Distinguished journalism alum Daniel H. Nelson Sr. will return to campus Nov. 5-8 for Masters Week, an annual event that connects students with successful Nebraska graduates.
Nelson is chairman and chief executive officer of Nelson Schmidt, a full-service, integrated marketing communications agency located in Milwaukee, Wis.
Serving as the agency's principal brand strategist, Nelson has more than 30 years of experience in marketing, communications, strategic planning, branding, product development, sales and general business management. He continues to be a progressive leader, overseeing agency operations and overall management. Nelson develops and guides new business ventures, while spearheading opportunities for systematic growth for both the agency and his clients.
Nelson Schmidt reported total billings of $79 million in 2007 and a staff of 55. B2B Magazine ranks Nelson Schmidt as one of the top 100 business-to-business agencies in America.
Focusing on business to business strategy in healthcare, outdoor recreation, building products, professional services, information technology and global manufacturing, Nelson Schmidt develops integrated marketing communications programs for its clients, including account planning, creative, direct marketing, interactive, media, production, public relations and research services.
Clients include Club Car, GE Healthcare, Northwestern Mutual, Motorola and Zebra Technologies.
Founded in 1971, Nelson Schmidt has offices in Milwaukee and Madison, Wis., and is a member of MAGNET, the Marketing and Advertising Global Network of 270 agencies in 70 different countries; American Advertising Federation; Business Marketing Association and SME.
Nelson serves on the boards of the Conservation Technology Information Center, Ft. Wayne, Ind.; Wisconsin 4-H Foundation, Madison, Wis.; Agriculture Council of America, Washington, D.C.; National Agri-Marketing Association, Milwaukee, Wis.; Milwaukee Advertising Club. He is president of the Marketing and Advertising Global Network of Pittsburg, Pa.
Nelson has been honored with numerous awards: Friend of the Year from the Milwaukee Art Museum; Excalibur Award from the American Cancer Society; Ruby Award from the Wisconsin Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation and Partner of the Year from the Golf Foundation of Wisconsin.
A native Nebraskan, Nelson graduated from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 1969. His hobbies include golf, sailing, cooking and collecting fine wines and early American art. He and his wife, Michele, have four children and four grand children.
Masters Week was founded in 1964 by then-Chancellor Clifford Hardin. The program brings successful alumni into contact with students through class visitations, campus tours and meetings with clubs and organizations during each fall semester. More than 200 alumni have returned to campus as masters since the program's inception.
UNL faculty nominate alumni each winter for the next year's program. A committee appointed by the chancellor selects masters. The Office of the Chancellor and the Nebraska Alumni Association sponsors Masters Week.