BBH’s CEO: Bringing contagious positivity - Karen Martin

Today’s guest is the incomparable Karen Martin, CEO of BBH London and Dublin, and President of the IPA. Known for her infectious optimism, Karen brings a fresh perspective to how agencies can thrive in uncertain times.For her, positivity is more than just a nice-to-have – it’s a business imperative that lifts entire industries. Karen also argues that the sector is in better shape than many fear, and urges agency leaders to celebrate each other’s success more often.Karen also dives into the importance of attracting diverse new talent, why AI should be embraced rather than feared, and how BBH’s famous ‘Barn’ programme is helping the next generation of creatives cut their teeth. Along the way, she explains why she believes creativity will always be the industry’s most powerful commercial tool, and how BBH has maintained its stellar reputation for so long. HIGHLIGHTS[02:10] How energy fuels creativity[06:36] Fresh talent finds a way[10:22] Diversity unearths sharper insights[13:09] People vs AI[14:55] Earning a premium for critical thinking[17:56] Driving business impact[25:01] Partnerships formed through crisis[31:24] Creating timeless platforms[35:55] The value of competition[39:49] Breaking the rules MORE ABOUT KAREN:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/karen-martinWebsite: bartleboglehegarty.comBBH Barn: bartleboglehegarty.com/barn2025HOST SOCIALS:LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/in/robinbonnTwitter: twitter.com/robonnMORE ABOUT CO:DEFINERY:Site: codefinery.comBook: Market of One