Karen Blackett

Award-winning advertising mogul, Karen Blackett is hailed as one of the most powerful women in the industry. A business leader who knocked down gender and race barriers to become a pioneer in her field, Karen’s work has paved the way for other aspiring businesswomen to follow suit. As the former CEO of MediaCom, Karen’s expertise is recognised internationally, and her influence has been defining for the market-leading company. Offering her first-hand experience of the journey to the top, and the obstacles that came with it, Karen’s keynote talks are transformational for audiences who want to implement inclusivity in their professional and personal lives.

Involved in the industry for three decades, Karen has held senior positions since 1999 when she was appointed to the Board of Directors for the merger of The Media Business Group and MediaCom. Working on global projects, Karen was recognised as a marketing and advertising leader, known for bringing innovative ideas alive with creative flair and yielding unrivalled business results. Taking to the position of UK CEO for MediaCom in 2011, she won the illusive Tesco business deal, was twice awarded Agency of the Year in 2013 and 2014 and spearheaded the UK’s largest media agency to success with clients like Audi, Coca Cola, and GSK. She has also acted as a DIT Business Ambassador for No.10, helping to diversify Civil Service, and was appointed as the Race Equality Business Champion by the then Prime Minister, Theresa May. Other prominent roles include being a Non-Executive for The MOBO Trust, Creative England and The Creative Industry Federation.

Appointed OBE in 2014 for her services to media and communications, Karen’s defining career has been commended at every level. Featuring five times on Briton’s Most Influential Black People Power List, and Marie Claire’s Top 10 Inspirational Women, Karen’s work towards representation from black women in business is remarkable. Now using her position in the industry to benefit change, Karen continues to transform the corporate sector as the UK Country Manager for WPP and GroupM UK CEO. In 2019 she was also honoured with recognition from IPA for her outstanding services to the advertising industry. 

Being a woman in a male-dominated world, the corporate environment, was no easy sell for Karen, however, it did little to dampen her ambition. As a speaker, Karen now utilises her international public platform to motivate aspiring businesswomen to strive for success and enlighten corporate audiences on the benefits of a diverse workforce. Equally inspirational for people of colour, Karen represents the BAME community and acts as a role model, encouraging black women to knock down the barriers that still exist within society. A champion of the underdog, Karen’s talks have been transformational for previous clients on a personal and company-wide scale. From Black Women Mean Business to the House of Commons, Karen’s talks have been heard across the globe, and her TEDx talk It's OK To Be You was empowering for many. Book her today!