Guthy-Renker LLC is a direct-response marketer known primarily for selling products in the United States via infomercials. The company also sells products direct to consumer through a variety of media channels (TV, print, radio, web) via offices in numerous countries. Named after its two founders, Bill Guthy and Greg Renker[1], the company was established in 1988 and is today one of the world's largest direct response television companies with sales of more than $1.5 billion per year and an average annual growth rate of 25% over the last 10 years."[2]
Guthy-Renker is headquartered in Palm Desert, CA; and has offices in Santa Monica, CA; San Francisco, CA; London, England; Malmo, Sweden; Wiesbaden, Germany; Helsinki, Finland; Shanghai, China; Tokyo, Japan; Sydney, Australia; and New Delhi, India.[3]
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Greg Renker, founding co-principal and current Co-Chairman of Guthy-Renker, is a businessman, industry leader and philanthropist. He resides in Palm Springs, CA with his wife Stacey and three sons.
Renker was born in Arizona and grew up throughout the United States while his father pursued a career in resort, hotel and country club management. As a result, Renker was exposed to elite elements of society at a young age and developed high standards of excellence.[5] Renker attended San Diego State University, and graduated with a B.A. in 1980.
Renker served in formative roles during the early years of the evolving infomercial platform, most notably as a founding member of the National Infomercial Marketing Association (NIMA) – which later evolved into the Electronic Retailing Association (ERA) in 1997[6] – and chosen representative to testify before Congress during the Federal Trade Commission investigation of consumer protection and infomercial advertising in 1990. Renker helped to develop the ERA’s Self Regulatory Program, a set of industry standards and guidelines developed while Renker served as chairman of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors.[7] Renker now serves as Chairman Emeritus of the organization.
Renker has been honored with numerous industry awards for his contributions to the direct marketing sector. Advertising Age magazine has named him to its "Marketing 100" list. Renker has been spotlighted by Fortune Magazine on its list of "America's Smartest Young Entrepreneurs" and also was honored as one of Inc. Magazine's Regional Entrepreneurs of the Year.[8] In 2004, he received ERA's Lifetime Achievement Award. In September 2011, Renker was honored as a "Legend of Advertising" by the American Advertising Federation of Palm Springs • Desert Cities.[9]
Renker and wife Stacey founded the Renker Wellness Center for the treatment of cardiac and pulmonary patients at the Eisenhower Medical Center in March 2004.[10] In addition, the couple donated funds to build a cutting-edge, luxury in-patient facility -- the Greg and Stacey Renker Pavilion, also at the Eisenhower Medical Center. Renker also serves as Chairman of the Annenberg Center for Health Sciences at the Eisenhower Medical Center.
Bill Guthy, founding co-principal and current Co-Chairman of Guthy-Renker, is an entrepreneur, businessman, and industry leader. Primarily focused on finance and operations for the company, Guthy is also responsible for sales and marketing efforts.
Guthy grew up in Queens, NY with his mother and brother. The family moved to Pasadena when Guthy was 15, at which point Guthy realized he wanted to start his own business someday.[11]
Guthy studied theology and psychology at Ambassador College and served as senior class president. He paid for his education by working in the school’s audio-visual department where he made audio tapes for the blind. The experience formed the basis for his first venture - Guthy founded Cassette Productions Unlimited (CPU) in 1977, which quickly grew into one of the largest audio-video manufacturers in the country.[12]
While Guthy pursued production contracts with many of the pioneers in the growing infomercial industry, he was determined to enter the sector himself. The opportunity came when he developed a friendship with Renker, and the two produced an infomercial of Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich.[13] It became the first show that Guthy-Renker would produce and grossed $10 million.[14]
Guthy has been named by Fortune Magazine on its list of "America's Smartest Young Entrepreneurs" and also was named as one of Inc. Magazine's Regional Entrepreneurs of the Year.[15] He has three children with his wife, Victoria Jackson.
On March 7, 2011, Guthy-Renker announced its intention to partner with Sacramento based financial company, Paramount Equity. Guthy-Renker will take a significant equity stake in Paramount Equity. The Paramount Equity brand houses Paramount Equity Mortgage, Paramount Equity Insurance Services, and Paramount Energy Solutions.[16] Guthy-Renker will provide marketing resources to help Paramount Equity grow nationally.[17]