FIPP mourns the death of Donald Kummerfeld

FIPP is sad to report the passing of Donald Kummerfeld, its former president and CEO, on 4 July 2012 in Jersey City, New Jersey, USA. He was 78.

During Don'€™s eight-year tenure at FIPP (2001-2009), the organisation experienced dramatic growth in membership, global reach, international events and services to the global magazine industry. Don travelled the world many times over to promote the magazine industry and meet with FIPP members.

Before joining FIPP, Don was chairman of Kummerfeld Associates, a consulting and investment-banking firm in New York, USA, which he founded in 1985. He also served as president and CEO of the MPA, the association of magazine media, also in New York, USA, from 1987 to 1999. Don was appointed president and chief operating officer of Rupert Murdoch’s news America Publishing in 1978, and other publishing experience included being founding partner of the Government Research Corporation and publisher of the Washington-based news weekly National Journal.

Donâ€'s career began in 1961 when he became a staff officer in the Executive Office of the president in Washington DC under president Kennedy and Johnson. During 1976-1978, he served as budget director and first deputy Mayor of New York city under Mayor Ed Koch, playing a major role in rescuing the city from a significant financial crisis. He held a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from Stanford University and a master'€™s degree in government from Harvard University.

Don is survived by his wife, Beth, daughter Tia and grandson, Alexander. His death is a great loss to us all, and we will miss him dearly.