Intro

Early life

First Commentary 

Starting a PR Career

Fleishmanhillard  

Omnicom 

Influencers and Technology 

PR Business Model 

Remote Work

Transition from CEO and Chairman 

Closing comments 

In October 2024, John Saunders became Chairman of St. Louis-based public relations firm FleishmanHillard, having served as CEO for the previous nine years. Not many Irish people get to head global businesses based out of the U.S., but John Saunders did just that.

From humble beginnings as a sports presenter with RTE, he has carved out a stellar career in the public relations industry. In this latest episode of The Renatus Podcast, John talks to host Greg Dilger about the PR business generally, as well as his own firm, FleishmanHillard, and its multibillion-dollar parent company, Omnicom. He offers fascinating insights into the evolving role of PR in a digital world, including the phenomenal growth of the influencer space, the use of AI, and the future of work.

In October 2024, John Saunders became Chairman of St. Louis-based public relations firm FleishmanHillard, having served as CEO for the previous nine years. Not many Irish people get to head global businesses based out of the U.S., but John Saunders did just that.
From humble beginnings as a sports presenter with RTE, he has carved out a stellar career in the public relations industry. In this latest episode of The <a href="https://renatus.ie/">Renatus</a> Podcast, John talks to host Greg Dilger about the PR business generally, as well as his own firm, FleishmanHillard, and its multibillion-dollar parent company, Omnicom. He offers fascinating insights into the evolving role of PR in a digital world, including the phenomenal growth of the influencer space, the use of AI, and the future of work.

The Renatus podcast, hosted by Greg Dilger, is a series of conversations with people in business - owners, operators, and investors. At Renatus, we believe that there is no more powerful way of learning than listening to high achievers talk about their businesses and challenges.

The Renatus podcast, hosted by Greg Dilger, is a series of conversations with people in business - owners, operators, and investors. At Renatus, we believe that there is no more powerful way of learning than listening to high achievers talk about their businesses and challenges.

The Renatus Podcast

Renatus Capital Partners is an Irish private equity firm based in Dublin that provides supportive and strategic capital to ambitious SMEs.

The Renatus Podcast, hosted by Greg Dilger, is a series of conversations with people in business - owners, operators, and investors. At Renatus, we believe that there is no better way of learning than listening to high achievers talk frankly about their businesses and their challenges.

Renatus&nbsp;Capital Partners is an Irish private equity firm based in Dublin that provides supportive and strategic capital to ambitious SMEs.
The Renatus Podcast, hosted by Greg Dilger, is a series of conversations with people in business - owners, operators, and investors. At Renatus, we believe that there is no better way of learning than listening to high achievers talk frankly about their businesses and their challenges.

”Almost overnight we have a global influencer industry” -  with John Saunders, Chairman of FleishmanHillard

Early life and career 

Promotion at Irish Life

Becoming COO at 30

Joining the CEO process of Irish Life

Sponsoring Pádraig Harrington  

Starting to work with Rory Mcllroy 

Negotiating with global brands 

Rory's media image and dealing with pressure 

Current views on golf trajectory 

Stepping down as CEO Rory Mcllroy INC

Supporting Women's sports 

In 2013, when Rory McIlroy, one of the best golfers of all time, parted company with his agent Horizon Sports, there would have been no shortage of high-calibre candidates for the CEO role in his new Dublin-based management company - Rory McIlroy Inc.

The fact that Rory turned to a low-profile but well-respected Athy-born actuary called Donal Casey says it all.

Donal, who was a decent amateur golfer and a self-confessed golf nerd, was an inspired choice, and he thrived in the role. He always believed that longer-term thinking, which was a fundamental pillar of his actuarial background, was a big advantage in the world of corporate sponsorship, image rights, and endorsements.

Donal (now 56) stepped down from RMI last year after 11 enjoyable years in the role.

In this podcast, Donal talks about his early life in Co. Kildare, his career as an actuary in Irish Life, and his time working with Rory McIlroy. He talks about his interest in and passion for women’s sports - particularly golf and athletics.

Hosted by Greg Dilger of Renatus.

In 2013, when Rory McIlroy, one of the best golfers of all time, parted company with his agent Horizon Sports, there would have been no shortage of high-calibre candidates for the CEO role in his new Dublin-based management company - Rory McIlroy Inc.
The fact that Rory turned to a low-profile but well-respected Athy-born actuary called Donal Casey says it all.
Donal, who was a decent amateur golfer and a self-confessed golf nerd, was an inspired choice, and he thrived in the role. He always believed that longer-term thinking, which was a fundamental pillar of his actuarial background, was a big advantage in the world of corporate sponsorship, image rights, and endorsements.
Donal (now 56) stepped down from RMI last year after 11 enjoyable years in the role.
In this podcast, Donal talks about his early life in Co. Kildare, his career as an actuary in Irish Life, and his time working with Rory McIlroy. He talks about his interest in and passion for women&rsquo;s sports - particularly golf and athletics.
Hosted by Greg Dilger of <a href="https://renatus.ie/">Renatus</a>.

"Golf's fundamental power is the adjacent wealth - the real wealth is outside the ropes" - with Donal Casey, former CEO of Rory McIlroy Inc.

About Peter

Joining the board & becoming CEO

Going from Non-Exec to CEO

How Flutter came together

More than just a bookmaker

Listing in the US stock market

FanDuel Acquisition

Support from the board for FanDuel

Relationship with the Chair

Legislation and Regulations

Money Laundering

The Flutter Edge

Remote working

Mark Flood episode summary

Peter Jackson, CEO of Flutter Entertainment

In this episode of theRenatus podcast, host Greg Dilger speaks to Peter Jackson, the CEO of Flutter Entertainment, the world’s largest sports betting and iGaming operator. Peter has been CEO since 2018, having originally joined as a Non-Exec Director of what was then called Paddy Power Betfair in 2013.

The acquisition of FanDuel has opened up huge opportunities for Flutter in the US and the recent decision to move their primary listing to New York makes total sense in light of this. Peter talks about the strategic logic of the FanDuel deal and how its culture fits so well with Flutter’s ‘challenger mindset’. He also talks about what they call the 'Flutter Edge' which is leveraging their collective strengths - i.e., people, technology and capital - to compete better across their portfolio of businesses.

At the end of the conversation, Mark Flood the co-founder of Renatus gives his key takeaways from the podcast.

Peter Jackson, CEO of Flutter Entertainment
In this episode of the<a href="https://renatus.ie/"> Renatus</a> podcast, host Greg Dilger speaks to Peter Jackson, the CEO of Flutter Entertainment, the world’s largest sports betting and iGaming operator. Peter has been CEO since 2018, having originally joined as a Non-Exec Director of what was then called Paddy Power Betfair in 2013.
The acquisition of FanDuel has opened up huge opportunities for Flutter in the US and the recent decision to move their primary listing to New York makes total sense in light of this. Peter talks about the strategic logic of the FanDuel deal and how its culture fits so well with Flutter’s ‘challenger mindset’. He also talks about what they call the 'Flutter Edge' which is leveraging their collective strengths - i.e., people, technology and capital - to compete better across their portfolio of businesses.
At the end of the conversation, Mark Flood the co-founder of Renatus gives his key takeaways from the podcast.

“We deeply understand what our customers want” - with Peter Jackson, CEO of Flutter Entertainment plc

About Richie

Opportunities & Challenges Facing CRH

Joining The Board

CRH Culture

The Evolution Of Capital Returns

Identifying Opportunities

Transitioning From CEO To Chairman

What Makes A Good Non-Executive

Running Smooth Board Meetings

CRH Results

The Importance Of Succession

ClonBio Group & Renewable Energy

Kennedy Wilson & Real Estate

Bank Of Ireland Career

The Future Of Banking

Richie Boucher, Chairman of CRH plc

In this episode of the Renatus Podcast, Greg Dilger talks to Richie Boucher, Chairman of CRH, a global leader in the provision of building materials solutions that build, connect and improve our world. Employing nearly 80,000 people at over 3000 locations in 29 countries, CRH’s scale is nothing less than staggering. 

Richie shares his insights into why CRH continues to thrive on a global stage while also revealing what makes him tick personally.  He talks frankly and passionately about culture, people, strategy and more.

Richie also tells us about his other very complementary board roles with renewable energy firm ClonBio Group and global real estate investor Kennedy Wilson, as well as reflecting on his career in banking and in particular his time as CEO of Bank of Ireland.

Richie Boucher, Chairman of CRH plc
In this episode of the <a href="https://renatus.ie/">Renatus</a> Podcast, Greg Dilger talks to Richie Boucher, Chairman of CRH, a global leader in the provision of building materials solutions that build, connect and improve our world. Employing nearly 80,000 people at over 3000 locations in 29 countries, CRH’s scale is nothing less than staggering. 
Richie shares his insights into why CRH continues to thrive on a global stage while also revealing what makes him tick personally.  He talks frankly and passionately about culture, people, strategy and more.
Richie also tells us about his other very complementary board roles with renewable energy firm ClonBio Group and global real estate investor Kennedy Wilson, as well as reflecting on his career in banking and in particular his time as CEO of Bank of Ireland.

In this episode of the Renatus Podcast, Greg Dilger talks to Richie Boucher, Chairman of CRH, a global leader in the provision of building materials solutions that build, connect and improve our world.

“Business is my hobby” - with Richie Boucher, Chairman of CRH plc

”Almost overnight we have a global influencer industry” - with John Saunders, Chairman of FleishmanHillard

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