Esther *ET* Franklin

Esther is a transformative, multi-sector business executive who architects growth at the intersection of brand/marketing/healthcare strategy, audience intelligence and AI-powered innovation – delivering measurable outcomes for some of the world?s most recognized brands. A trusted C-Suite advisor and organizational builder who has led CEO transition, she brings the strategic foresight and digital fluency to lead brands – and the teams behind them – through the complexities of an AI-powered world.

Expertise. Scales global organizations driving shareholder value and business transformation; (Enterprise Growth & Organizational Scale). Engineers strategies deepening customer relationships and connecting brand investment to measurable growth; (Audience-First Strategies). Applies generative AI to audience intelligence and marketing innovation; (AI & Generative Technology Integration). Repositions iconic brands by connecting strategy to business results; (Brand & Marketing Strategy). Guides senior leaders through AI-driven transformation & evolving ways of working – across consumer and healthcare sectors – fostering high-performing environments where all talent can thrive; (C-Suite Advisory & Executive Leadership). Wins and expands client relationships across retail, CPG, financial services, healthcare, QSR, insurance & entertainment globally; (New Business Development). Recognition. 3x Cannes Lions Judge, Crain?s Chicago Business – Notable Nonprofit Board Leader (2024).

Transformative Growth. As Chief Strategy Officer at Publicis Media (PM) – a division of Publicis Groupe, one of the world?s largest marketing and communications conglomerates – Esther drives transformative growth and organizational scale. A pivotal leader on the executive team and a direct report to the Global CEO of Spark Foundry – the flagship brand inside PM – she was central in architecting its global expansion while building a culture fit for global enterprise. The organization scaled from 160 to 3,000+ diverse employees across 50 countries during her tenure, elevating it to a large-cap, global enterprise generating significant shareholder value through early adoption of AI-powered business models and generative technology integration.

Audience Strategy as Competitive Advantage – From Retention to New Revenue. Esther pioneers? audience-first marketing strategies helping brands deepen relationships with existing customers while identifying new ones for growth. Combining brand/category/consumer/health data powered by generative AI, her leadership drives teams to pinpoint high-value audience segments and identify outcomes each must deliver against business goals. Her approach yields relevant audience insights; the foundation brands leverage to calibrate an intentional mix of precise targeting and relevant content meeting customers where they are across social/e-commerce/traditional media platforms. As a result, brands can engage customers across their full lifecycle driving loyalty & long-term growth. This method unlocks growth for Fortune 500 brands including Citibank, Comcast, KFC, NVI (National Vision, Inc.), Marriott, Mattel, Vanguard & Publicis Health Media (PHM). It also secured major new business wins and expanded scope across retail, CPG, financial services, QSR, insurance and entertainment sectors globally.

Leading the Future: Outcomes Focused Executive in the Age of Intelligent Organizations. Esther knows what it takes to build leaders and inclusive organizations for an AI-powered world. After leading the largest practice area of Spark Foundry, 400+ media strategists and planners, she is now actively guiding C-Suite teams through that transition. She combines digital/cultural fluency and human depth to design marketing and brand strategies that meet the moment – engineering new ways of working that fuel cross-functional collaboration, elevate talent, and deliver innovative solutions through evolving, data-driven approaches. Through this foresight, Esther has led AI-powered digital transformation, brand and marketing repositioning initiatives for Global Disney Parks, Starbucks, Macy’s, and Kimberly-Clark ? creating strategic frameworks that connect brand investments to prioritized audiences and measurable, business outcomes.

Boards/Recognition/Organizations. BOARDS: Chicago Urban League – Secretary, The Family Institute at Northwestern University – Chair, Lurie Children?s Hospital – Advisory Board, WARC Rankings – Advisory Board. RECOGNITION: Advertising Woman of the Year – Chicago Advertising Federation, Advertising Legend – ADCOLOR. MEMBER: Northwestern University Council of 100, Private Directors Association, The Arts Club of Chicago, The Chicago Network (TCN), The Economic Club of Chicago.

Esther received her M.M. from Northwestern University ? Kellogg School of Management. And her B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Illinois ? Urbana/Champaign.