Robin Clarke Appointed Global CEO of M&C Saatchi’s Passions & PR Specialism

M&C Saatchi Group announces the appointment of Robin Clarke as the new global CEO of its Passions & PR specialism. 

He will report into the group’s global CEO, Zaid Al-Qassab, and sit on the agency’s executive leadership team (ELT), working closely alongside the specialism’s chair, Richard Thompson. 

He will take direct global responsibility for the group’s activities across its Sport & Entertainment businesses, as well as its PR business, Talk, working closely with regional leaders to develop a go-to-market approach which integrates this expertise with our other capabilities, whilst looking for ways to further grow the M&C Saatchi business across sport, music, film, lifestyle and other areas of cultural engagement.

With nearly 25 years of experience in the sports and entertainment industry, Robin is set to bring his exceptional leadership and expansive network to the role, driving the global agency group to even greater success. 

Robin’s career began in sports hospitality sales, paving the way for a remarkable journey in the agency world, which started at M&C Saatchi over twenty years ago. Over the years, he has demonstrated an outstanding ability to manage and grow businesses, as evidenced by successful tenures at Starcom and Publicis Sport & Entertainment.

In 2018, Robin took on the role of SVP International for cultural marketing agency 160over90, where he is recognised for successfully operating across the wider Endeavor network (IMG, WME, UFC). 

His remarkable achievements at 160over90 earned him a promotion in 2021, elevating him to the position of global EVP at the 800-person strong agency. His strategic vision and leadership have been instrumental in securing and nurturing key client relationships, with prestigious global brands such as DP World, Visa, AB InBev, and Marriott.

"We are delighted to welcome Robin as the CEO of our Passions & PR specialism," said Zaid Al-Qassab, global CEO of M&C Saatchi. "His extensive experience, strategic mindset, and deep industry connections make him the perfect leader to drive our vision forward. We are confident that under his guidance, the Passions & PR specialism will continue to thrive and deliver exceptional results for our clients."

Robin Clarke added, "I am incredibly excited to return to M&C Saatchi and lead the Passions & PR specialism. The agency's reputation for creativity and pushing boundaries is second to none, and I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves and get to work with the talented teams to achieve incredible things for our clients.”