Women in Marketing: Staff Picks

As a woman-owned agency, we are committed to fostering diversity and representation among women in marketing. This Women’s History Month, our team takes immense pride in spotlighting the remarkable women who have not only paved the way but also inspired us to strive for greatness.

These are our staff picks, a curated selection of pioneering women whose resilience, innovation, and leadership continue to illuminate our journey and shape the future of marketing.

Betsy McLarney writes:

Nancy Fletcher led the transformation of the Out of Home (OOH) industry over three decades.  She forged a path for suppliers and brands to have greater confidence in OOH results.  She ushered in the digital transformation of billboards and other media formats that set the stage for programmatic buying tactics and a stronger methodology for accurately measuring the effectiveness and results of any OOH campaign.  She advocated strongly for our industry on the legislative front and drove conservation measures with materials and donations.

Nancy underlined the complementary nature of OOH to all other media formats, strengthened OOH as a core component of an integrated media plan, and presided over the growth of OOH from 4-6% of media budgets overall.  Nancy was a formidable friend to the industry, comprised of media owners, agencies, and brands.  Her legacy is legendary and has left an indelible mark on our future.

Christie Massey Writes:

I admire her for being a self-made billionaire and for her outward discussion of her fears…flying, public speaking, failure, etc. Her day-to-day approach to balancing work and life is extremely relatable. I think she is a fabulous role model and such a success story.

In terms of advertising, Sara Blakely was an early implementer of influencer marketing when she sent Oprah a gift basket with her product.

Deana Poole writes:

During this Women’s History Month, we were asked, “Are there any women in marketing or advertising who inspire you?”

With a two-year-old at home, Elyse knew she had more to give. Her experience at New Balance, Comcast, and Philly Mag, as well as her time at Penn State and in Boston getting her master’s, all came down to this: did she have what it takes to take a leap and bet on herself? To not just run an ad campaign and handle marketing for brands on her own, but run a company?

With her conviction and drive, she knew the answer was yes.

Nearly ten years later, Elyse has grown Elysium Marketing Group into a well-known, well-respected agency serving businesses in the franchise world all over the US.

She is passionate about supporting working moms, and several years ago, she created the “WoMo Network,” an online community that hosts learning and networking events focused on encouraging and embracing the working mom’s life.

I can’t think of a more inspiring woman in marketing than Elyse, who had the courage and confidence to believe in her work so fiercely, that she bet it all on herself, and who had the spirit to create a community of working mothers who can lean on each other to do the same.

Hallie Friedman writes:

She was Chairman / CEO of Ogilvy. She is awesome – smart, driven, talented, and so sharp. She got her MBA at Columbia at a time when women primarily, if in business at all, were there as typists. She began at Ogilvy as the only woman in an industry where 90% of the consumers they developed ads/media strategies for were female. The fact that she led Ogilvy to the top, eventually becoming its chairman, is amazing. On top of that, she was married, had kids, and is a huge inspiration for me.

Jon Megahey writes:

Ann Lewnes, Adobe’s CMO, was ahead of her time by spearheading the transition of Adobe’s marketing towards a digital-first approach. Her early investment in digital channels and emphasis on integrating AI and machine learning showcased her insight into recognizing future marketing trends.

Lewnes advanced Adobe’s marketing strategies and positioned the company at the forefront of leveraging technology to improve efficiency and creativity within marketing processes.

Matthew Noll writes:

I’ve always admired Ann Handley. She’s accomplished in so many ways—entrepreneur, thought leader, author, speaker, etc. As someone who spends a lot of time working on content, I really appreciate the practical insights she brings to the field and her approach to never being “done” and always growing.

Dana Johnston writes:

I recently read Britney Spears’s book, The Woman in Me. Listening to her story and learning about everything she endured to become a success was inspiring because she overcame many obstacles on her path to happiness. Women can learn to be independent and strong while pursuing their own passions, and Britney’s story is one of pushing back against outside forces and pressuring them to be less than their authentic selves.