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

On this episode of the Renatus Podcast, Greg Dilger speaks with Sean O’Driscoll, former CEO and Chairman of Glen Dimplex and one of Ireland’s most respected business leaders.

Now Chair of the ESRI and a member of the Government’s 2025 Accelerating Infrastructure Task Force, Sean discusses the structural challenges slowing Ireland’s infrastructure delivery — from planning and housing to energy and grid capacity — and what must change to unlock growth.

A candid discussion on leadership, accountability and delivering at scale.

On this episode of the <a href="https://renatus.ie/">Renatus</a> Podcast, Greg Dilger speaks with Sean O&rsquo;Driscoll, former CEO and Chairman of Glen Dimplex and one of Ireland&rsquo;s most respected business leaders.
Now Chair of the ESRI and a member of the Government&rsquo;s 2025 Accelerating Infrastructure Task Force, Sean discusses the structural challenges slowing Ireland&rsquo;s infrastructure delivery &mdash; from planning and housing to energy and grid capacity &mdash; and what must change to unlock growth.
A candid discussion on leadership, accountability and delivering at scale.

“We’re playing Russian Roulette with our economy and society” with Sean O'Driscoll, Chair of the Economic & Social Research Institute (ESRI) & former Chair / Chief Executive of the Glen Dimplex Group

In our latest Renatus Podcast, host Greg Dilger chats with Luke Mackey, the 31-year-old Co-founder and CEO of employee-benefits platform Kota.

We dig into Luke’s early life and the entrepreneurial streak that drove him. He talks about the creation and scaling of Kota and how the backing of some top-end international VC firms (including Ireland’s Frontline Ventures) has made him think even bigger.

Luke’s relentless focus on product quality and customer experience is obvious throughout. It’s a big part of what sets him apart.

In our latest <a href="https://renatus.ie/">Renatus</a> Podcast, host Greg Dilger chats with Luke Mackey, the 31-year-old Co-founder and CEO of employee-benefits platform Kota.
We dig into Luke&rsquo;s early life and the entrepreneurial streak that drove him.&nbsp;He talks about the creation and scaling of Kota and how the backing of some top-end international VC firms (including Ireland&rsquo;s Frontline Ventures) has made him think even bigger.
Luke&rsquo;s relentless focus on product quality and customer experience is obvious throughout. It&rsquo;s a big part of what sets him apart.

“I quite like the chaos of startups” with Luke Mackey, CEO of Kota.

In the latest Renatus Podcast, host Greg Dilger speaks with Steve Tennant, Managing Partner of Grant Thornton Ireland and Head of Grant Thornton Advisors EMEA.

Charismatic and highly engaging, 47-year-old Steve Tennant brings a fresh perspective and energy to the world of professional services. His natural ability to connect with people, communicate big ideas simply, and inspire confidence has made a significant impact within Grant Thornton Ireland.

Following the recent private-equity-driven merger of Grant Thornton Ireland and Grant Thornton Advisors USA, Steve was appointed to lead their fast-growing EMEA business — a strong endorsement of both Steve and the Irish firm.

In this podcast, he talks about his early days in Aberdeen and Leeds, and how he ultimately ended up working for Grant Thornton in Dublin.

He discusses Grant Thornton’s phenomenal growth in recent years, the hows and whys behind the merger with the US business, and, of course, his exciting new role building out the EMEA organisation.

In the latest <a href="https://renatus.ie/">Renatus</a> Podcast, host Greg Dilger speaks with Steve Tennant, Managing Partner of Grant Thornton Ireland and Head of Grant Thornton Advisors EMEA.
Charismatic and highly engaging, 47-year-old Steve Tennant brings a fresh perspective and energy to the world of professional services. His natural ability to connect with people, communicate big ideas simply, and inspire confidence has made a significant impact within Grant Thornton Ireland.
Following the recent private-equity-driven merger of Grant Thornton Ireland and Grant Thornton Advisors USA, Steve was appointed to lead their fast-growing EMEA business &mdash; a strong endorsement of both Steve and the Irish firm.
In this podcast, he talks about his early days in Aberdeen and Leeds, and how he ultimately ended up working for Grant Thornton in Dublin.
He discusses Grant Thornton&rsquo;s phenomenal growth in recent years, the hows and whys behind the merger with the US business, and, of course, his exciting new role building out the EMEA organisation.

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

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