U.K. PR, marketing and communications agency Beattie Communications has named Kevin Roberts as its new chairman, The Drum reports.
Roberts, of course, resigned as Saatchi & Saatchi executive chairman and Publicis Groupe head coach last September after backlash following a Business Insider interview in which he told Lara O’Reilly that “The fucking debate is all over” in regards to gender diversity.
He addressed those remarks in a December interview with Janet McIntyre of New Zealand broadcaster TVNZ. In that interview, he admitted to showing “appalling judgement,” while claiming his remarks were “taken out of context” and attributing his blunder to fatigue during his fourth consecutive interview following an overnight flight.
Roberts’ responsibilities at Beattie Communications will include leading a senior team and helping the agency with its pending expansion into Canada.
“We are delighted to have recruited one of the world’s most inspirational business minds to help us expand in the U.K., North America and Australasia,” Beattie Communications CEO Laurna Woods said in a statement.
“Beattie’s 2017 strategy is clear – recruit great people and open offices in line with client needs. We’re in for some exciting times as we build the Beattie and Only brands internationally,” Roberts said.
“We are an integrated marketing and communications company with foundations in PR, marketing, creativity, content, technology and data. We have no plans to become a traditional advertising agency,” he clarified.