Kevin Roberts
Kevin Roberts is a British-born business executive and marketing author who advises organisations on brand leadership, creative strategy, and business performance in global markets.
- Former CEO Worldwide of Saatchi & Saatchi.
- Held chair roles within Saatchi & Saatchi and was part of the leadership structure of Publicis Groupe.
- Author of Lovemarks: The Future Beyond Brands and 64 Shots: Leadership in a Crazy World.
- Co-author of Peak Performance: Business Lessons from the World’s Top Sporting Organizations.
- Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to business and the community.
- Held honorary professorships in creative leadership, innovation, and leadership at Lancaster University, the University of Auckland Business School, and the University of Victoria.
Full Profile
Key speaking topics
- Brand leadership and marketing strategy
- Creative leadership
- Innovation and creativity in business
- Global advertising and communications
- High-performance culture
- Leadership in complex markets
Ideal for
- CEOs and senior leadership teams
- Marketing and brand executives
- Advertising and communications professionals
- Organisations seeking high-performance culture insights
Audience outcomes
- Clear perspectives on building brands beyond functional differentiation
- Practical insights into creative leadership at scale
- Lessons from global advertising and communications leadership
- Frameworks linking brand strength to business performance
Why organisations work with Kevin Roberts
- Direct experience leading a global advertising network.
- Proven track record in brand strategy and creative leadership.
- Published author on brand building and leadership.
- Experience spanning business, academia, and sports governance.
Biography
Kevin Roberts is a former CEO Worldwide of Saatchi & Saatchi who led one of the world’s most recognised global advertising networks and helped shape brand strategy at scale. His leadership experience spans international markets, global clients, and complex commercial environments, making him a sought-after voice on brand building, creativity, and business performance.
During his tenure at Saatchi & Saatchi, and through subsequent chair roles within the organisation and its parent group, he operated at the centre of global communications strategy. His perspective combines board-level decision-making with hands-on experience in driving brand relevance and competitive positioning across industries.
Roberts is the author of Lovemarks: The Future Beyond Brands and 64 Shots: Leadership in a Crazy World, and co-author of Peak Performance: Business Lessons from the World’s Top Sporting Organizations. His published work explores the connection between emotional engagement, leadership, and sustained business success.
His contribution to business and the wider community was recognised with appointment as a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. He has also held honorary professorships in creative leadership, innovation, and leadership at leading universities in the UK and New Zealand, reflecting the practical and academic relevance of his work.
Alongside his corporate career, Roberts has held governance roles in international rugby, including board-level and chair positions, further strengthening his insight into high-performance cultures and leadership under pressure.
For organisations seeking clarity on brand differentiation, creative leadership, and the commercial impact of marketing at global scale, Kevin Roberts brings senior executive experience, published thought leadership, and cross-sector governance expertise.
Talks
Based on his book 64 Shots: Leadership in a Crazy World, this talk presents frameworks for thriving in volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous environments.
Key takeaways:
- Practical leadership frameworks for navigating volatility and uncertainty
- Clear approaches to decision-making in complex environments
- Strategies for maintaining performance in rapidly changing conditions
Drawing on Lovemarks: The Future Beyond Brands, this session explores how to build brands that inspire deep emotional connections and lasting loyalty.
Key takeaways:
- Understanding the principles behind emotionally connected brands
- Approaches to strengthening brand loyalty
- Practical insight into building brands beyond functional differentiation
This talk examines the integration of data and emotional intelligence to create brands that people genuinely value and connect with.
Key takeaways:
- The role of data in shaping modern brand engagement
- Why emotional intelligence remains central to brand building
- How combining analytics and emotion supports stronger brand relationships
Focusing on the role of creativity in leadership, this session outlines strategies for fostering innovation and agility in fast-paced environments.
Key takeaways:
- The importance of creativity in contemporary leadership
- Methods for encouraging innovation within teams
- Approaches to leading with agility in dynamic markets
This presentation explores the role of creativity in achieving success and shares practical methods for sustaining innovation.
Key takeaways:
- The connection between creativity and performance
- Techniques for maintaining creative momentum
- Practical methods for encouraging innovative thinking