A Little Bit about Marty…
Marty was born and raised in New York City. He studied photographic art before his life was interrupted by the Vietnam War, where he was a combat photographer and also served with the photo intelligence branch of the U.S. Air Force. Post-Vietnam, he worked in New York and Hollywood as a motion picture cameraman, documenting the Apollo Space Program’s landing on the moon. In addition, he worked for “REI” Italian Radio and Television Network as an assistant cameraman. In 1975, Marty founded a Los Angeles-based advertising agency, “JAM Advertising Ink.” The $10 million agency specialized in marketing companies from around the world that wanted to penetrate the tough Los Angeles market. Its clients included Toshiba, Coca-Cola, Ritz Cameras, Oshman’s Sporting Goods, Laserium, and University Stereo. Marty’s commitment to honesty and integrity, combined with hard work in advertising and marketing, built University Stereo from $2.7 to more than $40 million in annual sales. As a result, Marty was awarded the “National Retailer of the Year Award” for consumer electronics. He was also named to the list of “Top 100 Executives” by the Los Angeles Times. Marty is continuously invited by some of the world’s largest international manufacturers and leaders to express his thinking. He is recognized as one of the world’s opinion leaders in his field.
A Little Bit About Diane…
I was born and raised in the beautiful State of Virginia. Throughout my childhood, I was involved in performing arts, fine arts, competitive sports and equestrian showing. I completely immersed myself in every activity, demonstrating a limitless passion for creativity and learning. These years taught me about the exhilaration of artistic expression, and also about dedication, determination and hard work, all of which are absolutely necessary for the creation of art with impact. I continued my pursuit of the fine arts even after I graduated from Old Dominion University with a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene. Just days after graduation, I drove across the country to the Gold Coast of southern California and focused my passion for art on my career as a dental hygienist and on my continuing studies at UCLA. If I learned just one lesson from my classes in painting, dancing and acting, it was that everything can be an art form. My philosophy, enthusiasm and dedication transformed the dental practice as people began to recognize the extraordinary effort and care that comprised my “Everything is Art” approach to their care. My patients’ appreciation and accolades reinforced my conviction that this was the ideal recipe for life.
I had the artistry of my profession, a hugely successful start to my career and the satisfaction of making my own way in the world. I was not looking for love, so I was completely unprepared for when Marty Herman walked into my life!