Steve King
BA Business Studies, 1981
CEO, PUBLICIS MEDIA
“The Business Studies course at Thames Polytechnic was really terrific because it was so broad-based. I was able to cover a lot of different options – personnel, marketing, finance, law.”
Once the youngest managing director of a UK media agency, Steve King is now one of the most experienced global leaders in the sector.
In 2016 he was promoted to CEO of Publicis Media, overseeing all media operations within the Publicis Groupe, one of the largest communications agencies in the world.
After graduating from Thames Polytechnic, Steve moved into the agency world in 1982 when he joined Bates Dorland. In 1988 he was one of the founding employees of the ground-breaking media agency, Zenith Media.
Steve rose rapidly through the ranks and by 2004 was Global CEO of the merged ZenithOptimedia, following the agency’s acquisition by Publicis.
From being one of 100 staff present at the inception of ZenithOptimedia, as head of Publicis Media Steve is now responsible for around 13,500 employees, covering 250 offices and 74 countries, with annual revenues in excess of £2 billion. Among Publicis Media’s many high profile clients are Asda, NatWest and Mars.
Outside of work Steve has a wide range of interests, including cycling, triathlons, skiing, golf and sailing. He is married with five children and a dog!
Steve King
BA Business Studies, 1981
CEO, PUBLICIS MEDIA
“The Business Studies course at Thames Polytechnic was really terrific because it was so broad-based. I was able to cover a lot of different options – personnel, marketing, finance, law.”
Once the youngest managing director of a UK media agency, Steve King is now one of the most experienced global leaders in the sector.
In 2016 he was promoted to CEO of Publicis Media, overseeing all media operations within the Publicis Groupe, one of the largest communications agencies in the world.
After graduating from Thames Polytechnic, Steve moved into the agency world in 1982 when he joined Bates Dorland. In 1988 he was one of the founding employees of the ground-breaking media agency, Zenith Media.
Steve rose rapidly through the ranks and by 2004 was Global CEO of the merged ZenithOptimedia, following the agency’s acquisition by Publicis.
From being one of 100 staff present at the inception of ZenithOptimedia, as head of Publicis Media Steve is now responsible for around 13,500 employees, covering 250 offices and 74 countries, with annual revenues in excess of £2 billion. Among Publicis Media’s many high profile clients are Asda, NatWest and Mars.
Outside of work Steve has a wide range of interests, including cycling, triathlons, skiing, golf and sailing. He is married with five children and a dog!
