Expertise and experience
Philippe Labro is a French journalist, author and film director.
He studied at Washington and Lee University (Lexington – Virginia – USA) before returning to France and becoming a reporter for the Europe 1 radio station in 1957 after winning the Reporters’ Cup. He went on to work for the women’s magazine Marie-France, then as a chief correspondent for France-Soir.
In 1960, he published his first novel, Un Américain peu tranquille (Gallimard – Folio reprint).
As a columnist, commentator, presenter and manager with various newspapers, radio and television programs since 1960 (France 2, Le Journal du Dimanche, Paris-Match, RTL, Ediradio, Bolloré Média, France 3, C8, Le Point, Direct Matin, France Inter), Philippe Labro is recognized as a major figure in the French media landscape.
He was head of programs at the RTL radio station from 1985 to 2000 and participated in the Bolloré Group’s development of the Direct 8 television channel, created in 2001 and officially launched in 2005, which went on to became C8.
Philippe Labro is also a film director, making his first feature film, “Tout peut arriver” (“Anything Can Happen” in English), in 1969.
As an author, Philippe Labro has published many books, including L’étudiant étranger (Gallimard – Folio reprint, published in English under the title The Foreign Student), which won him the Prix Interallié in 1986, and Un été dans l’Ouest (Gallimard – Folio reprint, published in English under the title One Summer Out West), which won the Prix Gutenberg des lecteurs in 1989.
He is also active in the music industry and collaborated with Johnny Hallyday, writing the lyrics for several of his songs. He also wrote lyrics for Jane Birkin at Serge Gainsbourg’s request. Philippe Labro was made Doctor Honoris Causa of Washington and Lee University (Lexington – Virginia – USA) in 1988, Commandeur dans l’Ordre national du Mérite in 2007 and Grand Officier de la Légion d’honneur in 2025.
He is a member of the Board of Directors of the French American Foundation, a member of the Strategy Committee of the France China Foundation, and President of the Grand Prix RTL-Lire.
Positions currently held
Matin Plus, Member of the Board of Directors
French American Foundation, Member of the Board of Directors
France China Foundation, Member of the Strategy Committee