| American Biographical Institute | |
| Industry: | Who's Who scam |
| Fate: | Bankrupt in 2012 |
| Founded: | 1967 |
| Defunct: | 2012 |
| Hq Location City: | Raleigh, North Carolina |
| Hq Location Country: | United States |
| Products: | Sale of, awards and biographical reference directories |
| Owner: | Arlene Calhoun |
| Num Employees: | 1 (2012) |
The American Biographical Institute (ABI) was a paid-inclusion vanity award publisher based in Raleigh, North Carolina which had been publishing biographical reference directories since 1967. It generated revenue from sales of valueless certificates and books to those listed. Each year the company awarded hundreds of "Man of the Year" or "Woman of the Year" awards at between $195 and $295 each.
Its awards were frequently denounced as scams by politicians,[1]
The company went bankrupt in 2012.[7]
The ABI invited individuals to purchase various honors as a commemorative in their inclusion for a specific biography. One former employee explained that the company bought mailing lists from organizations, and using those names, they sent out blanket mailings inviting individuals to be in biographical books or to accept awards.[8] Such honors include "International Man of the Year," "Most Admired Man of the Decade" or "Outstanding Man of the 21st Century" (see list below), or to be included in ABI publications, such as 500 Leaders of Science[9] or The World Book of Knowledge,[10] in exchange for a contribution fee.[11] Those who accept, who provided their own biographies,[12] were offered books or certificates at prices as high as US $795.
On its website, the publisher described itself as "one of the world’s leading biographical reference publishers and authorities on global contemporary achievement" and claims that "inclusion in an ABI reference title is based on personal achievement alone and is not available for purchase." The ABI shared an address and P.O. box with the United Cultural Convention, another purveyor of for-profit awards.
The ABI was the co-host, with the International Biographical Centre, of a yearly World Forum (previously the International Congress on Arts and Communications), which invited a group for a week of professional seminars, artistic displays, and performances, and culture sharing. Host cities over the 31 yearly meetings have included New York; Washington D.C.; New Orleans; San Francisco; Edinburgh; Cambridge, UK; Nairobi; Madrid; Lisbon; Cambridge, Mass. USA; Oxford, UK.; Singapore; and Sydney.[13] The Maitre Artiste of Ethiopia, Afewerk Tekle was a regular attendee. No proceedings of these forums were produced except the ABI which included these in a newsletter. The often prestigious location was later listed on their literature as if to add gravitas.
In 2007, referring to the International Biographical Centre, the American Biographical Institute, and Marquis Who's Who, Jan Margosian, consumer information coordinator for the Oregon Department of Justice, warned consumers to be wary and called the companies "pretty tacky", adding "I don't know why they would put you in there if they weren't hoping to get you to buy the book. "You truly have to look at how they are marketing and what the spin is. It's something you might want to watch out for."[14]
New awards were continually created and marketed. Most awards were available for between US $195 and $495, payable by the recipient, depending on their level of prestige and the quality of the printing on the certificate and the material in the frame or mount. In 2005 the Institute awarded 200 "Man of the Year" awards at between $195 and $295 each.[15]
American Biographical Institute gave awards like Man of The Year or Scientific Award of Excellence to many people in a year. Every award could be purchased from them.
The ABI did not provide a consolidated list of all the awards, medals, diplomas, and certificates it issues, but the titles of the honors may be identified through the recipients' use of them in their résumés.