Global Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Hill+Knowlton Strategies
Prior to leading the global firm, Mr. Martin was founding chairman of Public Strategies, Inc., which was acquired by WPP of London in 2006. After founding Public Strategies in 1988, Mr. Martin oversaw the rapid growth of the firm, which today advises clients at the forefront of a range of industries, from financial services to technology, healthcare and retail, among many others. For over 20 years, Mr. Martin has devoted his time and energy to managing large client relationships involving numerous and complex business transactions around the world. Mr. Martin pioneered a new model in business advisory consulting called “Fifth Seat,” which helps firms manage all of their interactions with the public from one strategic platform. The model focuses on public trust, helping turn corporate reputation into competitive advantage. Mr. Martin’s career has been significantly shaped by his association with his long-time friend and mentor U.S. Senator Lloyd Bentsen, beginning with his first job as travel aide at the age of 21, and serving as executive assistant and campaign manager for two of Bentsen’s re-election campaigns. Mr. Martin serves on the board of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. He is a former member of the board of the LBJ Foundation, which supports public policy education at the University of Texas’s LBJ School of Public Affairs and the Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library and Archives.