Newport ONE’s own Craig DePole was named Industry All Star by the Direct Marketing Association of Washington (DMAW) at the 2025 Best of Direct Awards Ceremony & Holiday Party in Washington, D.C. 

This prestigious honor,  jointly presented by DMAW and the DMAW Educational Foundation, recognizes a professional considered the “best in our industry”: a role model and ambassador for the direct marketing community who consistently brings out the best in others and helps attract the next generation of talent.  

We couldn’t be prouder that this year, that person is our fearless leader, Craig. 

What the Industry All Star Award Represents 

The Industry All Star Award is not about a single campaign, a single client, or a single year. It celebrates a career of: 

  • Exemplary leadership 
  • Ethical, donor-centric practices 
  • Service to the professional community 
  • A commitment to mentoring and lifting others up 

Specifically, DMAW describes its Industry All Star honorees as individuals whose behavior should be emulated throughout the industry — people who serve as role models and ambassadors for the direct marketing community.  

For those of us who work with Craig every day, this description fits him perfectly. 

Craig’s Journey as a Fundraising Leader 

Craig has been raising funds for great causes for more than two decades. He has built his career on bringing together right-brain creativity and left-brain analytical rigor to help nonprofits tell their stories, build strong donor relationships, and raise the resources they need to change the world. 

Before stepping into his role as President of Newport ONE, Craig spent years growing the agency’s presence in Washington, D.C., while helping to lead innovative, data-driven direct response fundraising programs for nonprofits across the country. 

Under his leadership, Newport ONE has: 

  • Expanded integrated, multi-channel fundraising programs 
  • Helped nonprofits raise millions of dollars through donor-centric strategies  
  • Continued to invest in analytics, digital innovation, and media to serve clients’ evolving needs 

And through it all, Craig has remained what he has always been: a fundraiser first—someone who is deeply invested in our clients’ missions and the donors who make that work possible. 

But that’s just the beginning of what makes Craig deserving of this award… 

A Recognized Voice in the Fundraising Community 

Craig’s leadership extends beyond Newport ONE. 

He has been a member of the Direct Marketing Association of Washington from his earliest years in the industry and he has served on the DMAW board. Craig currently serves on The Nonprofit Alliance board and the ADRFCO Council. He has recently been selected as a member of the Bridge Conference Vision Committee. The Industry All Star Award is a recognition of that sustained, visible leadership — someone who does great work and helps the whole field move forward. 

What This Means for Newport ONE 

For us, Craig’s Industry All Star recognition is both a celebration and a reminder. 

It celebrates: 

  • The high standards we hold ourselves to as an agency 
  • The culture of mentorship and collaboration Craig has helped build 
  • The client-first, donor-centric focus that has shaped Newport ONE for over four decades 

And it reminds us that: 

  • Our work is at its best when we are curious, collaborative, and bold 
  • Great fundraising is about long-term relationships, not one-time transactions 
  • Leadership is measured not only in results, but in how we show up — for our clients, our colleagues, and our community 

Furthermore, Craig’s award is a reflection of the values that define Newport ONE: integrity, innovation, generosity, and an unwavering commitment to the missions we serve. 

If you’d like to learn more about how Craig and the Newport ONE team can help your organization grow a stronger, more integrated fundraising program, we’d love to connect. Craig can be reached at freshideas@newportone.com.