Linda Kaplan Thaler

Linda Kaplan Thaler is an Advertising Hall of Fame inductee, bestselling author, and one of the most celebrated creative minds in American advertising history. As the creator of the Aflac duck and the iconic Toys “R” Us jingle, she brings a wealth of real-world business experience to keynotes on grit, creativity, and the power of kindness in leadership.

Building an Advertising Empire from Scratch

Kaplan Thaler founded the Kaplan Thaler Group and grew it from a fledgling startup to a company with over a billion dollars in billings. She went on to serve as Chairman of Publicis Kaplan Thaler, leading campaigns for P&G, Citibank, Pfizer, and Wendy’s. Her creative work includes some of the most recognizable campaigns in American culture, from Clairol’s “Yes, Yes, Yes!” to Kodak Moments. She has earned 13 Clio Awards, the Clio Lifetime Achievement Award, and recognition as one of Ad Age’s Most Influential Women in Advertising.

Bestselling Author on Grit, Creativity, and Success

Kaplan Thaler’s bestselling books, including The Power of Nice and Grit to Great, have become essential reading for professionals seeking to understand what truly drives success. Drawing on cutting-edge research in positive psychology, she shows audiences that perseverance and determination outperform raw talent and IQ. Her keynotes offer practical strategies on fostering creativity, building collaborative cultures, and developing the grit factor — Guts, Resilience, Initiative, and Tenacity — that transforms ordinary performers into extraordinary achievers.

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.