fluent360, Chicago-based full-service agency shaping the multicultural marketing industry, is proud to announce that its founder and CEO, Danielle Austen, has been named 2023 Advertising Woman of the Year by the Chicago Advertising Federation (CAF).
The award recognizes outstanding leadership by a woman in the Chicago marketing community. Recipients make significant contributions within the field of advertising and the companies they lead, raising the standards of the profession while supporting others through their professional, civic and community engagement.
“It is truly an honor to be the recipient of this year’s Advertising Woman of the Year Award. In its 65th year of existence, I thank the Chicago Advertising Federation for continuing to recognize and celebrate women who trailblaze in this industry and our community. I am simply humbled to join this group of amazing women who have led the way for many others, including me.”
Austen founded fluent360 in 2008 with a single client and a team of five employees looking to take the next evolutionary leap in the multicultural marketing discipline. Her vision was to elevate how people of color were portrayed in marketing communications. Today, the agency boasts a multifaceted team of over 100 employees and a roster of Fortune 500 clients spread across three offices in Chicago, New York and Nashville.
“On behalf of the CAF board, I am proud to honor Danielle Austen as our 2023 Advertising Woman of the Year,” said CAF President Kristian May Stewart. “Danielle’s trajectory in our industry has been nothing short of inspiring, and her unique position as an African American female business owner further cements her place as an exceptional woman in advertising. Danielle and her team work day in and day out to imbue multicultural representation in the marketplace and in their ethos.”
Through her life’s philanthropic work, Danielle Austen continues her tireless mission to level the playing field for marketing professionals of color.
The CAF will celebrate Austen’s achievements at an awards dinner on March 23, 2023 at the Swissotel Chicago.
