Jack Martin is the Global Chairman and CEO of Hill+Knowlton Strategies. With more than 85 offices on six continents, H+K is one of the largest strategic communications companies in the world; it is also one of the most respected, with a client roster that includes more than half of the Fortune Global 500 list.
In 2014, Jack was inducted into the PR News Hall of Fame as a “pioneer in public relations” who has left a “lasting mark” on the industry. And that pioneering continues:
As Global Chairman, Jack brings more than 40 years of experience across the realms of communications, politics, and business. His trademarked Fifth Seat concept, which recognizes the unique role and impacts of The Public on organizations of all sizes, is a foundational driver at H+K. It also reflects Jack’s business philosophy, which puts a premium on trust, integrity and actionable results. He maintains an active role in client service and personally manages communications for leadership at some of the largest companies in the world.
Risk-taking is an underpinning of his business ethos. Jack also lives what he preaches: An entrepreneur at heart, Jack founded Public Strategies, Inc. (PSI) in Austin, Texas – at the time it was a one-man shop – and grew it into one of the most successful public affairs firms in America. PSI was later acquired by London-based WPP and merged with Hill & Knowlton; the combined entity is known today as Hill+Knowlton Strategies. Under Jack’s leadership, H+K has transformed and expanded its global presence in several critical areas, including creative, content development, healthcare and government policy.
A fifth-generation Texan, Jack has a long history in politics and civic engagement. During his time at Texas State University (then Southwest Texas State University), Jack began his political career at the local level in the San Marcos area, eventually transitioning to the national stage. Along the way, Jack pioneered a number of political strategies that are still used to this day.
Jack was previously chairman of Texas State University System’s Board of Regents and he previously served on the boards of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Foundation and the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. To date, Jack has received gubernatorial appointments to positions in public service from four Texas governors from both sides of the aisle.
Jack currently serves on the boards of Baylor College of Medicine and Baylor Scott & White Health; he is also an invested Member of the Order of St. John, an Order of Chivalry from the British Crown. Jack was the recipient of the Global Citizens Award, in recognition of his work with the Global Kids’ youth organization.
 
Read Jack’s take on current events in his series: First Things First. The latest release is available here.