Member Spotlight: Fran McManus
Member Spotlight:
Fran McManus
Owner, McBrand Marketing
MSWIT Board Member/Vice President
A Career Built on Passion, Purpose, and the Power of Tourism
Fran dropped into the ad business just as she finished college – long after Mad Men, but in a similar world. Those who ran the show were older men – who sometimes drank their lunches – making backroom deals in smoky rooms. The stories are real. She took advantage of every opportunity and for more than three decades, she has been a driving force in marketing—shaping brands, elevating destinations, and championing the people and places that make Louisiana unforgettable. Her journey started at Bauerlein Advertising, one of the largest agencies in the south, them moved on to Peter Mayer Advertising during its years as the largest agency in the state. It was there she became a trusted partner to some of Louisiana’s most influential tourism organizations, including the Louisiana Office of Tourism, the Louisiana Travel Association (then LTPA), and nearly every tourism bureau across the state. Her work didn’t just move the needle—it earned widespread recognition, contributing to numerous awards for Louisiana Tourism and other clients. The Ad Club of New Orleans honored her with both the Production Person of the Year award and the Account Executive of the Year award—twice.
Her passion for travel and tourism led her next to Miles Partnership, a consultancy dedicated exclusively to the industry she loved. She once again collaborated with the Louisiana Office of Tourism and later partnered with New Orleans & Company, helping connect brands with audiences through newsletters, websites, and visitor guides. The work was meaningful, the relationships deep, and the joy unmistakable.
Never one to stand still, she launched her own consulting business, guiding clients through marketing plans, RFP development, branding, and more. And when a longtime client – Scott Equipment – invited her into a new role in the construction equipment industry, she embraced the opportunity—while making it clear that tourism would always remain part of her professional identity. After all, as she likes to remind people, without construction equipment, you can’t build the hotels, restaurants, attractions, or even the roads that make tourism possible.
Her commitment to excellence has never wavered. Last year, she received one of the industry’s highest honors: the Silver Medal Lifetime Achievement Award from the Ad Club of New Orleans, recognizing her extraordinary contributions to marketing and her lasting impact on the field.
Beyond her career, she finds joy in traveling with her husband Joe and their family, who remind her to embrace happiness and live fully. She gives back through volunteer work with women’s organizations . She serves as Vice President for MSWIT, an advisory board member for LikeMindedLadies and she volunteers with Dress for Success. She is also and active member of the New Orleans Chamber.
Guided by the belief that you can’t do everything—but you can do something—she approaches every experience with positivity and purpose. Her story is one of dedication, commitment and a lifelong love for the industry that shaped and supported her.