Month: June 2023

Creativity is more than a trait or talent some people possess and others don’t; it’s a spark waiting to be lit within each and every person. The trick for many of us worn down by rote tasks, routines, and responsibilities is figuring out how to ignite and nurture that part of ourselves.

Enter the professional creatives: voice actors, animators and character designers, artists and entertainers with a hard-won bank of knowledge that allows them to do more than express themselves and take things a step further, guiding others to change their perspectives and accelerate innovation.

Although they’re professional adults with distinguished careers, these storytellers and educators are in touch with their inner child and keenly understand the importance of play for both happiness and business success. So if you’re seeking a way to mix things up for yourself or your team and have some fun while you do it, take a quick look at some of our creativity speakers to see if one might be just what you’re looking for.

Top creativity speaker and storyteller Matthew Luhn is a longtime friend and part of our bureau. An award-winning filmmaker and 20 year Pixar veteran, he has worked as an animator, director and story consultant on classic children’s movies including the Toy Story series, Finding Nemo, UP, and many more. His work has honed his understanding of branding, innovation and communication, giving him a one-of-a-kind insight into how creativity can be utilized for business.

Creativity speaker Joshua Seth is a psychological illusionist, best-selling author and voice actor who has worked on almost 100 animated shows and films, including Digimon and Spongebob. An innovative thinker and expert communicator, he’s devoted to helping others unleash their unique voices.

Motivational and creativity speaker Duncan Wardle is the former Head of Innovation for Disney with a 25 year career developing some of their most effective and creative strategies. Challenging others to claim their creativity, he teaches people how to think differently and set themselves up for revolutionary ideas and business success.

Acclaimed motivational speaker and voice actor Kat Cressida has lent her voice to characters created by Disney, Pixar and Cartoon Network as well as ad campaigns for everything from McDonald’s to Michelob. Following a terrifying battle with a rare form of cancer, she’s emerged as a healthcare advocate as well as top voice artist, focusing her skills as a storyteller on inspiring and educating in equal measure.

Deanna Marsigliese is a top creativity keynote speaker and character designer  who has worked at Pixar since 2012. As their Animation Art Director, she has worked on family favorites Luca, Toy Story 4, and the Incredibles 2, and leads creativity and design workshops for global audiences helping foster curiosity, authenticity, and the power of visual storytelling.

Activist, dancer and influencer Sofia Wylie is best known for her work as one of Justin Beiber’s back-up dancers and performing on Disney’s live action Andi Mack, but is expanding into voice acting. An advocate and rising star, she’s dedicated herself to inspiring others in her generation to follow their dreams and use their own voices.

Writer and performer Brady Gill is a motivational speaker and storyteller with a background in creativity and community building. Passionate about education and emotional safety, he works with both children and adults advocating for the power of play via his Modern Fables, stories and animations that encourage making and learning from mistakes to help people grow into happy, fulfilled individuals.

This article was originally published by BigSpeak Jun 29, 2023.

Looking for a visual experience to delight your audience? Great talks are about as much as what you see as what you hear. While a poor PowerPoint can turn off an audience, a great visual presentation can enhance and explain an idea.

If you’re looking for a great visual experience, BigSpeak Speakers Bureau works with the Top Public Speakers who use art and animation in their presentations. These keynote speakers are experts in storytelling, innovation, artificial intelligence, and creativity. If you’re looking to think, feel, and SEE differently, these are the keynote speakers for you.

Matthew Luhn

Matthew Luhn is a top business keynote speaker in storytelling and a former lead animator and storyteller at Pixar Studios, who worked on Toy Story, Cars, Monsters Inc., and more. Alongside his story work in Hollywood, Matthew works closely with Fortune 500 companies, entrepreneurs, and other professionals to craft stories that bridge the gap between business and heart to build stronger brands and business communication.

Janelle Shane

Janelle Shane is a machine learning expert and artificial intelligence humorist. Her TED talk, “The danger of AI is weirder than you think” has over 3 million views and provides a funny and insightful look at the nature of machine learning algorithms. She explains some of the myths and fallacies of AI, often using funny visuals, so you can understand the future of AI: what AI can and can not do for your business.

Duncan Wardle

Duncan Wardle is an innovation and creativity keynote speaker. Using art and activities, Duncan pushes executives and their teams to overcome preconceived ideas, act more audaciously, and develop their own innovation “light switch.”

Deanna Marsigliese

Deanna Marsigliese is a creativity keynote speaker, animation art director, and illustrator at Pixar Studios. You’ve seen some of her work in Luca, Soul, Onward, and the Incredibles. Deanna used workshops to show how to appeal to audiences.

Phil Hansen

Phil Hansen is a top innovation keynote speaker, internationally recognized multimedia artist, and author. Phil shares how to find creativity within limitations so you can start looking inside yourself for resources that will transform your challenges into opportunities for success.

Erik Wahl

Erik Wahl is an internationally recognized artist, top TED speaker, and No. 1 bestselling author. His breakthrough experience as an artist and entrepreneur has translated into making him into one of the most sought-after corporate speakers on the circuit today. On stage, Erik’s keynote experience creates a dynamic multidimensional metaphor for how to systematically embrace innovation and risk.

This article was originally published by BigSpeak  Jun 22, 2023.

Words do two major things: they provide food for the mind and create light for understanding and awareness.” – Jim Rohn.

From inspiring Fortune 500 boardrooms to captivating international stages, these top public speakers are among the most influential voices of our time. Their ability to connect with audiences on a deep, emotional level is unmatched, driving change across a range of topics and empowering individuals from all walks of life.

Meet the world’s top public speakers who leverage the power to move audiences, spark change, and transform events into unforgettable experiences.

Top Public Speakers

Jeff DeGraff

Renowned for jumpstarting creativity and empowering innovation culture and ecosystems at over half of the Fortune 500, Professor Jeff DeGraff combines top B-School expertise and research with extensive consulting experience and a successful career taking Domino’s Pizza from $50M to $2B. Dubbed “The Dean of Innovation,” for his simultaneously creative and pragmatic approach, he is a bestselling author and long-established thought leader in the innovation space. His talks inspire audiences while providing a proven playbook for success.

Chaunte Lowe

Chaunté Lowe is the story of determination, perseverance, and strength.  Not only is Lowe a mother of 3, a wife, and a business owner; she is also a professional athlete, an American Record Holder, a 4-time Olympian, a 3-Time World Championship medalist, and 12 times US National Champion. She has been in high demand since she decided to train for the Tokyo 2021 Olympics while undergoing chemotherapy and a double mastectomy for breast cancer. Her resilience is impactful in her own life, and to those who hear her speak.

Adam Cheyer

Adam Cheyer is a top technology public speaker, AI expert, and entrepreneur. He co-founded Siri, which was acquired by Apple, and later co-founded Viv, which became the basis of the voice assistant Bixby on Samsung phones, TVs, watches, and more. He is also a founding member and first developer at Change.org, the world’s largest petition platform, with more than 300M members.

Molly Bloom 

Molly Bloom is a top inspirational public speaker, entrepreneur, host of the award-winning podcast TORCHED, and bestselling author of Molly’s Game, the riveting story and Oscar nominated film about Molly running the most exclusive high stakes poker game in the world, being raided by the FBI and always maintaining her integrity. Her memoir was adapted into an award-winning film by Aaron Sorkin. Bloom has appeared on numerous shows and in media outlets such as Ellen, Vice, The Los Angeles Times, NPR, Vulture, and has been asked to speak at Fortune’s Most Powerful Women.  Molly was also in the Top 3 of the US Ski Team.

Marcus Collins 

From Budweiser to Beyonce, McDonald’s to Google, Marcus Collins has been the architect behind some of the most famous ad campaigns of the last decade. When he’s not helping blue chip brands create contagious marketing ideas as Chief Strategy Officer at award-winning agency, Wieden+Kennedy, appearing on the TED stage, writing a column for Adweek or releasing a much-anticipated new book, he is shaping the next generation of marketers as a marketing professor at the Ross School of Business, University of Michigan. A celebrated expert on cultural contagion, meaning-making, brand strategy, and consumer behavior, Marcus shows audiences in any industry or profession how to harness the power of culture to get others to share your vision and most of all, take action.

Nancy Giordano 

Described as endlessly optimistic, Nancy is a strategic futurist and bestselling author with a drive to help enterprise organizations and visionary leaders transform to meet the escalating expectations ahead. Recognized as one of the world’s top female futurists, she has spent her career building, shaping and evolving a portfolio of $60+ billion worth of major global brands. Invited to give over 100 global keynote talks, and with growing conviction of what will (and needs to) shift, executives value her unique abilities to sense and synthesize the terrain ahead. All of her projects have a key common denominator: transitioning away from the extractive operating systems and outdated business thinking that no longer holds up, to creating the more sustainable, inclusive and dynamic solutions the future demands.

Matthew Luhn 

Matthew Luhn is a top innovation public speaker and former lead animator and storyteller at Pixar Studios. He is also an award winning filmmaker and Pixar veteran of nearly 20 years. Alongside his story work in Hollywood, Matthew works with Fortune 500 companies, entrepreneurs, and other professionals to craft and tell stories that bridge the gap between business and heart to build stronger brands and business communication.

Wema Hoover

Wema Hoover is a culture and DEI expert who has dedicated her career to serving as a catalyst for change and as a transformational leader.  Her expertise centers on diversity, equity, & inclusion, authentic leadership and women’s empowerment with a reputation for creating systemic organizational change into people, processes, and products on a global scale. Her deep experience spans multinational, market-leading consulting, pharmaceutical, and technology enterprises with a high degree of cultural awareness having lived in the US, Europe and Asia and leading globally dispersed teams. As a trusted C-suite and board-level advisor, Wema has leveraged her background leading global DEI efforts for companies like Google, Pfizer, Sanofi, and Bristol-Myers Squibb to help inform and guide corporate leadership through evolving corporate culture, creating inclusive work environments and integrating DEI and sustainability to build high performance organizations and drive business results.

Kwame Christian 

A business attorney and CEO of the American Negotiation Institute (ANI), Kwame Christian took his place among the world’s top negotiation experts when his TEDx talk went viral, spurring his bestselling books, Finding Confidence in Conflict: How to Negotiate Anything and Live Your Best Life and How to Have Difficult Conversations About Race: Practical Tools for Necessary Change in the Workplace and Beyond, as well as Negotiate Anything, the  #1 negotiation podcast in the world. Defining negotiation as “any conversation in which somebody in the conversation wants something,” Kwame has worked with the Fortune 500 to apply the fundamentals of negotiation to virtually all aspects of corporate success. He has also helped thousands, from all walks of life, acquire a negotiation mindset that can be applied to universal situations, conflicts, and difficult conversations. As Kwame is frequently quoted, “The best things in life are on the other side of difficult conversations.”

Robyn Benincasa

Robyn Benincasa is a top leadership and teamwork public speaker, author, and Adventure Racing World Champion. One of the highest-rated, female motivational speakers in the world, she regularly shares the stage with world leaders and business icons, her customers include many Fortune companies like Starbucks, Deloitte, Aflac, Boeing, and more.

This article was originally published by BigSpeak Jun 16, 2023.

Innovation is the lifeblood of progress, but how do we cultivate and harness it? This is where keynote speakers on disruption and innovation come in. These experts offer insights into the art of disruption, providing inspiration and guidance on how to challenge the status quo and foster creativity. From entrepreneurs to industry leaders, these speakers have a wealth of experience and expertise to draw from. They share their stories of overcoming obstacles, pushing boundaries, and carving out new paths in their respective fields. Their talks are a catalyst for change, inspiring audiences to embrace innovation and embrace the unknown. Through their words and ideas, these speakers ignite a spark of creativity that can transform individuals, teams, and entire organizations. So, whether you’re looking to shake up your industry or simply want to reignite your passion for innovation, an innovation keynote speaker can help you unlock your potential and unleash your creativity.

Understanding the Role of Keynote Speakers in Disruptive Innovation

Innovation keynote speakers are thought leaders who specialize in the art of disruption. They bring a unique perspective to the table, having often experienced the challenges of innovation firsthand. Speakers may come from a wide range of backgrounds, including entrepreneurship, academia, and industry. However, they all have one thing in common: a passion for innovation and a deep understanding of how to foster it.

Keynote speakers on disruptive innovation have a vital role to play in our fast-paced world. They help organizations stay ahead of the curve by inspiring them to embrace new ideas, take risks and challenge the status quo. Disruptive innovation is about more than just developing new products or services; it’s about questioning assumptions, challenging existing business models, and embracing change. Keynote speakers help organizations stay on top of these trends by sharing their insights and expertise.

Innovation keynote speakers also have a unique ability to connect with their audiences. They are passionate about their topics, and their enthusiasm is infectious. They use their stories and experiences to engage their listeners, making their talks both informative and entertaining. By connecting with their audiences on a personal level, speakers can inspire them to take action and embrace innovation.

Benefits of Disruptive Innovation Keynote Speeches

The benefits of listening to a disruptive innovation keynote speaker are numerous. For starters, these speakers can help organizations stay ahead of the curve. By sharing their insights and experiences, they can provide valuable guidance on how to navigate the ever-changing business landscape. They can also help organizations identify new opportunities for growth and development.

Innovation keynote speakers can also help individuals and teams unlock their potential. By sharing their stories of overcoming obstacles and pushing boundaries, they can inspire listeners to do the same. They can provide practical tips and strategies for fostering creativity and innovation, helping individuals and teams achieve their goals.

Perhaps most importantly, innovation keynote speakers can help individuals and organizations embrace change. Disruptive innovation can be scary, and many people are resistant to it. However, keynote speakers can help shift mindsets and encourage people to see change as an opportunity rather than a threat. By doing so, they can help organizations stay nimble and adapt to new challenges and opportunities as they arise.

Examples of Innovation Keynote Speakers

There are many famous disruptive innovators out there, from entrepreneurs to industry leaders. Here are a few examples:

Marc Randolph

Entrepreneur Speaker, Netflix Cofounder, National Bestselling Author, Executive Mentor and Angel Investor

Marc Randolph is a veteran Silicon Valley entrepreneur, advisor, and investor, whose career as an entrepreneur spans four decades. In addition to being the co-founder and first CEO of Netflix, Marc has founded or co-founded six other successful startups, mentored hundreds of early-stage entrepreneurs, and as an investor has helped seed dozens of successful tech ventures (and just as many unsuccessful ones). He is host of the top-10 Apple podcast That Will Never Work, where he works directly with entrepreneurs to provide 1-on-1 mentoring. He lives in Santa Cruz, California.

Tan Le

One of the Most Influential Pioneers in the Emerging Field of Brain-Computer Interface & CEO of EMOTIV, Award Winning Inventor and Author

Tan Le is a top innovation and business keynote speaker, technology entrepreneur, author, and founder and CEO of EMOTIV. She is one of the most influential pioneers in the emerging field of brain-computer interface. She has won numerous awards, including Young Australian of the Year in 1998,  Australia’s 30 Most Successful Women Under 30, Most Influential Women in Technology by Fast Company in 2010, and Forbes 50 Names You Need to Know in 2011.

Matthew Luhn

Top Creativity Keynote Speaker, Award Winning Filmmaker, Director, Former Lead Storyteller and Animator at Pixar Studios

Matthew Luhn is a top innovation keynote speaker and former lead animator and storyteller at Pixar Studios. He is also an award winning filmmaker and Pixar veteran of nearly 20 years. Alongside his story work in Hollywood, Matthew works with Fortune 500 companies, entrepreneurs, and other professionals to craft and tell stories that bridge the gap between business and heart to build stronger brands and business communication.

These are just a few examples of the many disruptive innovators out there. Each has their own unique approach to innovation, but they all share a willingness to challenge the status quo and think outside the box.

How Innovation Keynote Speakers Inspire Creativity

Innovation keynote speakers inspire creativity in numerous ways. One of the most important is by sharing their stories of overcoming obstacles and pushing boundaries. By doing so, they show listeners that anything is possible if you’re willing to take risks and embrace the unknown. They also provide practical tips and strategies for fostering creativity, such as embracing failure, taking breaks, and collaborating with others.

Innovation keynote speakers also inspire creativity by challenging assumptions and encouraging people to think outside the box. They help listeners see problems from a different perspective and identify new opportunities for growth and development. By doing so, they can help individuals and organizations stay ahead of the curve and adapt to changing circumstances.

Perhaps most importantly, innovation keynote speakers inspire creativity by igniting a passion for innovation. Their enthusiasm and passion for their topics are infectious, and they can help listeners rediscover their own passion for innovation. By doing so, they can help individuals and organizations unlock their potential and achieve their goals.

Innovation keynote speakers are an invaluable resource for individuals and organizations looking to foster creativity and embrace disruptive innovation. By sharing their stories and insights, these experts can inspire listeners to challenge the status quo, take risks, and embrace the unknown. They can help organizations stay ahead of the curve and identify new opportunities for growth and development. Most importantly, they can help individuals and teams unlock their potential and achieve their goals. So, whether you’re an entrepreneur, a business leader, or simply someone looking to reignite your passion for innovation, an innovation keynote speaker can help you unlock your creativity and achieve your dreams.

This article was originally published by BigSpeak Jun 13, 2023.

Here at BigSpeak Speakers Bureau, we’re big on our speakers. Well, obviously. We have the honor of working with incredible thought leaders in every industry and helping match event planners and execs with the perfect headliner. We represent world leaders, Olympians and best-selling authors who command the respect and attention of global audiences and book hundreds of events each year for repeat clients eager to work with new-comers and old hats on the speaking circuit alike. We have an ear to the ground when it comes to trend cycles and hot topics, and  most recently one of our executives noticed a certain subset of bookable talent has been undergoing a rapid explosion in demand and popularity: musicians.

For the right price and handled through the correct avenue, such as a valid agency or speakers bureau, almost any musician you can think of can be engaged for a private event–  and yes, that means any musician, from Beyoncé to Diana Ross to the Rolling Stones. The number of private gigs big name musicians are doing per year has skyrocketed in the past few decades, with one of our fellow firms going from booking about one hundred closed concerts a year to nearly six hundred in 2022. Stars like Flo Rida book over 30 private gigs a year, and certain agencies now have entire departments dedicated solely to procuring talent for these events.

Even more so than hiring a famous inventor or record-breaking athlete, working with an A-list chanteuse is a major investment. Private performances necessitate careful planning and requisition of funds, but they are a guaranteed way to shake up your organization and guarantee that your upcoming event will be the most memorable one your company has seen in years.

Starting first and foremost on the bright side, there are plenty of advantages to swapping out keynotes and team meetings for a live performance once in a while. The benefits of bringing a big-name musician to your next event include:

• Increased attendance. Many potential attendees are much more likely to not skip out on your event if you’ve booked a thought leader or well-known motivational speaker, and this return increases tenfold when your organization brings in a famous musician. A celebrity performer will increase excitement leading up to your conference as well as attract a broader audience.
• Improved morale. Live music can be a euphoric, transportive experience. Whether the audience is made up of customers, employees or business partners, mood and motivation will rise.
• Spike in brand awareness. A famous performer appearing at your conference will draw attention to your organization, and can also provide your company with a certain cultural currency that may lead to increases in sales, improved customer loyalty, and opportunities for partnerships with other brands.

As the more logical are doubtlessly thinking, yes it is the case that just as when booking a celebrity speaker, certain considerations must be made when bringing a famous musical artist to your event. It’s important to also consider these factors before getting too starry-eyed at the thought of your favorite artist performing a set at your upcoming symposium:

• Schedule in advance. The more well-known a musician is, the higher their demand. We recommend booking a general motivational speaker at least 3-6 months in advance, and a celebrity performer will need to be booked even earlier than this to ensure they are available for the desired date.
• Fork over the big bucks. There’s no beating around the bush and being coy: famous musicians make excellent conference headliners, but they are not cheap. You must be prepared to pay a premium to acquire one of these performers. Unfortunately, this does mean that a top-billed star is not a great fit for every organization’s event.
• Work with a reputable agency. Negotiating prices, booking travel and putting together nondisclosure agreements is vital, but also a hassle. Go through a professional to guarantee everything is on the up and up.

This is not by any means something we recommend be undertaken casually, but neither do we want to sound forbidding; famous musicians are difficult to obtain, but they are not unattainable, and they offer an undeniable dazzle that flips any mundane conference on its head.  There is no doubt that private gigs will continue to become more common, the logical conclusion to the past few years’ trend towards interactive and experiential events we’ve noticed, and we’re proactive sorts that intend to get ourselves and our clients out ahead of the curve.  With careful planning and execution, booking a famous musician is a sure-fire way to take your next corporate conference from snoozefest to smashing success, and we eagerly await the opportunity to help make your next conference truly unforgettable.

This article was originally published by BigSpeak Jun 13, 2023.