Jean Gianfagna Inducted into AAF-Cleveland Hall of Fame
Cleveland marketing strategist and consultant Jean Gianfagna has been inducted into the Hall of Fame of the American Advertising Federation-Cleveland (AAF-CLE).
The Hall of Fame is AAF-CLE’s highest honor, reserved for advertising pioneers who have attained noteworthy success in advertising and marketing. Hall of Fame members include some of America’s best known advertising professionals who have helped make Cleveland a thriving center for creative achievement for more than 100 years.
Jean began her career in advertising and marketing as a copywriter at a small ad agency in Washington, DC. She joined a larger agency as copy chief and eventually was named Advertising and Promotions Director for a large, international business publishing company.
In 1992, Jean and her family moved from Washington to Cleveland, giving her the opportunity to strive for a lifelong dream: Owning her own advertising and marketing agency.
Though Jean had a wealth of skills and experience, she didn’t know anyone in Northeast Ohio. She began building a professional network in Northeast Ohio by becoming an active member of marketing trade associations, including AAF-CLE. She soon landed her first local client, Cleveland State University’s Division of Continuing Education, a relationship that would last more than 20 years.
Jean at the podium accepting her award
Over the next 30+ years, the agency Jean started from scratch, Gianfagna Strategic Marketing, Inc., became a full-service advertising, branding, and marketing advisory firm. Clients have included FORTUNE® 500 companies and other prominent marketers such as IBM, J.P. Morgan Chase, CBIZ, Cornell University, Ohio University, national trade associations, manufacturing companies, law firms, consulting firms, and health care firms. The agency has had many client relationships lasting 10 or more years and won dozens of awards for creative and marketing excellence. Jean also became one of the region’s most successful women business owners, with multiple regional and national awards for entrepreneurial achievement.
Jean and her son Jimmy after the ceremony
Jean has been an active leader in the advertising and marketing industry in Cleveland and beyond for more than 35 years. She served several years as a board member and officer of AAF-CLE. As chapter president, she developed the organization’s first strategic plan and led the chapter to multiple national honors. She also served two years on the AAF District 5 Board of Directors. In addition, she was president of the Northeast Ohio Direct Marketing Association and the National Association of Women Business Owners-Cleveland.
Jean has volunteered and shared her marketing expertise with many nonprofits, including a regional hospital, two regional cancer charities, and the Westlake City Schools. She holds a B.S. in Journalism summa cum laude from Ohio University and was honored as the University’s Outstanding Journalism Graduate. A native of Toledo, she has been inducted into the Thomas A. DeVilbiss High School Alumni Hall of Fame.
