Larry Weber

Larry Weber is a prominent entrepreneur and expert in public relations and marketing services, with over 40 years of experience in the field. He is the founder and chairman of Racepoint Global, an integrated communications agency based in Boston, Massachusetts, that specialises in digital marketing, public relations, and stakeholder communications. Racepoint Global has worked with notable clients across various sectors, including technology, healthcare, and public policy.

Larry started his career in the early days of the personal computer revolution, recognising the need for storytelling to make complex technology accessible to the public. This insight led him to found The Weber Group in 1987, which eventually became Weber Shandwick after its merger with Shandwick International in 1999, forming the world’s largest public relations firm.

Larry serves as Chairman of the Board of the Massachusetts Innovation and Technology Exchange (MITX) and is a member of the Board of Directors at Pegasystems, the Executive Committee of the Council on Competitiveness, a non-governmental organisation working to ensure U.S. economic prosperity and Macromill Group in Japan. He has also advised governments and contributed to global projects such as the One Laptop per Child initiative, which aimed to provide affordable laptops to children in developing countries.

Larry is an accomplished author, having written several books on marketing, technology, and leadership. His latest book, A New Age of Reason: Harnessing the Power of Tech for Good, released in August 2024, discusses how technologies like AI and robotics can address global challenges such as climate change and world hunger.

Larry Weber, born on July 7, 1955, is a pioneering entrepreneur, globally recognised for his contributions to public relations, marketing, and technology. Over the course of his career, Weber has built and led several prominent communications agencies, including The Weber Group and Racepoint Global. His work, spanning more than four decades, has significantly influenced the way businesses engage with technology and their audiences.

Weber began his career in an era when technology was in its infancy, especially for personal use. After completing his education at Denison University in 1977, Weber took his first steps into the world of marketing and communications. The personal computer revolution was on the horizon, but at the time, technology companies faced challenges in explaining their complex products to consumers. Drawing from his background in English literature, Weber saw an opportunity to help these emerging companies by using storytelling to demystify their products. This unique approach led him to found The Weber Group in 1987, which would grow into one of the world’s largest and most respected technology public relations firms.

In the early stages of The Weber Group, Weber collaborated with tech giants such as Digital Equipment Corporation, Wang Laboratories, Lotus, and Cullinet, helping them navigate the marketing landscape. His ability to translate technical jargon into relatable narratives played a key role in establishing these companies in the market. As the firm expanded, it began working with some of the biggest names in technology, including Microsoft, IBM, and AT&T. The Weber Group's success eventually attracted the attention of The Interpublic Group of Companies (IPG), which acquired the firm in 1996.

Under IPG’s umbrella, Weber continued to innovate, leading the acquisition of 21 public relations companies. In 1999, he orchestrated the merger of The Weber Group with Shandwick International and BSMG Worldwide to form Weber Shandwick, which became the largest public relations firm globally. He then took on the role of Chairman and CEO of Interpublic’s Advanced Marketing Services group, a $3 billion unit, which gave him oversight of public relations, research, analysis, and entertainment services across the company.

Despite this success, Weber’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to new ventures. In 2004, he founded the W2 Group, a holding company designed to acquire and advise global marketing companies. At the same time, he launched Racepoint Global, an integrated communications agency that reflects Weber's vision of combining digital marketing, public relations, and stakeholder communications. Racepoint Global quickly became one of the leading PR firms, with clients across technology, healthcare, life sciences, and public policy sectors.

Weber's expertise and influence have not been limited to the private sector. He has provided strategic counsel to governments, including those of Jordan, Libya, and Rwanda. Notably, he led the communications strategy for the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) initiative, which aimed to provide affordable laptops to school-age children in developing countries. This initiative reached countries like Rwanda, Afghanistan, and South Africa, winning global recognition, including a United Nations Grand Award for excellence in communication.

In addition to his entrepreneurial and advisory roles, Weber has served in various leadership positions. He co-founded the Massachusetts Innovation and Technology Exchange (MITX), an organisation dedicated to promoting innovation and technology. He has also held board positions at companies such as Pegasystems and the Macromill Group in Japan and continues to serve on the board of The Clubhouse Network, a global non-profit organisation focused on creative learning opportunities for youth.

Throughout his career, Larry Weber has also been a thought leader in the marketing and communications industry. He has authored several books, each reflecting his forward-thinking approach to technology and marketing. His publications include "The Digital Marketer: Ten New Skills You Must Learn to Stay Relevant and Customer-Centric" (2014), "Everywhere: Comprehensive Digital Business Strategy for the Social Media Era" (2011), and "Sticks & Stones: How Digital Business Reputations Are Created Over Time and Lost in a Click" (2009). His upcoming book, "A New Age of Reason: Harnessing the Power of Tech for Good", released on August 6, 2024, discusses how technologies like AI, robotics, and quantum computing can address major societal challenges such as climate change and hunger.

Larry Weber’s influence extends to academia, where he has been a guest lecturer at institutions like the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College.

Larry Weber envisions a world where technology is harnessed for the greater good, driving positive change across industries and societies. He believes that innovations such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and quantum computing hold the potential to solve critical global challenges, from climate change to poverty. Weber advocates for a purpose-driven approach, where businesses integrate technology with empathy, transparency, and sustainability at the core of their strategies. His vision focuses on leveraging the power of digital tools to build stronger connections, foster innovation, and create long-lasting societal impact, while ensuring ethical and inclusive use of technology.

Larry Weber received the prestigious John J. Molloy Crystal Bell Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2018 Bell Ringer Awards. This recognition was given in honor of his significant contributions to the field of public relations and marketing throughout his career. The award acknowledged Weber's lasting impact on the industry, particularly his work in building and leading communications agencies such as The Weber Group and Racepoint Global. His influence extends beyond marketing, as his contributions have shaped the broader communications landscape, making him a prominent figure in the public relations and digital marketing sectors.