“Playing it safe is a very risky business—and damn expensive.”
Robert “Bob” Kincey is a seasoned marketing and branding executive whose career spans nearly six decades, across four continents, and in more than thirty countries. His journey began humbly but ambitiously, shaped by a strong work ethic from an early age and sharpened by an insatiable curiosity about people, cultures, and ideas. Over the years, Bob has earned a reputation as a transformative leader, consultant, and coach whose creativity, strategic acumen, and passion for collaboration have left a lasting impact on countless organizations and professionals worldwide.
Raised in a middle-to-upper-middle-class family, Bob’s formative years were as diverse as his later career. He lived in Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, and the United States, gaining a deep appreciation for cultural nuance and the power of communication across borders. After attending the Marion Military Institute, where he was Cadet Major and Brigade Operations Officer, he pursued Romance Literature at the University of Arizona. Though he never completed a formal degree, his intellectual curiosity led him to teach at the University of Arizona and serve as a trainer at the Peace Corps Training Center—an early indication of his natural ability to lead, educate, and inspire others.
Prior to Young and Rubicam he worked at ALMAP for two years, Júlio Ribeiro, Mihanovich for five years. In 1973, Bob joined Young & Rubicam, one of the world’s leading advertising agencies, marking the start of a 23-year career that would see him rise through the ranks and across borders. Beginning as an account director in Brazil, Bob played a key role in transforming the agency from a startup with a single client into a formidable player in the market. His success earned him the position of General Manager in Brazil and later Managing Director in Venezuela, where he turned around a struggling acquisition by integrating a local agency and restoring profitability. In 1989, he became Vice President for Latin America, overseeing regional clients and developing multi-discipline strategic planning initiatives. By 1993, he was leading from Miami, spearheading regional integration, operations, and client management.
Throughout his tenure at Young & Rubicam, Bob was recognized not only for his operational leadership but also for his ability to blend creativity with strategy. He was deeply involved in creative development, radio and TV production, consumer insights, and brand positioning—establishing himself as a rare executive equally comfortable in both the analytical and artistic dimensions of marketing. His ability to bridge these worlds made him a strong candidate to global brands navigating competitive and culturally complex markets.
In 1996, Bob launched Marketing & Passion, his own consultancy dedicated to helping organizations unlock creativity, strengthen brand strategies, business planning, team building and enhance client-agency collaboration. Over the following 25 years, he partnered with companies across Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe, offering not only traditional consulting but also innovative training programs. Chief among these was his acclaimed Role Reversal Creative Workshop (RRCW), a dynamic program designed to help clients and agencies better understand one another by stepping into each other’s shoes. The workshop has been hailed globally as transformative, credited with turning adversarial relationships into true partnerships and driving business-building creativity.
Bob’s approach to consulting is rooted in partnership rather than hierarchy. He insists on working with clients, not for them, respecting their knowledge of their own businesses while bringing an outsider’s perspective that sparks new thinking. He discourages dependency on consultants, instead embedding capacity within teams so that results are sustainable long after his engagement ends. This philosophy, combined with his informal and approachable style, has made him not just a consultant but a trusted coach, mentor, and ally to business leaders and creative professionals alike.
Over the decades, Bob has collaborated with an extraordinary roster of companies including AT&T, Chrysler, Colgate, Danone, Ericsson, General Foods, Gillette, Heinz, Johnson & Johnson, McDonald’s, Nestlé, Philip Morris, Procter & Gamble, Siemens, Tetra Pak, Volkswagen, Xerox, and many more. His international exposure, particularly in Brasil, Dominican Republic, England, Latvia, Peru, Russia, Romania, Ukraine, Uruguay, Venezuela, has given him a rare ability to navigate cultural differences and uncover universal human insights that drive brands forward. His fluency in English and Portuguese, conversational Spanish, and working knowledge of Italian have further amplified his ability to build bridges across markets.
Behind his professional achievements lies a deeply personal commitment to creativity, curiosity, and integrity. Bob describes himself as “a sensitive, curious, eclectic, seasoned guy who works with passion”—a sentiment echoed by peers and clients alike. Testimonials from executives across industries describe him as inspiring, challenging, irreverent, wise, and profoundly impactful. His ability to provoke thought while fostering collaboration has cemented his reputation as more than a consultant—he is a catalyst for transformation.
Bob’s personal life reflects the same richness and dedication as his career. He and his wife, Cly—a retired ballerina whose spirit continues to inspire him—live in Fanwood, New Jersey. Together they raised two sons who have charted creative and entrepreneurial paths of their own: one a creative director in New York, the other a musician and restaurateur in Brazil. Family remains central to Bob’s values, grounding his professional pursuits in a sense of legacy and humanity. He is also a passionate reader, conversationalist, and lifelong learner, continually seeking intellectual growth and cultural exploration.
Today, as an independent consultant and coach, Bob continues to offer his expertise to organizations and boards. His eclectic background, international scope, and proven track record make him uniquely positioned to contribute at the highest levels of governance and strategy. For Bob, serving on a board is not merely an extension of his career—it is a privilege and a responsibility to share his knowledge, challenge assumptions, and guide organizations toward enduring success.
Character:
Bob Kincey’s character is defined by integrity, resilience, and a deep respect for people. He has never shied away from challenging conventions, but always does so with empathy and humanity. His clients and colleagues consistently describe him as both inspiring and grounded, someone who brings warmth as well as wisdom.
Knowledge:
With over 50 years of experience across industries and continents, Bob embodies a profound understanding of marketing, branding, and organizational dynamics. His expertise spans both the creative and strategic sides of business, giving him a holistic perspective. He continues to enrich his knowledge through curiosity and lifelong learning, ensuring his insights remain sharp and relevant.
Strategic:
Bob is a strategist who understands that sustainable success lies at the intersection of creativity and business discipline. He has helped multinational companies through complex markets by aligning brand vision with actionable business strategy and finding the problem. His ability to anticipate challenges, reframe problems, and generate practical solutions has made him a trusted advisor at the highest levels.
Communication:
As a natural storyteller and coach, Bob communicates with clarity, humor, and authenticity. His workshops and consulting engagements are renowned for breaking down barriers, fostering collaboration, and inspiring teams to think differently. Whether in English, Portuguese, or Spanish, Bob’s communication builds trust and energizes people to achieve more than they thought possible.
