The Leading Speakers Bureau

Former President of the House of Krug

Rémi Krug is a tireless ambassador for the House of Krug, whose passion for his craft and pride in his remarkable product remain undiminished after more than forty years in the business. He recently founded RK Conseil, a consultancy aimed at sharing his particular experiences in the luxury goods world and assisting others to explore the possibilities of value creation by “learning from luxury”. He is also Chairman of l’Institut des Hautes Etudes du Goût, de La Gastronomie et des Arts de la Table.

Instrumental in cementing Krug’s traditional ties with the UK, reintroducing Krug to the US, & making Italy, at one point, the company’s largest market

[expand title=”In detail”] Rémi Krug graduated in business administration from University in Paris at H.E.C. He served in the Navy as a midshipman in Brest and as a Naval officer on board patrol-boat ‘L’Intrépide’ in Saint Tropez. He travelled extensively throughout the world promoting the image of Krug champagne and maintaining the company’s close relationships with Krug lovers. He became MD of Krug in 1973 and then President from 2002 to 2007. Now officially retired from operational responsibilities, he continues as Honorary Chairman assisting the House of Krug on specific matters such as tastings and strategic vision.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]The great-grandson of Jean-Joseph Krug, who founded the Krug label in 1843, Rémi Krug demonstrates an intrinsic commitment to quality and a culture of excellence, which he illustrates with practical examples demonstrating how to make the leap from ‘good’ to outstanding. He provides insights into how and why he made design and the promotion of design a priority. As he prepares to pass on leadership to the next generation, Rémi continues to pursue his commitment to the broader community.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Rémi Krug’s extrovert personality and talents as a communicator naturally led him towards international sales and marketing. The qualities he expects of others and therefore exhibits himself are kindness and generosity, constancy, a sense of humour and, in business, honesty, discretion, broad-mindedness and curiosity, creativity, rigour, and professionalism.[/expand]
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Award-Winning Journalist & Author known for his advocacy of the Slow Movement

Carl Honoré is an award-winning journalist and is best known for his advocacy of the Slow Movement – an international effort by the harried and haggard to decelerate the pace of their lives. His book ‘In Praise of Slowness’ has been translated into 29 languages and landed on bestseller lists in many countries. In addition to worldwide broadcasts and public speaking, Honoré lectures in universities and takes part in debates and panels.

“We all feel under pressure to do everything faster. But faster is not always better”

[expand title=”In detail”] After studying history and Italian, he worked with street children in Brazil. This inspired him to take up journalism. Since 1991, he has written from all over Europe and South America, spending three years in Buenos Aires along the way. His work has appeared in publications on both sides of the Atlantic, including the Economist, Observer, National Post, Globe and Mail, Houston Chronicle and Miami Herald. His 2005 speech at the prestigious TED conference has been ranked in the Top 10 “Most Inspiring” talks by the millions of visitors who vote on the TED website. On top of a (relatively!) busy schedule of broadcasting and public speaking around the world, he lectures in universities and takes part in debates and panels. He has spoken with great success at Microsoft headquarters in Seattle as well as at several prestigious IT conferences, including Thinking Digital (UK), Pop!Tech (USA) and BloggCamp (Norway).[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Carl offers the alternative to living life in the fast lane. It’s called the Slow Movement. “Being Slow is not about giving up or dropping out. It’s about working and living better by relearning the art of shifting gears. Taking breaks, taking time to plan or think through a decision or even just taking a nap can boost productivity and the bottom line”. Carl helps audiences across the globe see the world in a new light. He is at ease running workshops for small groups or working the stage in front of thousands of people. His witty presentations are intellectually stimulating, highly entertaining, and forced us all to look at how we think about the invisible force that rules our lives: time.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Carl Honoré is an engaging, incisive and humorous speaker. He builds a compelling case for slowing down as a way to live, work and play better in the fast-paced modern world. His talks are dynamic, challenging, eloquent, informative and full of humour.[/expand]
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Financial Journalist & Presenter of Effetto domino on La7

Myrta Merlino is a TV presenter, journalist and producer of numerous television programmes (including Italia Maastricht, Energia, Mister Euro, La storia siamo noi and Economix). She presents the economic affairs TV discussion programme Effetto Domino, broadcast on La7, the private Italian TV channel. She has contributed to Il Mattino and Il Messaggero, reporting on economic policy issues, and is the author of two essays on economics, La moneta and Gli affari nostri.

“Myrta Merlino is a respected and natural presenter”

[expand title=”In detail”] Myrta Merlino presented the economic affairs talk show Economix on RAI Educational and RAI 3 from 2006 to 2009 and prior to that the programmes Italia Maastricht, Energia, Mister Euro and La storia siamo noi. On the RAI Radio 2 programme Alle otto della sera she also presented an in-depth series on the history of money. [/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Economic journalist, Myrta Merlino is at ease in any media situation, having gained vast experience on TV including her weekly talk show that treats economy in a very simple and interesting way, explaining how economy affects everyday life from macro to micro.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Myrta Merlino always manages to encourage engaging debate using her natural charm, intelligence and warmth.[/expand]
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Former Wimbledon Star

John McEnroe first made Grand Slam headlines in 1977 while still in his teens by capturing the French Open mixed doubles title and reaching the singles semi-finals at Wimbledon. He achieved further prominence in 1978 when he won the NCAA singles title during an All-American freshman season at Stanford University.

He then turned professional and began asserting his mastery with three successive US Open Championships in 1979, 1980 and 1981. He ended Borg’s five-year reign at Wimbledon with a commanding victory in 1981 that landed him as the men’s top ranked player (and youngest to achieve it), a position he held for four years. He took another Wimbledon title in 1983. But John McEnroe’s most memorable year was 1984 with Wimbledon and US Open titles and the highest annual winning percentage in Open history.

[expand title=”In detail”] In addition to his singles achievements, John has dominated the field as a doubles player, earning four Wimbledon titles and three US Open titles. John was the world’s top-ranked doubles player, as well as the leading men’s singles player. His 1992 Wimbledon doubles victory with Michael Stich raised him to the top-ten pantheon of Grand Slam winners.

John McEnroe’s most notable tennis accomplishments, however, are in his Davis Cup history, a tournament in which John has represented the USA for many years. He led the US team to the title several times while establishing the record for the most US Davis Cup wins.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Currently, John McEnroe excels as a network television commentator for the CBS, NBC and USA Networks at the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open. He also competes in a select number of tournaments and several special events and has recently opened the John McEnroe Gallery in New York, featuring the works of some of his favourite artists. It seems fitting that the world’s greatest tennis artist is helping contemporary artists achieve prominence and fame.[/expand]
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Branding & Marketing Pioneer and World-class Photographer

Oliviero Toscani’s internationally recognised work includes corporate images and advertising campaigns and was the creative force behind some of the most successful brands including Benetton, Esprit, Valentino, Chanel, Fiorucci. Most of the Benetton advertising campaigns were institutionals for the brand, always composed of rather controversial photography, usually with only the company logo “United Colors of Benetton” as caption. He is creating with La Regione Toscana a new research facility for modern communication called ‘La Sterpia’.

“The man behind some of the most memorable and controversial ads in history”

[expand title=”In detail”] Oliviero Toscani has worked as fashion photographer in the pages of magazines such as Elle, Vogue, GQ, Harper’s, Esquire and Stern among others. In 2005, five years after his resignation from Benetton, he sparked controversy again with his photographs for an advertising campaign for the men’s clothing brand ‘Ra-Re’. In 1993, he invented, founded, and directed Fabrica, the international center for research in the arts of modern communication. In 1990 he conceived, created and directed Colors, the world’s first global magazine, making of it a cult magazine, which set a trend for a lot of new editorial and communications projects. For his work he has won numerous awards.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]No stranger to controversy Oliviero Toscani has gained a reputation as a unique, masterful and highly creative individual. Being able to communicate in ways unthinkable to a traditional multinational corporation his presentations provide fascinating insights into the mindset of a true pioneer. Toscani’s work may be a form of cynicism, or it may be a vehicle for stirring up debate around social issues. Or it may be both.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Oliviero Toscani is a frank and passionate speaker and a truly colourful character, very comfortable with the seeming contradictions in his nature.[/expand]
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Former World No. 1 Tennis Player

Bjorn Borg is a former World No. 1 tennis player from Sweden and is regarded by some observers and tennis players as the greatest player in the sport’s history. During a 9-year career, he won 41 percent of the Grand Slam singles tournaments he entered and 89.8 percent of the Grand Slam singles matches he played. Both are male open era records. In addition, Borg’s six French Open and five consecutive Wimbledon singles titles are an all-time record. He is also the only player to have won in three consecutive years both Wimbledon and the French Open.

“A Tennis Icon”

[expand title=”In detail”] Nowadays the company, Worldwide Brand Management AB, licenses his name under the Bjorn Borg Sport collection in seven European markets. The upscale line, created in 1997, includes clothes, footwear, bags, eyewear and fragrances. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]As a former tennis superstar with universal appeal, Bjorn speaks candidly about the ups and downs of his career and inspires audiences with his motivational messages.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Bjorn holds audiences attention around the world with his absorbing presentations.[/expand]
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Academy Award-winning Director of Avatar, Titanic, Terminator, The Abyss and many other blockbusters

James Cameron is a Canadian film director, producer, screenwriter, editor, and inventor. His writing and directing work includes The Terminator, Aliens, The Abyss, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, True Lies, Titanic and Avatar. In total, Cameron’s directorial efforts have grossed approximately US$1.75 billion in North America and US$4.91 billion worldwide, making him one of the highest-grossing directors of all time. Titanic and Avatar are currently the top two highest-grossing films of all time.

“James Cameron has made motion picture history and touched the lives of millions”

[expand title=”In detail”] Described by a biographer as part-scientist and part-artist, James Cameron has also contributed to underwater filming and remote vehicle technologies. After seeing the original Star Wars film in 1977, he quit his job as a truck driver to enter the film industry. So important is technology in Cameron’s films that he waited years for the technical tools of the craft to advance sufficiently to realize his vision for Avatar, for which he had special 3-D cameras developed. For a time he even sat on NASA’s Advisory Council.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]James Cameron has major clout in Hollywood. He has always cared about making sure the facts are right and in his fascinating presentations he shares this attention to detail, as well as other facets of his groundbreaking work. His reputation as a driven perfectionist has become part of Hollywood legend. With his experience, a James Cameron speaker appearance engages and touches on many topics.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Having blazed new trails in visual effects and set numerous performance records, James Cameron is truly unique. While his outsize films push the bounds of technology, they’re always anchored in human stories with heart and soul and James easily conveys these feelings in his insightful talks.[/expand]
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The Most In-demand Designer in the World

Bruce Mau is the Principle of Bruce Mau Design and founder of Massive Change, a true optimist with a practical streak a mile long. An expert on innovation and creativity, he shows us how design is improving the quality of life for millions of people around the world, and how we can, and must, extend this revolution to the entire human race. He has worked on numerous high profile projects, and is currently working on a project to build better learning environments around the world.

“The brilliance of a sustainable idea is that it also makes sense for business”

[expand title=”In detail”] Bruce Mau is internationally applauded for his ambition, his humour, his close collaboration with clients (Knoll, Roots, architect Rem Koolhaas), and most significantly, his unerring optimism. For over twenty years, at Bruce Mau Design in Toronto (and now in Chicago) he’s designed everything from exquisite books to bookstores; and from signage systems to a museum of biodiversity with Frank Gehry. In his recent exhibit Massive Change, about the potential of design to solve the world’s most pressing problems, he expanded design into intellectual territory it rarely dares to tread.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]In his talks, Bruce Mau gives us a glimpse at the future of human civilization. Drawing on new developments in urban planning, social philanthropy, material science, radical economics, architecture and social networking, to name just a few, he provides an inspiring, big picture look that offers countless examples of positive changes, massive changes, that are reshaping the world for the better. He has lectured widely across North America and Europe.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]One of the world’s most sought-after designers, Bruce Mau urges us to do more of what we love with less of what we need in his inspirational and thought-provoking presentations, often with playful statements about the visual and cultural trends that influence today’s design culture.[/expand]
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International Management Consultant, Specialist in Strategic, Cultural & Behavioural Change

Phil Atkinson has been driving management and organisational change in ‘blue chip’ multinationals for more than 20 years. He is the director of Philip Atkinson Consultants and an associate of Woburn Consulting Group Ltd providing services to many blue-chip companies. He also designs learning strategies and business simulations and games to enable organisations to develop tailor-made strategies for accelerating and sustaining the implementation of change.

“One of those rare individuals who can significantly influence a company’s profitability and future”

[expand title=”In detail”] Phil Atkinson has partnered with a variety of blue chip companies in the UK, Europe and North America in industries ranging from Pharmaceuticals to Genetics and the Automotive Industry to Finance & Banking. His articles are regularly published in a number of management journals. He is the author of seven books on change management and regularly presents at conferences and workshops.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]As a specialist in change management, Phil Atkinson presents his view on helping people to transform themselves in order to make strategic leaps in improving their businesses. He facilitates a strong business culture focused entirely on the customer or your client. He helps people discover new tools for driving personal branding, showing us all how personal branding and influencing can enhance business performance, productivity and international competitiveness.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]A leading thinker, writer and practitioner in change, Phil’s master classes are geared to be highly interactive, candid and pragmatic in approach.[/expand]
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Former Dutch Professional Tennis Player, 1996 Wimbledon Men’s Singles Champion and Sport star speaker

Richard Krajicek is a Dutch Tennis legend. Since 2004 he has been the tournament director of the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam. In 2009 he made a surprise appearance on the professional golf circuit as a caddie for Wil Besseling, having managed him for two seasons. Since leaving the top-level of the game, Krajicek has featured alongside other retired professionals on the Tour of Champions and run The Richard Krajicek Foundation which builds sports facilities for children in the Netherlands’ inner-city areas.

“The ’96 Wimbledon champion was nicknamed ‘Crackerjack’ for his awesomely powerful serve”

[expand title=”In detail”] Richard Krajicek began playing tennis at the age of four, and after several successful years on the junior circuit, he turned professional in 1989. He retired from the professional tour in 2003. During his career, he won 17 singles and 3 doubles titles. His career-high singles ranking was world number 4 in 1999 and was named ATP Comeback Player of the Year in 2002. In 2000 he earned ATP’s Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of Year award, and in 1999 the Dutch Postal system released a stamp featuring the ’96 Wimbledon champion. He was awarded The Dutch Sportsman of the Year 1996, organized by the Dutch Olympic Committee.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Having been through some tough times in his career and overcome them to become the only Dutch player to have won a Grand Slam, Richard Krajicek’s story is one with many ups and downs. In his motivating presentations he explains how he dealt with setbacks and gives insights into his ambitions on his way to the summit.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Best remembered for winning the 1996 Wimbledon Championships and ending the dominance of Pete Sampras at the All England Club, the 6′ 5″ Dutchman, Richard Krajicek is a powerful and emotive speaker. He speaks about his experiences in professional athletics and the lessons he drew from them.[/expand]
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