Legendary Businesswoman Dies

(TotalConservative.com) – A legendary advertising businesswoman known for her work in public relations died from cancer at the age of 68.

Former advertising vice president of Anne Klein, Connie Lynn Francis-Cioffi died at her Miami Beach residence on Wednesday, July 3. Her husband, John Vincent Cioffi, said Francis-Cioffi suffered from metastatic cancer and died from complications related to the illness.

The advertising executive was born in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 13, 1955. She graduated as a London Scholar from the Fashion Institute of Technology. Francis-Cioffi spent her early career working in public relations at Pinky & Dianne for five years followed by Zoran for a year as public relations director.

In 1984, Francis-Cioffi joined Anne Klein as public relations and advertising director, including for the company’s licensing branch, Anne Klein Ltd. She worked under head designer Louis Dell’Olio and then-president of Anne Klein, Frank Mori.

By 1991, she became the director of advertising and vice president of Anne Klein Apparel Group under company president Andrew Rosen. The new department of advertising and public relations was created to generate a consistent brand image for all of the subsidiary companies under Anne Klein. Shortly after, she met her husband, and the two married in 1993.

In a statement about her death, Dell’Olio said that Francis-Cioffi was “loyal” and always had his back and “protected” him. Dell’Olio described the executive as “smart and efficient” and as someone who “knew how to shield” her clients and “keep people at bay.” The designer said Francis-Cioffi was involved in all aspects of her business.

Designer Patrick Robinson and his wife, Virginia Smith, worked at Anne Klein with Francis-Cioffi. Smith, director of Vogue’s Global Fashion Network, described Francis-Cioffi as someone with “incredible taste” who shied away from the spotlight while shining it on others.

In 1996, Francis-Cioffi left Anne Klein and started her own private advertising and public relations agency, maintaining a relationship with her former employer as clients and working with other known brands, such as Irving Penn and Ralph Lauren. Her husband described her as someone who “embraced” each new chapter “with grace and enthusiasm.” He said she was someone who was “polite” while still knowing how to “stand her ground.”