In Honor of Women's History Month: The History of Women in Marketing
Women in Marketing
Happy March! The temperatures are rising, the sun is out longer, and you can hear those very first whispers of summer in the spring wind. Not only does March mark an unofficial beginning of Spring, but it is also Women's History Month! This is one of the many times to celebrate the accomplishments of women throughout history.
For too long, women's contributions have been overlooked in entertainment and media. The "Mad Men"-driven world of advertising and marketing is often dominated by males, and as a result, the impacts that women have made in this field are often overlooked.
But that doesn't mean that women haven't left their mark on marketing. On the contrary, many famous women have led the way in marketing and advertising, paving the way for future generations of female marketers.
In honor of Women's History Month, let's take a closer look at some incredible women who have made their mark in the world of marketing:
1. Mary Wells Lawrence
In 1962, at the age of 27, Mary Wells Lawrence became the first female creative director at an advertising agency when Bill Bernbach hired her at Doyle Dane Bernbach. She would make history again in 1964 when she became the first woman to own her advertising agency, Wells Rich Greene.
Lawrence was a pioneer in the use of television advertising and is credited with creating some of the most memorable ad campaigns in history, including the "I can't believe I ate the whole thing" campaign for Alka-Seltzer. She also helped make Braniff Airways a household name with their "End the Plain Plane" campaign.
In addition to her creative genius, Lawrence was also known for her strong business acumen and keen understanding of what clients wanted. Lawrence was inducted into the Advertising Hall of Fame in 1985 and died in 1998 at 73.
2. Virginia Slims Cigarettes Ad Campaign
Although this campaign is very clearly NOT an individual woman, the Virginia Slims brand showcased the power of the feminine influence in early marketing.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, American women made huge strides in business and politics. During this time, tobacco company Philip Morris decided to launch a new product specifically aimed at women. The result was Virginia Slims; a cigarette brand explicitly marketed to women with the slogan "You've come a long way, baby."
The Virginia Slims campaign was hugely successful, not only in terms of sales but also in helping to change how women were viewed in society. The ads depicted women as strong and independent, and the slogan became a rallying cry for the feminist movement.
3. Shelly Lazarus
Shelly Lazarus is the Chairman and CEO of Ogilvy & Mather, one of the largest advertising agencies in the world. She began her career at Ogilvy in 1973 and has been with the company ever since, rising through the ranks to become one of the most powerful women in advertising.
Lazarus is credited with helping to grow Ogilvy into the global advertising powerhouse that it is today. Under her leadership, the company has won numerous awards and accolades.
4. Carol Bartz
Carol Bartz is the former CEO of Yahoo!, which she held from 2009 to 2011. Before her tenure at Yahoo!, Bartz had a long and successful career in marketing, most notably as the executive chairman and CEO of Autodesk, Inc., a position she held from 1992 to 2006.
Bartz is widely credited with helping to turn around Yahoo! during her time as CEO. She is also known for her no-nonsense attitude and ability to get things done. Bartz was inducted into the American Advertising Federation's Hall of Fame in 2012.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, American women made huge strides in business and politics. During this time, tobacco company Philip Morris decided to launch a new product specifically aimed at women. The result was Virginia Slims; a cigarette brand explicitly marketed to women with the slogan "You've come a long way, baby."
5. Ruth Fertel
Ruth Fertel was the founder of Ruth's Chris Steak House, a chain of steakhouses that is now one of the most successful in the world. Fertel started out as a high school chemistry teacher career but became a successful restaurateur and dining marketing powerhouse.
In 1965, she bought a struggling steakhouse in New Orleans and renamed it Ruth's Chris after herself. Under her leadership, the restaurant became a New Orleans institution and eventually expanded to locations worldwide.
6. Sheryl Sandberg
Sheryl Sandberg is the Chief Operating Officer of Facebook and a member of the company's board of directors. Before her current role, Sandberg was the Vice President of Global Online Sales and Operations at Google.
Sandberg is a highly successful businesswoman and is credited with helping to grow Facebook into the global phenomenon it is today. She is also a leading advocate for women in the workplace and author of the best-selling book "Lean In."
7. Barbara Corcoran
Barbara Corcoran is a successful businesswoman and investor who has founded or been involved in numerous businesses throughout her career, including the Corcoran Group, a real estate company.
She is also a regular investor on the ABC reality show "Shark Tank," where she has made numerous successful deals. Corcoran is known for her no-nonsense attitude and her ability to spot a good business opportunity when she sees one.
8. Wendy Clark
Wendy Clark is the Global CEO of dentsu international - a multinational advertising and marketing enterprise. She is also a former President and CEO of DDB Worldwide, one of the largest advertising agencies in the world.
Clark began her career as a copywriter but quickly rose through the ranks to become one of the most powerful women in advertising. Under her leadership, dentsu international has won numerous awards and now oversees nearly 48,000 creative professionals around the globe.
Will You Be The Next World Changer?
Women have made quite a mark on the world of marketing. From starting their businesses to becoming top executives at major corporations, women have proven that they have what it takes to succeed in this field.
If you're a woman passionate about marketing, keep moving onward. You truly have the power to change the world, and there's no telling what you can achieve. So go out there and make your mark!
Are you looking for some help in taking your marketing career to the next level? Let me know! As a digital marketing expert, I have years of experience in strategy, marketing development, and coaching that will help you achieve your goals. So contact me today to get started!
Happy Women's History Month!
