George Gruenwald

George Gruenwald (BSJ47) was a member of the inaugural class of the Medill Hall of Achievement in 1997.

Gruenwald was a new product development consultant, an author and the former CEO of Campbell-Mithun.

He began his business career as assistant to the president of UARCO, Inc. in Chicago. Gruenwald then left for Toledo, Ohio, where he served as creative director and manager of merchandising for Willys-Overland Motors (now Chrysler's Jeep division). He returned to Chicago as new products brand and advertising manager for Toni Co./Gillette. Gruenwald then moved on to the E.H. Weiss Agency where he served as account supervisor, creative director and eventually vice president. After several other agency stops, Gruenwald landed at Ted Bates Worldwide, Inc. as vice chairman in 1979.

While in business, Gruenwald continued to write. He was the expert columnist for Marketing News, the publication of the American Marketing Association, and Entrepreneurial Excellence, the publication of the American Management Association. He wrote several books including "New Product Development - What Really Works," "New Product Development - Responding to Market Demand" and "How to Create Profitable New Products."

Gruenwald served as director of the PBS executive committee, as a trustee of Chicago Public Television, and as chairman, president, and CEO of the Twin Cities Public Television.

Gruenwald died in 2013.