassador College and served as senior class president. He paid for his education by working in the school’s audio-visual department where he made audio tapes for the blind. The experience formed the basis for his first venture - Guthy founded Cassette Productions Unlimited (CPU) in 1977, which quickly grew into one of the largest audio-video manufacturers in the country.
While Guthy pursued production contracts with many of the pioneers in the growing infomercial industry, he was determined to enter the sector himself. The opportunity came when he developed a friendship with Renker, and the two produced an infomercial of Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich. It became the first show that Guthy-Renker would produce and grossed $10 million.
Guthy has been named by Fortune Magazine on its list of "America's Smartest Young Entrepreneurs" and also was named as one of Inc. Magazine's Regional Entrepreneurs of the Year. He has three children with his wife, Victoria Jackson.