Robin Koval
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Robin Koval | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 25, 1955 |
| Alma mater | Syracuse University Baruch College |
| Occupations | CEO and President of Truth Initiative (2013-2023); Author |
| Spouse | Kenneth Koval |
| Children | 1 |
| Awards | 100 Most Influential Women in Advertising Other Awards |
Robin Koval (born May 25, 1955) is a New York Times best-selling author and former CEO and president of Truth Initiative ,[1][2] a nonprofit tobacco control organization best known for its Truth youth smoking prevention campaign. Koval also co-founded The Kaplan Thaler Group and later served as the CEO of Publicis Kaplan Thaler (now Publicis New York), New York’s fifth largest[citation needed] advertising agency through November 2013.[3][4]
Koval is a native New Yorker, and has trained as a figure skater.[5] She graduated from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. She later earned her Master of Business Administration from Baruch College.[citation needed]
Career
Throughout her career, Koval served as a marketing strategist and new products expert. She has worked with clients across several categories, ranging from beauty and beverages to distilled spirits and pharmaceuticals. Koval served as executive vice president of Interpublic's Gotham, Inc.[5] and in 1997 she co-founded the Kaplan Thaler Group with her partner, Linda Kaplan Thaler.[6]
In July 2012, the Kaplan Thaler Group merged with Publicis New York to form Publicis Kaplan Thaler, where Robin served as CEO. The Kaplan Thaler Group, and later Publicis Kaplan Thaler, were responsible for the "Yes, Yes, Yes" Herbal Essences campaign and for the creation of the Aflac duck campaign.[7] Other clients of the Kaplan Thaler Group include Procter & Gamble, L'Oreal, Champion, Edmunds, NAPA Auto Parts, Pfizer, SuperValu, U.S. Bank and Wendy's.[citation needed]
In 2013, Koval was named[1][4] chief executive officer and president of Truth Initiative. She retired in October 2023.[8]
Before moving to Washington, D.C., Koval served on the faculty of New York University as an adjunct professor in the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development.[9]
Publications and Appearances
Koval has authored four best-selling titles with coauthor and former business partner Linda Kaplan Thaler:
- Grit to Great: How Perseverance, Passion, and Pluck Take You from Ordinary to Extraordinary (2015)
- The Power of Small: Why Little Things Make All the Difference (2009)
- The Power of Nice: How to Conquer the Business World with Kindness (2006)
- Bang!: Getting Your Message Heard in a Noisy World (2003)
Koval regularly appears on television, contributes commentary to print and online outlets[10] and speaks at conferences and colloquia for business, government and media audiences, including the Aspen Ideas Festival.[11][2] Her guest television appearances have included NBC's "Today,"[12] "The Martha Stewart Show,"[13] as well as ABC's "Good Morning America"[14] and "Nightline."[15]
