ABOUT EPISODE

Belle Frank, former Chief Strategy Officer at VML Health, reflects on her unconventional career in advertising, emphasizing the importance of following personal interests. Starting as a foreign language major with dreams of educational television, she stumbled into advertising research. Over her 40-year career, she embraced new challenges, prioritizing team dynamics over prestige or financial gain. She advises young professionals to focus on discovering their work preferences and personal voice rather than adhering to a rigid career path. Frank also highlights the value of continuous learning and growth, sharing how her work on the Brand Asset Valuator helped shape data-driven brand strategy.

Though she may not be as widely recognized as other industry legends, Belle Frank is an immensely respected figure in advertising, particularly for her expertise in consumer insights, brand strategy, and research. Her contributions to strategic planning and brand development have had a lasting impact, shaping how brands connect with their audiences in a meaningful way.

GUEST BIO

Belle, the recently retired Chief Strategy Officer at VML Health, led creative strategy for health care brands like Pfizer and PhRMA, with a diverse background in major consumer products and services including Xerox, AT&T, Vanguard, MetLife, Campbell's, and Jell-O. She also has significant government experience, contributing to the 2020 Decennial US Census and the Department of Health & Human Services Covid Confidence Campaign. Belle was a key player in the agency's growth in health care and co-developed the BrandAsset^® Valuator (BAV^®) model in 1993. Holding a BA in French from Tufts and a master's from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, she taught research at the City University of New York and authored The Advertising On-Ramp. An active volunteer, mentor, and former Parents Association president, Belle recently moved from NYC to the Washington, DC area to be closer to family.

RESOURCES

• LinkedIn