Fort Wayne, IN, April 24, 2023 — Sweetwater, the world’s leading music technology and instrument retailer, today announced the appointment of Jeanine Gaffke as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO).
In this position, Gaffke will play a vital role in driving Sweetwater’s continued growth and evolution as a leader in the music industry. She succeeds David Stewart, who is retiring after 31 years with Sweetwater.
“We are delighted to bring Jeanine on as our Chief Marketing Officer,” said Sweetwater CEO John Hopkins. “She has an impressive background and track record of results, and we look forward to her contributions as we continue to expand our marketing initiatives in new ways. Jeanine will be an excellent addition to our leadership team.”
Before joining Sweetwater, Gaffke held executive leadership roles at The AZEK Company, Emerson Corporation and HALO Investing, among others. She has led efforts in branding, organic growth initiatives, marketing, communications and digital efforts.
“I am thrilled to be joining a company with such a strong track record and tremendous growth opportunities,” said Gaffke. “Sweetwater has set itself apart in the industry – always placing a premium on the customer experience, making people’s music dreams a reality, while simultaneously innovating and adapting to changes in the market. I am grateful to David for his three-decade tenure and vision for Sweetwater and I look forward to ushering in continued growth for the company.”
Gaffke’s achievements include being named one of Crain’s Notable Women in Manufacturing in 2019, Crain’s Notable Marketing Executives in 2020, HBS Top Women in Hardware & Building Supplies in 2020, and has been a Business Marketing board member and President since 2002. Gaffke graduated from Indiana University Bloomington and earned her MBA from DePaul University.
About Sweetwater
Founded in 1979, Sweetwater is the No. 1 online retailer of music instruments and audio gear in the U. S. The company is respected as the nation’s leading retailer serving musicians, recording studios, broadcast, education, and houses of worship. Sweetwater’s customers can be found everywhere music is heard and audio is played, broadcast, or recorded, including recording, film, and broadcast studios in New York, Nashville, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami; in hundreds of thousands of home recording studios; and in schools and churches nationwide. Sweetwater’s founding and meteoric growth are built on a knowledgeable and experienced staff, outstanding selection and pricing, and, above all, an unwavering commitment to customer service excellence in every situation. For further information, visit www.sweetwater.com.