# John Saunders

> John Saunders is the Irish journalist-turned-communications executive who founded the Dublin business that became FleishmanHillard Saunders, led the global agency as president and CEO from 2015 to 2024, and now serves as chairman. His career connects sports broadcasting, entrepreneurship and multinational agency leadership, with an unusually consistent public emphasis on truth, trust and servant leadership.

- **Role:** Chairman at FleishmanHillard
- **Organizations:** FleishmanHillard, RTÉ, International Communications Consultancy Organisation, Public Relations Institute of Ireland, Missouri Botanical Garden, Greater St. Louis, Inc.
- **From:** Dublin, Ireland
- **Nationality:** Irish
- **Education:** Belvedere College S.J., Honorary Doctor of Philosophy, Dublin City University
- **Known for:** Built FleishmanHillard Saunders into Ireland's largest public relations consultancy before its sale to Omnicom in 2001., Served as FleishmanHillard's fourth global president and CEO from 2015 to 2024., Inducted into the ICCO Hall of Fame in 2011 as its 16th member.

## Career timeline

- **c. 1972** — At age 14, created what was described as Ireland's only soccer magazine at the time.
- **Late 1970s-early 1980s** — Worked as a sports presenter and journalist for RTÉ, covering major events including the Olympic Games.
- **Early 1980s** — Moved into public relations, first leading Saunders Wallace and then co-founding Pembroke PR with John Butterly.
- **1990** — Founded FleishmanHillard Saunders in Dublin; the office grew into Ireland's largest public relations consultancy.
- **2001** — Sold the Irish operation to Omnicom.
- **2004** — Named FleishmanHillard regional director for Europe.
- **2005-2007** — Served as president of the International Communications Consultancy Organisation.
- **2011** — Became FleishmanHillard regional president for EMEA and the 16th inductee into the ICCO Hall of Fame.
- **2015** — Appointed president and CEO of FleishmanHillard, the fourth person to hold the role.
- **2017** — Served as grand marshal of the St. Louis St. Patrick's Day Parade.
- **2023** — Received the Individual Achievement SABRE Award and an honorary Doctor of Philosophy from Dublin City University.
- **2024** — Became chairman of FleishmanHillard on October 1, with J.J. Carter succeeding him as president and CEO.
- **2025** — Received the Missouri Honor Medal for Distinguished Service and gave a master class on ethics, trust and communications.

## Achievements

- Built FleishmanHillard Saunders into Ireland's largest public relations consultancy before its sale to Omnicom in 2001.
- Served as FleishmanHillard's fourth global president and CEO from 2015 to 2024.
- Inducted into the ICCO Hall of Fame in 2011 as its 16th member.
- Received the 2023 Individual Achievement SABRE Award.
- Received an honorary Doctor of Philosophy from Dublin City University in 2023.
- Received the 2025 Missouri Honor Medal for Distinguished Service.
- Awarded Honorary Life Membership of the Public Relations Institute of Ireland in 2007.

## Latest updates

- **2026-03** — Appeared on the Off the Fence with Purpose podcast for a career-spanning conversation about sports broadcasting, public relations and global leadership.
- **2025-09** — Received the Missouri Honor Medal for Distinguished Service and presented a master class titled 'If You Don't Stand for Something, You'll Fall for Anything.'
- **2024-10** — Became chairman of FleishmanHillard after nearly nine years as president and CEO.

## Links

- Website: https://fleishmanhillard.com/profile/john-saunders/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saunders-john

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/john-saunders
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-09-24