Robin Koval has been a driving force in the advertising world for over 25 years. A marketing strategist and new products expert, her experience spans almost every category, ranging from beauty and beverages to distilled spirits and pharmaceuticals. Her successes include the daring “Yes, Yes, Yes” Herbal Essences campaign and the Aflac duck quack heard round the world. Simply put, Robin helps marketers get noticed.

Robin is the President of the Kaplan Thaler Group and is responsible for the general management of the Agency, including client services, strategic development and new business. A co-founder of the Agency with Linda Kaplan Thaler, she has helped the Kaplan Thaler Group grow from a fledgling start-up to a company with over a billion dollars in billings.

The Kaplan Thaler Group has been ranked by industry publications as one of the fastest-growing agencies in the country and is touted for its breakthrough creative and immediate results. The Agency’s blue-chip clients include: Procter & Gamble’s Dawn, Swiffer and Cascade brands, AFLAC, Champion, Napa Auto Parts, Wendy’s, Pfizer, and U.S. Bank, among many others. 

Robin is also a best-selling author. Her three collaborations with coauthor Linda Kaplan Thaler have all received national recognition. Their most recent title, The Power of Small: Why Little Things Make All the Difference, debuted as an instant national bestseller. Linda and Robin’s previous book, The Power of Nice: How to Conquer the Business World with Kindness, debuted on the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists. Bang! Getting Your Message Heard in a Noisy World, a savvy marketing book and their first title, was also a national bestseller.  Robin has had several guest television appearances including NBC’s “The Today Show”, “The Martha Stewart Show”, ABC’s “Good Morning America” and “Nightline”.

As a recognized business leader and author, Robin is often asked to contribute her thoughts to various panels, discussion groups and events. A much sought-after speaker, Robin has presented to audiences across the country, sharing her thoughts on such diverse topics as: marketing strategy, brand building, the advertising industry, women’s leadership and retaining top talent, among many others. Robin also serves as an esteemed faculty member at New York University, where she is an adjunct professor in The Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development.

Robin is the recipient of a 2011 New York Women in Communications Matrix Award and the 2011 Women’s Venture Fund Highest Leaf Award. Earlier this year, Robin was named one of Self-Made Magazine’s top 50 “Women Entrepreneurs Who Inspire,” as well as one of the top 20 female entrepreneurs in the U.S. by Blogtrepreneur.com. In November 2008, Robin was presented with the Women’s Leadership Exchange (WLE) Compass Award, which is given to individuals who have shifted the paradigm of how women are perceived as business leaders.  In January 2007, Robin was honored with the prestigious Advertising Women of New York’s Working Mother of the Year Trailblazer Award. Robin’s dedication to her family and career also won her a nomination into the YWCA’s Academy of Women Achievers in 2002. Established in 1995, the Academy of Women Achievers celebrates women who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and achievement in their professional and civic lives.

Robin earned a BFA from Syracuse University and an MBA from Baruch College.

When she’s not figuring out how to solve her clients’ problems, Robin takes to the ice as an accomplished figure skater.  Robin lives in New York City and is married to Kenneth Koval, Associate Executive Director, Gouverneur Healthcare Services. Their daughter, Melissa, also resides in New York City.