Robert Mathias

Robert Mathias brings a broad range of skills in corporate reputation and public affairs to Ogilvy Public Relations. Robert is responsible for the North America operations of Ogilvy PR, including client service, talent management and business performance. Robert also oversees the day-to-day activities in the agency’s Washington, DC office. Prior to assuming the leadership of the Washington office in 2002, Robert served as the head of Ogilvy PR’s San Francisco office for three years. Robert originally joined Ogilvy PR in Washington in 1988.

Robert has led all aspects of account management from primary research and design to strategy development, messaging and tactical implementation. He advises various companies, government agencies, and not-for-profits on message development, crisis and issues management, advertising, media relations and digital outreach.

Besides his work with Ogilvy PR, Robert served in President Bush’s administration (41) as the Executive Assistant to U.S. Energy Secretary James D. Watkins and subsequently as Deputy Assistant Secretary at the Department of Energy. There, he played a vital role in Secretary Watkins’ “Openness” agenda to reform and restore public confidence in this diverse government agency responsible for the research and development of the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile, basic and applied energy research and the development of the nation’s energy policy. Robert has also worked abroad in Saudi Arabia where he helped to develop and implement a kingdom-wide public health program.

Robert holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Vermont and a master’s of business administration from the Yale School of Management. He is the Immediate Past Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Lab School of Washington, an internationally recognized school for children and adults with learning disabilities. Robert also serves on the Board of Trustees of The Yellowstone Park Foundation, a private philanthropy dedicated to the protection and preservation of Yellowstone National Park. He lives in Washington with his wife, Sarah, and two teenage daughters, Clare and Catherine.