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Myra Masie Marks MBE (October 17th, 1925 -- ), known as Maisie Marks, held senior positions in a number of professional and charitable organizations in the advertising sector from the late 1950s to when she retired in 1985. She was awarded an MBE in the 1986 New Year Honours  for "Over 30 years voluntary service to publicity associations concentrating on charity and educational activities".

Volunteer Work for Professional and Charitable Organizations
Marks was recognized with an MBE by the British government and the Queen for her contributions to the advertising profession, its professional organizations and, through those, to charity. Marks became a leader of several clubs, associations and charitable organization, volunteering her time and expertise. Records including minutes, newsletters and similar of these associations, some of which no longer exist, are archived by the History of Advertising Trust, legal depositories such as the British Library and further sources listed.

The Regent Advertising Club
In 1953, she joined the Regent Advertising Club. Through the club she became involved with the National Advertising Benevolent Society (NABS), managing the relationship with NABS as Steward. She was also the social secretary. She was awarded the Halward Cup in 1956, in 1958 the Pemberton Cup for outstanding service and was runner-up in 1959.

The Publicity Club of London
In 1953, Marks joined the Publicity Club of London. Established in 1913 the Publicity Club of London provided a forum for the exchange of information, news and views on the ever changing business of marketing and communications. H

Her first position was secretary of the House Committee; over 30 years she served on several other committees and was the Associate Editor of the club’s magazine and also a representative. In 1971 and 1974-1977 she was the club’s Honorary Secretary. In 1973 she organized the club’s 60th (Diamond) Jubilee Ball at the Europa Hotel in aid of the Peterhouse Endowment Fund of NABS and youth scholarships. She was the third lady to be chairman of the club in 1973.

The National Advertising Benevolent Society
Marks volunteered for more than 30 years for the National Advertising Benevolent Society (NABS). Founded in 1913, NABS is “the National Advertising and General Benefit and Benevolent Society for the charitable purpose of relieving distress among persons who are or have been engaged in advertising and any persons who are or have been dependent upon any person engaged in advertising'”.

She was particularly involved in the Peterhouse retirement care facility established in 1966. From 1971 to 1988, she was a Council Member on the main committee, and served for four years as Publicity Officer before being elected Chairman and Trustee Appointed Member in 1982. When she retired from NABS Denise Larkin stated "From your election to Council in 1971, your Chairmanship in 1982 and becoming a Trustee Appointed Member in 1982, you have always been a sincere and dedicated friend of NABS. With your help and support, we have been able to grow from strength to strength and provide the most constructive service possible to our many beneficiaries." Diana Tickell on the occasion of the 100th birthday of NABS stated that the chair Peter Silver described Marks as "the ultimate supporter of NABS' - a dedication to aspire to."

The Adwomen
In 1963, Marks with a group of her peers in advertising founded the Adwomen, “An Association of Women in Advertising, Marketing, & Publicity”. She was the founding Chairman and subsequently chaired several committees and served as Honorary Treasurer.

This is how Marks described it in an article for the Adwomen newsletter on their anniversary: “On a bitterly cold and frosty evening in January 1963, the Adwomen held its first meeting at the Grosvenor Hotel, Victoria. Maisie Marks presented the proposed constitution, aims and objects, program structure and membership fee, and some 50 members were immediately recruited.

“The meeting ratified Maisie Marks as Chairman, Paddy Carr as Hon. Secretary, Elizabeth Tinker as Hon. Treasurer, and other council members who had offered their services. Meetings were arranged for the second Tuesday of every month, with alternate lunch and evening meetings.

“The aims and objects of the Adwomen were to provide for the exchange of ideas, discussion of mutual problems, and especially to help and encourage the younger women in advertising towards personal development and management positions. To help women become efficient and self-confident without losing their femininity.

“The British Federation of Business and Professional Women accepted our application for membership, and soon we ‘coerced’ their President Lady Davidson to become our President. She was an inspiration to us all: an outstanding politician, clever, efficient and with great feminine charm. Christina Foyle accepted the position of first Vice-President.”

British Federation of Business and Professional Women
That same year, she joined the British Federation of Business and Professional Women. For three years, she was the Adwomen’s representative. In 1965, she was the Honorary Secretary, and in 1966 the Federation’s representative to the National Council for Women.

Croydon Advertising Association
In 1969, Marks joined her local organization, the Croydon Advertising Association. In 1970, she was made honorary treasurer, and in the next year she was their first female chairman.

Advertising Association
The Advertising Association, founded in 1925, was an umbrella organization for those in advertising, with organizations such as the Croydon Association, the Adwomen, and the Publicity Club. Marks represented these three organizations to the Advertising Association.

Career
.Marks was almost 17th birthday when she started work as a personal assistant and shorthand typist for Mr. Joseph in the firm of solicitors, Tamplin, Joseph, Ponsonby, Ride and Co. She was admitted to evening classes at the London School of Economics (LSE) during the 1945-46 session while working for Mr. Joseph during the day.

Towards the end of her first year, Marks left LSE, taking a position as the private secretary to Jack Lunzer, owner of Industrial Diamond Company. She worked there for a year before taking a position with Galil Publishing Company as bookkeeper and general secretary. She worked there for three years until she married in 1948 and later moved to Cardiff with Arnold Marks (1925 – 2017).

While in Cardiff for about a year she worked as a shop supervisor at Fletchers’ Cleaners before returning to London.

In 1952 Marks was hired as a shorthand typist for the Company Secretary for the business owned by Reginald Harris. Reginald Harris purchased London Diary Publications at a later date, who published the journal "London Weekly Diary of Social Events", e.g.   which she managed for many years. In 1953, Marks took over as Company Secretary, in 1958 she became Associate Director, Director in 1961 and Deputy Managing Director in 1963. Marks became Managing Director in 1973. When Trevor Harris, the son of Reginald Harris and owner of the business passed away in 1976, he willed 67% of the company to Marks and she became Chairman and Managing Director.

She retired and sold the business in 1985, staying on as a director and consultant for another year. After she retired she took up ballroom dancing, passing exams to qualify from Silver to Gold, 1st, 2nd and Supreme, then taught for many years.

Family Life
Marks was born to a family of modest means on October 17th 1925, the second child and first daughter of Abraham (1890 – 1979, known as Alf) and Dora Marks (1897 – 1971, born Rosenfeld).

She attended Richard Street school until she and her mother moved in with her step-grandmother, when she changed to a nearby school. From the age of about 6 to 10, Marks attended Sigdon Road School (renamed Amherst Primary in 1951). From 11 to 13, Marks attended Dalston Central School on Wilton Road.

When war was declared in 1939 the government decided to evacuate the schoolchildren in “Operation Pied Piper”. Marks and her school were sent to Northampton. Marks returned to London in July 1942 where she finished school. Except for a year in Cardiff, she lived in London from 1942 onwards.

In 1948 she married Arnold Marks (1925-2017), who wrote Card Games Properly Explained. Marks has two sons: Norman D, Marks, born in 1951, and Laurence D. Marks, born in 1954.