PPB September 2018

2018 Woman o f Ach i evemen t Ma r sha Londe 22 | SEPTEMBER 2018 | INNOVATE M entor. Volunteer. Role model. The stack of forms nominating Marsha Londe for the 2018 PPAI Woman of Achievement award includes an impressive list of descriptors for one of the most accomplished women in the promotional products industry. It may come as a surprise that Londe, an iconic and longtime advocate for promotional marketing, originally set out to become an actress. Londe grew up in Charleston, South Carolina, attending a girls’ school for 12 years. She and her peers were strongly encouraged to participate and lead in academics and extracurricular activities. Londe was an early achiever, receiving accolades in drama club and the award for best team spirit for cheering on school athletics. Her love for the stage was born in third grade when, as the tallest girl with the shortest hair, she was cast as the father in Hansel and Gretel. After high school graduation, Londe attended Newcomb College of Tulane University, which she describes as a challenging, exhilarating experience where every campus office was held by a woman. Unfortunately, the empowering lessons of her upbringing did not necessarily match the realities of the working world at the time. “I had culture shock after college graduation as I gradually realized theworld of the ’60s did not championmy independent, self-sufficientmindset,” says Londe. “I was called ‘aggressive’ somany times bymenwho didn’t appreciatemy energy and enthusiasmthat I still feel the sting.” She worked as a secretary and then as an English teacher, honing the writing and presentation skills that would later make her a sought-after author and speaker. Straight Out Of Central Casting While pursuing a promising acting career, Marsha Londe wrote her own script in the promotional field. by Terry Ramsay Nominator Danon Middleton (right) presents the 2018 Woman of Achievement award to Londe.