Cathy Shaffner First Female President of Sussman Agency in Southfield

The Sussman Agency, an advertising based in Southfield, has named Cathy Shaffner as its first female president.
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Cathy Shaffne
Cathy Shaffne

The Sussman Agency, an advertising based in Southfield, has named Cathy Shaffner as its first female president.

Shaffner recently was the chief investment officer for Empower Media in Chicago where she helped build one of the largest independent media agencies in the country. Shaffner’s appointment comes as founder Alan Sussman transitions day-to-day responsibilities to an all-new management team headed by 40-year marketing executive Dino Rotondo as CEO.

“Alan built one of the best retail agencies in the country, delivering unprecedented results for his clients,” says Rotondo. “Continuing that dominance will demand savvy leadership. Adults, who understand retail and bring innovative, impactful marketing solutions to our clients. Cathy checks all the boxes and then some.”

Shaffner’s experience is in retail including hospitality, home goods and services, consumer goods and financial.

“After a transformative run at Empower, I was looking for the next big thing,” says Shaffner. “Sussman has deep retail roots and a proven track record for providing extraordinary results for clients. They have a sales DNA in their creative solutions that drives market velocity combined with a client first focus that creates a winning combination.”

Retail experience is at a premium, because without it, the industry is finding it more difficult to generate sales volume and growth.

Ashleigh Hollowell
Ashleigh Hollowell

In addition to Shaffner’s appointment, the agency also announced that Ashleigh Hollowell, a seven-year executive at Sussman is being promoted to chief client officer and will be responsible for all client activities.

“Ashleigh has guided our automotive division with a steady hand and unmatched client service standards,” said Rotondo. “The combination of Ashleigh and Cathy gives our agency a dynamic female executive one-two punch.”

Sussman will continue to provide leadership to some of the agency’s key clients and serve as an advisor to the management team.

“Alan Sussman has proven that he’s one of the top retail marketing minds in the country,” says Rotondo. “This is not retirement for Alan, but another chapter in his historic career. The new management team at Sussman is humbled that Alan has entrusted us with the future direction of the agency.”