The Leading Speakers Bureau

Marketing Director, SKY Italia, Former Commercial Director Ferrari, & Group Vice President Marketing FILA

Andrea Zappia is Marketing Director, SKY Italia and Vice President Global Marketing at FILA Holding S.p.A., one of the leading companies in the field of footwear and apparel for sports and leisure-wear. He was appointed to this position in 2001 after five years in leading management positions with Ferrari S.p.A.

“A marketing expert”

[expand title=”In detail”] Andrea Zappia commenced his illustrious career with Procter & Gamble Italy in 1988. Five years later he became Marketing Manager for the Health and Beauty/Cosmetics and Fragrances Division, followed by a year as Key Accounts Manager National Chains and Euro Marketing Manager/Strategic Planning for Procter & Gamble ETC (Brussels). In 1996, he moved to Ferrari S.p.A as Director of Sales Ferrari. He became Director of Sales Ferrari and Maserati, when the two companies joined forces in 1997 and at the end of 1998 he advanced further up the corporate ladder as Director of Sales and Marketing Ferrari and Maserati Worldwide. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Andrea’s wealth of experience in respect of customer relationships, marketing mix and the placing and development of products proves invaluable to companies wishing to progress in the commercial industry.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]A brilliant and enthusiastic speaker Andrea Zappia reveals the secrets of his phenomenal commercial successes with his audiences.[/expand]

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Multi-award Winning Designer, Fashion Entrepreneur & Businesswoman

Amanda Wakeley OBE launched her signature label in 1990 and over the last two decades she has developed an international reputation for creating stylish, supremely luxurious womenswear and accessories. Scarlett Johansson, Demi Moore, Helen Mirren, Kate Winslet, Kate Beckinsdale and Charlize Theron are amongst her fans. Amanda has also had the honour to dress many members of Royal families, most notably Queen Rania of Jordan and the late Diana, Princess of Wales.

“One of Britain’s best-loved designers”

[expand title=”In detail”] Amanda Wakeley is entirely self-taught and was driven in her desire to make clothes from, she says, the moment she grew tall enough to reach the foot of the sewing machine in her parents’ home. She cut her business teeth whilst working in America for an influential New York designer and retailer but kept up her own designs and soon gained the confidence to launch her own brand. Having started with ready-to-wear fashion, the Amanda Wakeley collection now encompasses bridal gowns and fine jewellery as well as fashion accessories. She opened her flagship store on the Fulham Road in 2009, and her ranges are stocked in Harvey Nichols, throughout the UK and at Harrods in London. The brand is also represented throughout Europe, America and the Middle East.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Amanda Wakeley’s rise to business success has not been without tough challenges and she now uses her considerable talents to help raise both funds and awareness for a number of charitable causes. She is best known for her signature dresses and luxurywear and was a great influence on Princess Diana, when she was developing her working wardrobe in the early 90’s. With a thriving business in the Middle East, Australia, the United States, Singapore and Europe, she provides invaluable insights into current trends and movements in the luxury clothing world.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]A founding co-Chair of Fashion Targets Breast Cancer and fashion industry expert, Amanda Wakeley is an accomplished, confident and highly inspirational speaker. [/expand]

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Screenwriters & Creative Advisors

Zachary Sklar, screenwriter (with Oliver Stone) of JFK. Best screenplay nominations: The Oscar, Golden Globes, Writers Guild of America, and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. Edward Pomerantz, screenwriter of Caught, based on his novel Into It, Sundance Centerpiece Premiere, released by Sony Pictures Classics and nominated for three Independent Spirit Awards.

“Wallace Stevens, the American poet, tells us “to throw away the lights, the definitions, and say of what

[expand title=”In detail”] For the last fifteen years, Zachary and Edward have teamed up as Creative Advisors and Mentors to professional and aspiring screenwriters at Screenwriting Labs in Mexico and at the Harlem Arts Alliance Dramatic Writing Academy. Zachary served as Creative Advisor and Artistic Director at Sundance Screenwriters’ Labs and at the Equinox Screenwriting Lab in France. His screenplay credits include an adaptation of Mario Vargas Llosa’sFeast Of The Goat, starring Isabella Rossellini. Edward also served as Creative Advisor, Visiting Writer, and Mentor at the Moonstone Screenwriting Labs, the Sundance Lab,the Malaga Film Festival, and theInternational School of Film in Cuba. He was screenplayadvisor on Lucrecia Martel’s La Cienaga, and Martin Salinas’s IguanaStew. He has written episodes for Law & Order and has been therecipient of two Writers Guild Awards.[/expand]

[expand title=”What they offer you”]With Zachary and Edward you’ll see that the creative thinking that goes into writing an original screenplay is the kind of innovative thinking required of all professions–thinking in images as well as words, following your instincts and hunches like a detective or scientist in search of a breakthrough, asking the right questions, playing out alternate scenarios, keeping your audience, the “customer”, engaged, surprised and satisfied.[/expand]

[expand title=”How they present”]Together, with Zachary and Edward, you’ll watch scenes from their movies and then have the opportunity to ask questions, hear from the writers themselves what inspired them, the source of their ideas and imaginations. [/expand]

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Humorist, Web Artist, One of the Most Influential Online Entertainers

Ze Frank rose to Internet fame in 2001 with his viral video How to Dance Properly. Over 50 million people have visited his website which has won a Webby and was in Time magazine’s Top 50 websites of 2005. He is now one of the most influential on-line entertainers and helps organisations understand how to create contagious and viral media, how to leverage social media and how to think about creative development in general. He is currently creating a series of video commentaries for Time entitled That Makes Me Think of…

“The internet is not just a technology revolution; it’s a social revolution”

[expand title=”In detail”] At the age of 34, Ze Frank (pronounced “Zay”) seized upon that hot-and-up-and-coming phenomenon known as video-blogging or “Vlogging”. The Show with ZeFrank was a short video programme produced weekdays for one year. He was Artist in Residence at MSN helping them develop strategies for creating and maintaining online community spaces. Ze has worked as a consultant for a number of large organisations on issues surrounding online community building. He has lectured at several universities and art colleges including the New York University and the Royal College of Art in London. Currently he serves on the advisory board of Bazaarvoice.com and Buzzfeed.com. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]As a designer, performer, and consultant, Ze Frank explores the ways that technology shapes the human experience. He brings audiences an experience they will never forget, a truly entertaining and yet insightful look at how technology and creativity intersect, especially in web design, marketing and new forms of media. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]He describes himself as a mastermind of online entertainment and very few speakers so effectively combine style with content, humour with ideas and insight. Ze is also an extremely entertaining and highly accomplished moderator who is able to inject plenty of energy into any event. [/expand]

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Former CEO of Mothercare and LoveFilm

Simon Calver is currently Chairman of award winning online printing giant moo.com. and he is on the board of online pharmacy ChemistDirect. With an entrepreneurial spirit and exemplary success as CEO of some of the UK’s most innovative and preeminent businesses, including pioneering a new way of watching movies with LOVEFilm and turning Mothercare around, Simon Calver’s management style is natural and pragmatic.

“Renowned branding and marketing guru”

[expand title=”In detail”] Simon began his career as a graduate in Unilever and as a strategy consultant at Deloitte. He was a winner of Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year 2009 for London and the South East and representing the region in the National finals. He is a Companion of the Chartered Management Institute and is a fellow of the IoD. He regularly speaks across the country on management, leadership and entrepreneurship and was a keynote speaker at the IoD National Congress at the Royal Albert Hall in 2010. Simon has also been International VP of Sales Operations for PepsiCola, based in the US and General Manager and VP of PepsiCola UK where he launched Pepsi Max, Pepsi Blue and development of the Pepsi Music activity. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]From cutting-edge business practice to personal leadership tips to marketing in a digital era, Simon brings the subjects to life and offers real detailed, practical insights. His combination of corporate and entrepreneurial experience is rare and valuable. Acknowledging that every organisation has its own rhythm, Simon shows how to make change happen, how to revolutionise culture and how to disrupt the markets.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Combined with the genuine knowledge and wealth of experience he has amassed, Simon is an impressive, down to earth and accessible speaker. He has the unique ability as a speaker to both inspire and educate an audience.
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Groundbreaking Athlete, Fashion Icon, Design Innovator and Model

A record-breaker at the Paralympic Games in 1996, Aimee Mullins has built a career as a model, actor and advocate for women, sports and the next generation of prosthetics. Aimee was born without fibulae and doctors amputated both her legs. Defying all predictions she became the first woman with a disability to compete in the NCAA and went to set world records in the 100 meter, the 200 meter and the long jump.

“Adversity isn’t an obstacle that we need to get around in order to resume living our life. It’s part of our life”

[expand title=”In detail”] Aimee studied History and Diplomacy at Georgetown University. As a model she graced some of the most respected magazines such as Harper’s Bazaar, Elle and Rolling Stones. She travelled the world and spoke at renowned conferences where she created a deep interest in body image, fashion advertising and the opportunity of adversity. People Magazine named her “One of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World”. Aimee actively assists numerous non- profit organisations and is a founding member of the leadership board to SPIRE Institute, the world’s largest athletic development center. [/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]In her presentations Aimee reveals what is possible. She shows how we can adapt our mindsets, so that adversity and change are not to be dreaded but welcome as exciting parts of our lives. She also shares her experience of creating the rules to success by explaining some of the critical decisions she faced in her life. [/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Her highly personalised interactive presentations and free ranging question and answer sessions are truly unique and engage audiences around the world. [/expand]

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CEO at Ortiz Industry Inc and Former Global Creative Director at Nike

Claire Ortiz is CEO and cofounder of “intelligent fashion” company Ortiz Industry, Inc. For more than 25 years, Claire has built infrastructure and led teams in startup environments and global corporations like Nike, Wilson and UnderArmour. She has garnered a reputation for her entrepreneurial edge and ability to transform brands into major revenue generators. As Global Creative Director at Nike, Claire was hired by basketball legend Michael Jordan to turn Brand Jordan Apparel into a success. She carved out distribution channels and partnerships across the U.S., Asia and Europe.

“A respected apparel-industry executive”

[expand title=”In detail”] Claire’s design background matches her entrepreneurial expertise. She is a self-taught designer who created and sold her own successful label, Smoke Street Couture, in her early 20s. At 26, she was hired by the founder of Esprit Des Corps to be Director of Design, heading the design of all women’s products in the U.S. She also led creative and product development at Eddie Bauer and AirWalk, as well as brands like VH1 and MTV. Claire is a highly sought after speaker and consultant, with clients like MagicSourcing, SPG, Babolat, Tennis Warehouse, Men Chuen Fibre, numerous schools and universities and several others.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Claire Ortiz shares with audiences around the world her ability to transform brands into major revenue generators. Her expertise is based in building infrastructures, creating in depth Idea to Consumer roadmaps, execution strategies for large and small brands, as well as reorganizing teams, building marketing and marketing strategies. She is also known in her industry as ‘the fixer’. [/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Claire is a persuasive and charismatic speaker who has a tremendous knack for making ideas come to life in an easily digestible way. Her presentations are delivered in her natural ‘real talk’ style and a bit of comedy to make audiences feel at ease, especially on complex topics.[/expand]

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Acclaimed Tech Pioneer and Influential Leader on Change

Vivek Wadhwa is one of Silicon Valley’s most influential minds on technology, trends, globalisation competitiveness and future. The tech entrepreneur, business owner, accomplished academic and widely published writer is an innovation agent who oversees the academic programs at Singularity University, an institution that educates a select group of leaders about the exponentially growing technologies that are soon going to change our world. He is co-author of the bestseller ‘Innovating Women: The Changing Face of Technology’ and a regular columnist for Forbes, BusinessWeek and The Washington Post amongst others.

“An acclaimed technology expert and researcher known for pioneering change and innovation”

[expand title=”In detail”] Wadhwa holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Computing Studies from the University of Canberra and an MBA from New York University. He is founding president of the Carolinas chapter of The IndUS Entrepreneurs, a non-profit global network intended to foster entrepreneurship. He has been featured in thousands of articles in worldwide publications. He has collaborated with highly regarded academics from Harvard, Duke, NYU, UC-Berkeley and other universities and his research has been supported by grants from the Kauffman Foundation and the Sloan Foundation. He is a fellow and lecturer at Stanford and Duke University. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]In his presentations Vivek Wadhwa shares with audiences how technology will transform our world, disrupt entire industries and create new ones. An observer and researcher on the trends shaping globalization and innovation around the world, he also shows decision makers the keys to remain competitive in the globalised world focusing on business in India and China.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Highly inspiring and thought provoking, Vivek Wadhwa’s remarks are of great interest for business leaders, organisations and governments around the globe.[/expand]

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International Consultant Economist

Dr. Ven Anantha-Nageswaran is a reputed Global Investment Strategist. Also, he is an expert in social enterprise investment in emerging economies. He has been an angel investor in several socially relevant enterprises and is a Geo-Economics Fellow at the Takshashila Institution, a networked public policy think-tank and education institution which he co-founded in 2009. He teaches International Economics and Financial markets at the Singapore Management University and at IIM, Bangalore. Since 2011, he has been an independent consultant.

“Renowned expert on global economic and investment strategy”

[expand title=”In detail”] Ven obtained a doctoral degree in Finance from the University of Massachusetts in 1994 for his work on the empirical behaviour of exchange rates. His impressive career includes work experience and positions held at several top-tier international banks including UBS as a Currency Economist; Credit Suisse Private Banking as Regional Head of Investment Consulting & Global Strategy; and Bank Julius Baer initially as Head of Research for Asia in 2006, and subsequently as the group’s Chief Investment Officer in 2009. He has written extensively for financial dailies in India (MINT, Financial Express, Business Line and Economic Times). He is also a frequent guest on all the major international television networks.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Ven provides audiences with sound analysis of the dynamics of economics and finance in today’s business world. Decision makers from all industries will benefit greatly from his valuable insights and his incisive global economic outlook. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Ven’s high content tailored presentations are always well received. His messages are concise and informative delivered in his personal, yet highly professional style. [/expand]

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Renowned Keynote Speaker, Campaigner, Writer and Corporate Sustainability Advisor

Tony Juniper is an independent sustainability and environment adviser, a Special Advisor with the Prince’s Charities International Sustainability Unit, Fellow of the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and as President of Society for the Environment. He is a founder member of the Robertsbridge Group that advises international companies. For the last 25 years Tony has spent his time seeking change toward a more sustainable society at local, national and international levels; from providing ecology and conservation experiences, to making the case for new recycling laws, to orchestrating international campaigns for action on rainforests and climate change.

“One of the UK’s best known environmentalists”

[expand title=”In detail”] Tony began his career as an ornithologist, working with Birdlife International. From 1990 he worked at Friends of the Earth and was the organisation’s executive director from 2003-2008 and Vice Chair of Friends of the Earth International from 2000-2008. He was the first recipient of the Charles and Miriam Rothschild medal (2009) and was awarded honorary Doctor of Science degrees from the Universities of Bristol and Plymouth (2013).[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Tony speaks on how having good environmental policy makes sense for businesses in the short and long term – from our soil supply and fish numbers, to the cost of living and the value of nature to the economy. Backed up by the data, Tony firmly believes we can do things more cheaply, in a way that makes us more secure and drives economic growth.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Tony is a very charismatic and sophisticated speaker who clearly knows what he is talking about and communicates it with passion and clarity. [/expand]

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