Linda Kaplan Thaler

According to Linda Kaplan Thaler, one of advertising’s most admired leaders, it is not native intelligence or natural talent that makes people excel—it’s old-fashioned sweat equity and hard work. In her upcoming book Grit to Great, and in her inspirational lectures, Kaplan Thaler shows career-minded, achievement-oriented people—everyone from senior managers to personal assistants and aspiring college grads—that with the right attitude and determination, success is within reach.

Advertising Hall of Famer Linda Kaplan Thaler is responsible for some of America’ s most famous and award-winning advertising campaigns, including the Aflac duck and the hilarious “Yes, Yes, Yes” commercials for Clairol Herbal Essences. She has composed jingles that are among the industry’s gold standard, including “I Don’ t Wanna Grow Up, I’m a Toys ‘ R’ Us Kid,” and “Kodak Moments.” She is a renowned motivational speaker and President of Kaplan Thaler Productions.

Having grown up in the Bronx, with no money or connections, Kaplan Thaler knows that perseverance and determination are what can make the difference and help people excel beyond their wildest dreams, whether in their career or personal life. She is proof positive of the power of grit. A powerful, entertaining and inspiring speaker, her lectures offer stories from the front lines of business on the impact that determination, hard work, and focused attention have on getting ahead.

Kaplan Thaler was formerly Chairman of Publicis Kaplan Thaler, with clients such as P&G, Citibank, Pfizer, and Wendy’s. She was also previously CEO of the Kaplan Thaler Group, which she grew from a fledgling start-up to a company with over a billion dollars in billings.

Kaplan Thaler is also a nationally acclaimed author. Her newest bestseller with Robin Koval, Grit to Great, was ranked one of the top business books for 2015. A familiar face in the media, Kaplan Thaler has appeared on “The Apprentice,” “Good Morning America,” “The Today Show,” CNN, and as the host of Oxygen’s television series “Making It Big.” She worked on the presidential runs for Clinton/Gore in 1992 and Hillary Clinton in 2008.

Her talents have earned her the prestigious Matrix Award, the Advertising Woman of the Year Award, NYWIFT’s Muse award, and is one of Ad Age’ s “Most Influential Women in Advertising.” Recently, she won the Clio’s Lifetime Achievement Award and was the first woman to ever receive this coveted award.

A native New Yorker, Kaplan Thaler is a Phi Beta Kappa and Magna cum Laude graduate of CCNY and currently sits on the Advisory Council for The Colin Powell School at CCNY.

Grit to Great: How Perseverance, Passion, and Pluck Take You from Ordinary to Extraordinary

In her Grit to Great lectures, Linda Kaplan Thaler tackles a topic that is close to her heart, one she believes is the real secret to her own success and in the careers of so many people she knows and has met. New research proves that the real secret to success isn’t some rarefied “It” factor, it’s the “grit” factor. And each and every one of us can possess it.

Drawing on the latest research in positive psychology and personal success, as well as a cornucopia of stories and practical “how to” tips and exercises, Thaler discusses why those who develop and possess the character traits of grit (Guts, Resilience, Initiative and Tenacity) outperform individuals with genius IQ’s, virtuoso talent, unlimited financial resources or a private school education. Individuals with high grit quotient do better in school, work, the playing field, in relationships and life. Her message is relevant to a broad range of audiences from entry level employees and budding entrepreneurs to C-Suite executives. Her inspiring message is that grit is something we all can embrace and develop whether you are nine or ninety.

The Power of Nice: How to Conquer the Business World with Kindness

Linda Kaplan Thaler has moved to the top of the advertising industry by following a simple but powerful philosophy: it pays to be nice. In her The Power of Nice lectures, through her own experiences and the stories of other people and businesses, she demonstrates why, contrary to conventional wisdom, nice people finish first.

Turning the well-known adage of “Nice Guys Finish Last” on its ear, “nice” companies have lower employee turnover, lower recruitment costs, and higher productivity. Nice people live longer, are healthier, and make more money. In today’s interconnected world, companies and people with a reputation for cooperation and fair play forge the kind of relationships that lead to bigger and better opportunities, both in business and in life.

Kaplan Thaler illustrates the surprising power of nice with an array of real-life examples from the business arena, as well as from her personal life, and presents a plan of action covering everything from creating a positive impression to sweetening the deal to turning enemies into allies.

The Power of Small: Why Little Things Make All the Difference

Our smallest actions and gestures often have outsized impact on our biggest goals: Did you double-check that presentation one last time, or hold the elevator for a stranger? Going that extra inch—whether with a client, customer, family member, or friend—speaks volumes to others about our talent, personality, and motivations. After all, if we can’t take care of the small details, how can we be counted on to deliver when it really matters?

In today’s challenging times, bigger isn’t always better. In fact, it’s often the baby steps that put us on the path to delivering a true competitive advantage. Kaplan Thaler shows how to get more of what you want with surprisingly less than you’d imagine.