John Saunders, FPRII (Life), President and CEO of FleishmanHillard International Communications was today (Thursday, 26th October) awarded an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy by Dublin City University (DCU).
Saunders becomes the first ever Irish public relations professional to receive an honorary doctorate from the University. He received the award in recognition of his role as the leader of a top global player in the sector, for the prominence given to diversity by that organisation, and for his advocacy for the value of ‘soft skills’.
Dr Martina Byrne, CEO PRCA Ireland and PRII, was a guest at a celebratory dinner hosted by the President of DCU, Professor Dáire Keogh, that night. FleishmanHillard Ireland is a long-standing member of the PRCA Ireland and John is a Life Fellow of PRII.
Starting out his career as a sport’s presenter in RTÉ, the Dublin man went on to establish Fleishman Hillard Saunders in Dublin in 1990 which has become one of FleishmanHillard’s most successful international offices. In 2015, he was appointed global CEO based in the US overseeing a network of nearly 80 offices worldwide.
This year FleishmanHillard Ireland was named ‘Large Agency of the Year’ at the Awards for Excellence in Public Relations.
