Sam Tatam

Sam Tatam is the Global Principal and Head of Behavioural Science at Ogilvy Growth & Innovation, where he specialises in translating psychological insights into practical strategies that influence decision-making and drive meaningful change. Leading a talented global team of psychologists and behavioural economists, he has delivered behaviour change projects across virtually every category and continent, working with influential organisations including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Facebook, Walmart, and American Express. Sam is also the author of Evolutionary Ideas, a critically acclaimed book that unlocks ancient innovations to solve tomorrow's challenges by combining behavioural science, psychology, and history. His sessions equip audiences with evidence-based approaches to understanding human behaviour, enabling organisations to design more effective communications, deepen audience connections, and achieve lasting impact.

From New York to Nairobi, Sam Tatam has led behaviour change projects that span virtually every category and continent, working with some of the world's most influential organisations to decode human behaviour and design strategies that drive meaningful action. As Global Principal and Head of Behavioural Science at Ogilvy Growth & Innovation, he oversees a talented team of psychologists and behavioural economists who translate psychological insights into practical interventions for clients including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Facebook, Walmart, and American Express. His work sits at the intersection of scientific rigour and creative problem solving, applying behavioural science principles to challenges that range from brand communications to complex societal issues.

Sam's authority in the field stems from years of applied expertise in organisational psychology and advertising strategy, combined with a deep commitment to bridging the gap between academic research and real-world application. He leads Ogilvy's pioneering behavioural science practice, recognised as the world's first and largest collection of behavioural experts embedded within an agency environment. This unique position allows him to test, refine, and scale interventions across diverse contexts, ensuring that strategies resonate with audiences and deliver measurable results. Beyond his consulting work, Sam has established himself as a thought leader through his writing and media presence, with insights featured in leading publications such as The Drum and Behavioral Scientist. His critically acclaimed book, Evolutionary Ideas: Unlocking Ancient Innovation to Solve Tomorrow's Challenges, combines behavioural science, psychology, and history to offer a fresh perspective on modern problem solving, demonstrating how timeless innovations can inform contemporary strategy.

Sam's speaking engagements equip audiences with evidence-based approaches to understanding and influencing human behaviour. He demystifies complex psychological concepts, making them accessible and actionable for organisations seeking to deepen audience connections, improve decision making, and create lasting change. Whether exploring the principles of biomimicry, the power of subtraction in design, or the nuances of behaviour change that work in real-world settings, Sam provides practical frameworks that attendees can apply immediately. His sessions inspire innovation whilst grounding ideas in scientific credibility, empowering leaders, marketers, and communicators to harness behavioural insights for transformative impact. Through his ongoing work at Ogilvy and his commitment to advancing the field through collaboration and knowledge sharing, Sam continues to shape how organisations approach the challenge of influencing behaviour in an increasingly complex world.