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Forty Under 40: Paul Saville


Business partner Fred Porro describes Paul Saville as “incredibly English” yet also the ultimate cultural chameleon. He doesn’t miss tea time and calls you “old chap,” but he also knows how to create and execute top-notch experiential marketing events in places ranging from Qatar to New York.

Saville’s blend of social intelligence, business savvy and an intense creative drive helped fuel a 60 percent year-over-year revenue increase for the Wasserman Experience group. Joining the team when Wasserman acquired Ignite in 2013, Saville brought an international creative flair that’s charmed a broad spectrum of clients.

“It’s easier said than done to just say you have a world view,” said Wasserman managing partner Elizabeth Lindsey. “When someone says, ‘Can you do XYZ in Beijing and Shanghai?,’ he’s actually been there and done that. That’s a powerful, powerful skill set to offer a client.”

A former rec rugby player and current petanque enthusiast, Saville got his start when Porro hired him in 2005. Since then, he’s run major activations in more than 50 countries, including the world’s first air-conditioned open-air fan zone in Qatar. Built for the Supreme Committee of Qatar 2022, the concept allowed fans to watch the knockout rounds of the 2014 World Cup on an outdoor screen while protected from the country’s blistering summer heat. He also created the program that lit the Empire State Building in different colors based on Twitter feedback before Super Bowl XLVIII on behalf of client Verizon.

Working from the firm’s London office, Saville is on the lookout for the next big idea in experiential marketing. Lindsey and others believe he’ll keep achieving. The goal is to bring something truly original to every event, for every client.

“We believe that ideas can come from anywhere in our agency, and a lot of times they do,” Saville said. “So we make sure everybody keeps their finger on the pulse and know that often technology can be an inspiration to a much bigger idea.”

— Ben Fischer

Paul Saville

Wasserman | SVP, head of experience, EMEA
Age: 38
Where born: London
Education: Leeds University (joint honours, BSC, pharmacology/physiology)
Family: Wife, Claire; children, Leo (3), Cameron (1 1/2)

Advice I’d give to my younger self: Make sure your hands are always dirty as it will command respect and develop relationships ... (but) always continue to find time to laugh, love and let your hair down.

2016 will be a good year if: We don’t have any more corruption scandals like with FIFA or the IAAF.
Person in the industry I’d like to meet: Phil Knight.
I’d like to change jobs for a day with: A doctor. From an early age, all I wanted to be was a doctor.
Cause supported: My team provides pro bono services to a charity called Starfish that supports children orphaned by AIDS in Africa.
Most thrilling/adventurous thing I’ve done: Hiring a guide and scaling the alpine peak adjacent to the Eiger in Switzerland.

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