After over 25 years in the field, she became an independent consultant in 2022, providing strategic advice to Fortune 500 and international world-class brands.
DARIEN, CT, November 13, 2024 /24-7PressRelease/ — Susanne Smith McAvoy has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected based on current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all considered during the selection process.
Ms. McAvoy, a distinguished professional in the marketing and media industry, has made significant contributions throughout her career. After over 25 years in the field, she became an independent consultant in 2022, providing strategic advice to Fortune 500 and international world-class brands.
Before retiring, Ms. McAvoy worked for Warner Bros Discovery as the head of marketing and senior vice president of marketing and creative partnerships for the Food Network and the Cooking Channel from 2019 to 2021. Her role was also pivotal in creating Discovery Plus, leveraging her extensive experience to contribute to its success.
Ms. McAvoy is most renowned for her transformative work at Hallmark Media. Hired in 2009, she began her long-standing association with the entertainment company, holding multiple senior positions, including chief marketing officer and executive vice president of marketing, creative and communications from 2014 to 2018. During her tenure, Ms. McAvoy successfully rebranded Crown Media to Hallmark Media, spearheading the development of beloved franchises such as “Countdown for Christmas,” “Loveuary” (formerly “Countdown to Valentine’s Day”) and “Spring Fling.” These initiatives not only captured the hearts of audiences but also significantly boosted sales and brand recognition. Additionally, Ms. McAvoy launched “Hallmark Movies Now,” (now Hallmark+), a streaming service, further expanding the Hallmark brand.
Following college, Ms. McAvoy embarked on a transformative journey in Asia, working at Turner International in Hong Kong before returning to the U.S. to continue her association with the organization in Atlanta. Her career trajectory took her to New York, where she joined MTV as an affiliate marketing manager from 1997 to 2001. Ms. McAvoy then held various roles at Oxygen Media and Comcast Spotlight before joining Bravo Media as an acting director of advertising sales marketing consultant in 2007.
Ms. McAvoy’s career began with a strong foundation in the entertainment industry. After earning a Bachelor of Science in human development from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1993, she developed a passion for the field during a semester at CNN in Washington, D.C. This experience during the first Bush-Clinton election ignited her interest in news reporting.
Ms. McAvoy’s dedication extends beyond her professional achievements. She is an active member of several industry-related organizations, including Promax and CTAM. She is also a member, former New York chapter president and membership chair for The WICT Network and has been a member of the New York WICT chapter board since 2007. Previously, Ms. McAvoy was a fellow of Class XXIV at the Betsy Magness Leadership Institute, established by The WICT Network, from 2011 to 2012.
Apart from her work-related endeavors, Ms. McAvoy’s commitment to civic engagement is evident through her involvement with organizations such as St. Thomas More Catholic Church, the Cure PSP Organization and the Wave Strong Organization. As a member of the Stamford Center for the Arts Palace Theatre board of directors, she continues to support the arts community.
In light of her contributions, Ms. McAvoy has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Ad Age Woman to Watch in 2016 and multiple times as one of the Most Powerful Women in Cable by Cablefax from 2012 to 2017. She was also named Wonder Woman by Multichannel News in 2017, and she and her team received recognition as the Marketing Team of the Year by Cablefax in 2018.
In the future, Ms. McAvoy envisions utilizing her skills and passion in the travel, media and nonprofit sectors. She aspires to actively contribute to meaningful causes and positively impact others’ lives through work with deep personal significance.
About Marquis Who’s Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who’s Who in America®, Marquis Who’s Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who’s Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who’s Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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