Irish and global PR/Communication leader features in latest episode of career podcast ‘Off the Fence with Purpose’
“Off the Fence with Purpose” is a great listen for anyone searching for meaning in their work, contemplating a career move, managing people, or interested in what drives and motivates individuals in their professional lives.
Presented by Jim Walsh, Founder and Executive Chair of Walsh, one of Ireland’s longest-standing and most respected PR/Communication agencies, and Ellen Gunning, Data Prophet and founder of Mettacomms and the Irish Academy of Public Relation, each episode features a guest who has got off the fence either in moving upwards in their organisation or moving elsewhere.
The third episode in Season 2 is now live and features a conversation with John Saunders, a stalwart of the Irish PR/Communications sector and current Chair of the global PR/Communications agency FleishmanHilliard.
John has come to this leadership position through a number of career moves. His early career included being a sports presenter in RTE and stadium announcer at the home of Shamrock Rovers, the most successful football club in Ireland, and then at Irish international games for the Football Association of Ireland. Through intense perseverance and creativity, he eventually secured the PR/Communications contract for the Budweiser Irish Derby, one of the biggest sponsorship deals in Ireland at the time.
This work led to Fleishman Hilliard entering the Irish marked in a joint venture as Fleishman Hilliard Saunders. Eventually John became the major shareholder in the company which was acquired by the Omnicom Media Group as part of an international deal. His career with Fleshman Hillard flourished, from MD of the Irish office to head of regional offices, global President and CEO and now global Chair.
John is a Life Fellow of the Public Relations Institute of Ireland. He has been Chairman of the Public Relations Consultants Association of Ireland and President of ICCO - the International Communications Consultancy Organisation;
Not only does this entertaining episode deal with his career but it also covers Irish-US relations, being a Grand Marshal at one of the largest St Patrick's Day Parade in the US, speaking at international events, dealing with tech and industry changes and his acknowledgement of the many Irish and US leaders who provide support and friendship throughout his career.
“Off the Fence with Purpose”
As the podcast series enters into its second season, Walsh reflects, “Repeatedly, guests emphasised confidence borne of persistence. Shifting careers requires not just talent, but tenacity.”
“Across the series, conversations have highlighted the importance of networking, lifelong learning and work-life integration, lessons that resonate whether someone is entering the workforce, navigating mid-career change, or progressing within an organisation.”
Hosted by Acast, the podcast is available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
