Ad Age, the leading global source of news and insights for the advertising and marketing industry, has recently recognized Suzanne Fanning, the Chief Marketing Officer of Wisconsin Cheese and Executive Vice President of Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, as one of its Leading Women of 2024. This prestigious honor shines a spotlight on women who are driving positive change in the industry and achieving remarkable success in the process.
Suzanne Fanning is known for her boundless creativity and collaborative leadership style, which she infuses into every initiative she undertakes. With decades of experience in the marketing industry, Fanning firmly believes that strategic marketing transcends budget constraints, emphasizing that innovation and creativity are the true catalysts for success.
In her role as CMO, Fanning leads the marketing efforts for Wisconsin’s dairy industry, which has a significant economic impact on the state, generating $45.6 billion and supporting over 150,000 jobs. With 90% of the milk produced in Wisconsin used for cheese production, and 90% of that cheese exported outside the state, Fanning and her team at Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin focus heavily on marketing cheese both nationally and globally.
Chad Vincent, the CEO of Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, commends Fanning for her dedication and impact on the organization, stating, „From the day she arrived in 2018, Suzanne set out to make a difference in the lives of dairy farm families and provide a much-needed voice to cheese companies in our state. She’s put Wisconsin Cheese on the map, and we’re incredibly fortunate to have someone like Su Fanning in our organization.“
Under Fanning’s leadership, sales of Wisconsin specialty cheese have been outpacing the entire specialty cheese category, and brand perceptions have reached an all-time high. The Proudly Wisconsin Cheese® badge awareness has seen a significant 350% increase among the target audience.
In 2024, Fanning and the DFW team achieved remarkable results by implementing various strategic initiatives to promote Wisconsin Cheese. Some of the key accomplishments include launching a successful three-day Art of Cheese Festival, developing over 700 pieces of new marketing content that garnered impressive Google rankings, and securing a brand integration with Bravo’s Top Chef to raise awareness of Wisconsin Cheese and the state’s culinary offerings.
Additionally, Fanning’s efforts resulted in $77 million in earned media placements in renowned publications such as Food & Wine Magazine, Saveur, and USA Today. She also spearheaded the creation of Cheeselandia, a community of brand ambassadors that drove positive word-of-mouth and hosted events nationwide, earning recognition as the best influencer community in the country.
Fanning’s track record of success extends beyond her current role, with achievements such as tripling sales, increasing social engagement by 4000%, and receiving accolades from publications like Forbes and Fast Company. She has been honored with prestigious awards such as Fiskars‘ Global Achievement Award, the People’s Award in the food industry, and recognition as a Top Woman in PR by PRNews.
The Ad Age Leading Women of 2024 awards ceremony will take place in New York City on August 7, where Fanning will be celebrated alongside other accomplished women from companies such as Coca-Cola, Kraft Heinz, and Marriott International. This recognition is a testament to Fanning’s exceptional leadership and contributions to the advertising and marketing industry.
In conclusion, Suzanne Fanning’s innovative marketing strategies and unwavering dedication to promoting Wisconsin Cheese have earned her a well-deserved place among Ad Age’s Leading Women of 2024. Her impact on the dairy industry and her ability to drive positive change serve as an inspiration to women in the field and beyond.