Steve King, CEO, ZenithOptimedia Worldwide
Following a degree in Business and Marketing, King started his career in media sales, moving to the agency world in 1982 to join Bates Dorland. After two years he joined McCormicks (later acquired by Publicis) to head up the buying group on Renault. After a year, he returned to Bates Dorland as Media Group Manager.
With the 1988 inception of Zenith Media in the UK (Bates Dorland was one of the contributing agencies), King was appointed director of TV Buying, overseeing the largest TV group of its kind in Europe. He was made Deputy Managing Director in 1992 and Managing Director in 1993.
Steve moved to the US, initially to evaluate the feasibility of establishing Zenith Media in the USA. When Zenith USA began operating in February 1995, he was made General Manager with principal responsibility for media operations, the management of key clients and the development of new business. In 1996 he was promoted to Chief Operating Officer of the US business.
Steve became Chief Executive Officer, Zenith Media Europe, Middle East and Africa, in August 1997. Following the creation of ZenithOptimedia in October 2001, he was appointed Chief Executive of ZenithOptimedia EMEA and subsequently Worldwide CEO in March 2004.
The ZenithOptimedia Group is owned by Publicis Groupe SA and has over 4700 employees across 175 offices in 70 countries.
