The Leading Speakers Bureau

One of Today’s Most Outstanding Photographers

Steve McCurry is an American photojournalist best known for his photograph, Afghan Girl that originally appeared in the National Geographic magazine. Throughout his distinguished career he has continued to cover international conflicts, including the Iran-Iraq war, Beirut, Cambodia, the Philippines, the Gulf War, and Afghanistan. His work has been featured worldwide in magazines and he is a frequent contributor to National Geographic. He has twice been awarded the World Press Photo Award, which has come to be regarded as the most prestigious international award for photojournalism in the world.

Afghan Girl was named as “the most recognized photograph” in the history of the National Geographic magazine

[expand title=”In detail”] Steve McCurry began studying film history cinematography and filmmaking at Penn State in 1968, but ended up getting a degree in theater arts and graduating cum laude in 1974. His photojournalism career began with his coverage of the Soviet war in Afghanistan. He disguised himself in native dress and hid his film by sewing it into his clothes. His images were among the first of the conflict and were widely published. His coverage won the Robert Capa Gold Medal for Best Photographic Reporting from Abroad.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Featured in magazines around the globe, Steve McCurry is a master photographer who has produced many of the world’s iconic images, having endured countless situations of grave danger. Driven by an innate curiosity and sense of wonder about the world and everyone in it, he shares vivid and thought-provoking insights into his uncanny ability to cross boundaries of language and culture to capture stories of human experience.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]One of today’s finest image makers, Steve McCurry’s high content presentations bring you closer to this man of exceptional courage who has achieved memorable and moving work, including a modern Mona Lisa (Afghan Girl).[/expand]
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Assistant Professor – Media Speaker at the Media Laboratory

Patty Maes is an Associate Professor at MIT’s Media Laboratory, where she founded and directs the Autonomous Agents Group. She currently holds the Sony Corporation Career Development Chair. Previously, she was a visiting Professor and a Research Scientist at the MIT Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. Pattie Maes received her Ph. D. in Computer Science at the University of Brussels.

Global Leader for Tomorrow” World Economic Forum 2000

[expand title=”In detail”] Patty is also particularly interested in building autonomous agents that interact with people. She is one of the project leaders for the ALIVE project (Artificial Life Interactive Video Environment). This project allows a user to interact in real-time with 3D animated autonomous characters.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Patty offers audiences an global perspective of her ground breaking research aimed at businesses wishing to compete successfully in the 21st century economy.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]An affable and charismatic personality, the soft spoken Belgian is highly sought after by clients keen to hear her fact packed and innovative presentations.[/expand]
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Web 2.0 Strategist, New Media Expert, Co-author of ‘Throwing Sheep in the Boardroom’

Dr. Matthew Fraser is a recognized Web 2.0 strategist and new media expert who speaks insightfully about the impact of Facebook, Twitter, Google, YouTube on business, politics and society. He has long experience as a business journalist/author, academic and technology policy adviser. He was Editor-in-Chief of Canada’s national daily newspaper, National Post, and co-hosted a prime-time national television show, Inside Media, on Canada’s public all-news network, CBC Newsworld.

“A recognized Web 2.0 strategy new media industries expert”

[expand title=”In detail”] Matthew Fraser is professor at American University of Paris, a lecturer at the Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris and a former Senior Fellow at INSEAD. He completed graduate studies at the London School of Economics, Oxford University, Université de Paris I (Panthéon-Sorbonne) and Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris, where he earned a doctorate in political science. He is the author of several books, including ‘Weapons of Mass Distraction: Soft Power and American Empire’ (2005) and ‘Throwing Sheep in the Boardroom: How Online Social Networking Will Transform Your Life, Work and World’ (2008).[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Matthew Fraser offers compelling insights into how Web 2.0 social networks like Facebook and Twitter present both opportunities and challenges to business and government as the “millennial” generation enters the workforce. The implications of these powerful changes, extending far beyond marketing and political campaigning, are rapidly changing organizational dynamics in areas such as health care, human resources, knowledge management, and leadership models. Dr Fraser has written extensively and travels the globe speaking about these powerful trends and how they are reshaping the way we interact socially, behave in organizations, manage corporations, and organize the political systems that govern society.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Matthew Fraser’s presentations are both enlightening and inspiring in the clear message he conveys about how to make the most of the changing social and business trends.[/expand]
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Global Entrepreneur, Strategic Marketing & Media Consultant

Christina Vlahova is a Strategic Marketing and Media consultant, Global entrepreneur and Marketing speaker. She is networking her business between India, Eastern Europe and Italy. Owner of Intellecta Srl – Strategic Marketing and Media consultancy, Christina has an extensive marketing experience having been marketing director of Coca-Cola and Western Union in Europe. She utilizes a lot of the online media and social networking sites to challenge our concepts of geographical distances, what is possible in the business world and how to establish new businesses.

“Anything that is of value in life only multiplies when it is given” Deepak Chopra

[expand title=”In detail”] Bulgarian born Christina Vlahova graduated from high school in India and had her Master’s in Advertising in the US. She has lived and worked in different countries, which contributes to her understanding that the world is as distant as we make it in our own minds. Christina is a jury member of the Bulgaria Effie Awards in Bulgaria and the Moscow International Advertising Festival. One of her latest ventures includes the representation of Bollywood in Europe.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]As a marekting speaker Christina offers you a creative approach to new media and challenges your understanding of what is possible in terms of consumer reach. She empowers small and medium businesses to become big with low-cost online techniques and ideas. In her work and presentations, she applies the traditional marketing techniques and marries that with the opportunities offered by the new media. Very creative, she has fascination for the possibility, which the online media offer to individuals and small businesses to grow.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Christina is very practical and creative marketing speaker, providing vivid examples and generating creative ideas through her interaction with the audiences. A natural presenter, she has a calm and warm demeanor, with a clear and professional style. She is also part of our Top Women keynote speakers. [/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 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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Lecturer & Researcher Carlos III University, Madrid

Irene Tinagli’s work focuses on policies for innovation, creativity and regional development. She has worked as a consultant for the Department of Social and Economic Affairs of the United Nations, for the European Commission, and for regional governments and development agencies in various European countries.

Irene Tinagli works on two levels: macro and micro”

[expand title=”In detail”] Irene Tinagli holds a Master of Science in Innovation Management and Policies and a PhD in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University. She has authored and co-authored international publications including ‘Europe in the Creative Age’ (with R. Florida) and ‘Understanding Knowledge Societies’ (with J. Szeremeta) and is an editorialist for the Italian newspaper La Stampa… Her research focuses on the social and economic conditions that lead to creativity and innovation. At the macro level she explores the geographic distribution of human capital and innovative activities and investigates the sources of regional growth, innovation and competitiveness. At the micro level, she explores the psychological mechanisms that attract and retain people in one place and that stimulate them to undertake more creative / innovative activities.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Irene Tinagli’s research is focused on the concept of innovation in social contexts, cities and regions, comparing global trends and local systems. Her invaluable presentations examine how countries and cities are adapting to the 21st century global economy, probing the opportunities and challenges that Europe faces in the global competition for creative and talented people. Her professional activities range from consulting, research projects, to training, executive education and speaking engagements, as well as participation to advisory boards and scientific committees.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Irene Tinagli’s expertly delivered presentations are high in content, clear and informative.[/expand]
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American Novelist, Author of New York Times Bestsellers Committed & Eat, Pray, Love and Spiritual speaker

Elizabeth Gilbert is most famous for her book ‘Eat, Pray, Love’, the story of the year she spent travelling around the world in search of personal restoration after a difficult divorce. The result is a book which has exploded in popularity with women across the planet. She was a staff writer for five years at GQ, where her stories earned her three National Magazine Award nominations. She has also written for such varied publications as The New York Times Magazine (Yoga Y’all!), Allure, Real Simple and Travel and Leisure. She has been a contributor to the public radio show This American Life. Her editor calls her the “Queen of Quirk”.

One of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World, 2008

[expand title=”In detail”] After graduating from New York University, Elizabeth Gilbert used money earned at a Philadelphia diner to travel. Coming from an educated, ascetic rural Connecticut upbringing, she came to her writing career with fearless reporting skills, an abiding appreciation for working-class values with an attendant scepticism of politically correct liberalism. Much of her writing has been optioned by Hollywood for potential films; one GQ story, a memoir about Gilbert’s career as a bartender in a lowdown East Village dive (“The Muse of the Coyote Ugly Saloon”) became the basis for the Disney movie Coyote Ugly.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Brilliant and personal, rich in spiritual insight, filled with sorrow and a great sense of humour, Elizabeth Gilbert is everything you would love in a tour guide, of magical places she has travelled to both deep inside and across the oceans: she’s wise, jaunty, human, ethereal, hilarious, heartbreaking, and pays great attention to the things that really matter. She muses on the impossible things we expect from artists and geniuses – and shares the radical idea that, instead of the rare person “being” a genius, all of us “have” a genius.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Expansive, exploratory, playful, bright and armed with a comic’s sense of timing, Elizabeth Gilbert has an awful lot of humour and charm. She also talks the way she writes – with intelligence, wit and not just a shade of the performer behind her expressive and insightful presentations. She delivers funny, personal and surprisingly moving talks.[/expand]
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