In March, The English-Speaking Union welcomed as its 2003
Thatcher Lecturer Sir Martin Sorrell, Chief Executive of WPP
Group plc. Sir Martin drew on his extensive background in advertising
and marketing to expound on the theme Language, Trade & Trust.
Building on the premise that “in a world characterized
by fundamental values widely shared, each one of us is empowered
to reach our potential for growth and prosperity,” he
went on to say that the ESU’s goal of creating global
understanding through English is one shared by his own business – which
is arguably the world’s largest communications services
company. Sir Martin concluded that, while the product we sell
might be different, both the non-profit and commercial worlds
share the desire to reach as many consumers as possible. Our
common mission is to do so effectively and honestly, in clear
and precise language. Sir Martin, known for his frank and honest
assessments in his interviews with the media, made a plea for
clearer use of language in business.
The event at the Plaza Hotel drew over 200 members and supporters of The English-Speaking
Union of the United States. As a token of appreciation, The English-Speaking
Union presented Sir Martin with the letter that Lady Thatcher had sent applauding
the choice of Sir Martin to deliver the lecture that bears her name. In addition,
in recognition of the place that his alma mater Haberdashers Aske and his studies
abroad had had on his life, The English-Speaking Union offered a need-based Martin
Sorrell Travel Grant to enable a teenager to have the an opportunity to be an
exchange student in its Secondary School Exchange.
Sir Martin Sorrell
March 24, 2003
The Plaza Hotel
New York City
Speech: Adobe® Acrobat® file
Biography
Event
Highlights
Dinner Chairmen for the 2003 MTLS
WPP
Peter A. Schweitzer
President and CEO
J. Walter Thompson Company
Michael J. Dolan
Chairman and CEO
Young & Rubicam Inc.
***
Peter R.
Dolan
Chairman and CEO
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
John A Luke, Jr.
Chairman and CEO
MeadWestvaco Corporation
T.J. Maloney
President
Lincolnshire Management, Inc
William R. Miller OBE
Chairman
The Miller Family Foundation
Youssef Nasr
President and CEO
HSBC Bank USA
Mrs.Edmond J. Safra
Honorary Co-Chairmen
H.E. Sir Jeremy Greenstock, GCMG
H.M. Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the United Nations
Sir
Thomas Harris, KBE, CMG
H.M. Consul-General of the United
Kingdom to New York
Tony
Brenton
Charge d’Affaires of the British Embassy
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