Creative marketing agency JK Design announced that founder and Chairman Jerry Kaulius has been named to the Advertising Hall of Fame of New Jersey. He was honored along with three other 2019 inductees at a ceremony and dinner at the Highlawn Pavilion in West Orange on Nov. 7.
Sponsored by the New Jersey Advertising Club, the Advertising Hall of Fame of New Jersey was founded in 1981 to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the creative and economic values of the advertising industry in the state.
This year’s nominees were evaluated on eight criteria: leadership, creativity, professional integrity, professional history, philanthropic activity, economic contributions, achievement of national significance and personal efforts to advance New Jersey’s position in the national advertising community.
Kaulius founded JK Design in 1985 with his wife, Vice Chair Barbara Kaulius, from their home in Edison. The agency has grown to include a multidisciplinary team of more than 50 and is now headquartered in Hillsborough, with satellite offices in New Brunswick and New York City. Its client roster includes Philips Lighting, Marco’s Pizza, Quest Diagnostics, Ricoh and Priceline, among many other major brands.
Kaulius’ design work has received national distinction in such publications as Print magazine and Graphic Design USA; his creative direction has also been honored with Telly, MarCom, Communicator, Hermes, Jersey and other awards.
“It takes someone with a rare combination of talent, vision, and determination to build a business from the ground up, and make it a success for more than three decades,” said CEO of JK Design Martha Marchesi. “Jerry has consistently seen where our clients’ needs were headed, and put together the right people and capabilities to meet them—creating a collaborative culture where every project is a new opportunity to go above and beyond.
“This is a well-deserved recognition of his creative thinking, professional integrity, and unwavering dedication to his clients, his community and his employees,” she added.
The nomination also highlighted Kaulius’ charitable work—including the agency’s “JK Gives Back” volunteer program and longtime pro bono support of New Brunswick-based Embrace Kids Foundation—and his commitment to nurturing New Jersey’s advertising talent through scholarships and other opportunities.
“I feel incredibly lucky to have turned my passion for drawing into a lifelong career, and to have had the chance to inspire other people’s creativity even as they’ve inspired me,” said Kaulius. “I’m thankful for this fantastic honor—and grateful to my JK family for helping me achieve it.”
For more information about the Advertising Hall of Fame of New Jersey, visit www.njadclub.org/awards/hall-of-fame.
