The Leading Speakers Bureau

Award-Winning Global Marketing Guru

The prolific author of many definitive marketing reference works, Professor Philip Kotler is widely regarded as the world’s leading expert on strategic marketing.
He is currently the S.C. Johnson & Son Distinguished Professor of International Marketing at the Northwestern University Kellogg Graduate School of Management in Chicago.

“Today’s smart marketers don’t sell products; they sell benefit packages”

Prof. Philip Kotler has been ranked among the top 50 most influential business thinkers. In 2009 Thinkers 50, the global ranking of management gurus, placed him among the list of most influential thinkers

[expand title=”In detail”] Professor Kotler has consulted to many major U.S. and foreign companies – including IBM, Michelin, Bank of America, Merck, General Electric, Honeywell, and Motorola – in the areas of marketing strategy and planning, marketing organization, and international marketing.

He has authored what is widely recognized as the most authoritative textbook on marketing: ‘Marketing Management’, now in its 12th edition. He has also authored or co-authored a number of benchmark books and over one hundred articles, many of which have been published in the world’s leading journals. He holds many major awards, including the Distinguished Marketing Educator of the Year Award of the American Marketing Association and Marketer of the Year by the Sales and Marketing Executives International (SMEI)[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Professor Kotler’s professional wisdom is contemporary, relevant and practical, and his presentations are illustrated with many examples drawn from international business. He offers profound and provocative perspectives on market-based corporate revitalisation.[/expand]
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Olympic Sprinter and Gold Medallist

Michael Johnson is quite simply one of the greatest athletes on the planet, and one of the best ever. His place in history was sealed at the Atlanta Olympics, during which he won an unprecedented 200 meters and 400 meters sprint double. Winning the double in Atlanta was impressive enough, but it was the nature of the victories, particularly in the 200m, which made Johnson’s name forever.

“Michael Johnson was the most eminent figure in athletics in the
1990’s” Wikepedia

[expand title=”In detail”] From a very young age, Michael always loved running and sport. Always the fastest amongst his friends, he never dreamed he would be a world record holder and Olympic gold medallist. No-one else before or since has come near his time of 19.32 seconds in the 200 meters.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Michael offers audiences an insight into how his competitive nature and love of sport have made him a winner. He shows exactly what it takes to become a champion and how to reach the top.[/expand]
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Cutting Edge Design Expert and Global Authority on Innovation, Sustainability

John Thackara is an internationally acclaimed authority on innovation in a green economy. For Business Week he is “one of the great voices on sustainability”, and the Wall Street Journal has noted his “global reputation as a cutting edge design expert”. The Economic Times of India lauded his “brilliant insights into the internet and sustainability”. John is the author of a widely-read blog at designobserver.com, and of twelve books including In The Bubble: Designing In A Complex World. As director of Doors of Perception, John also organises festivals around the world in which communities imagine a sustainable future — and take practical steps to realise it.

“Innovation starts with a meaningful question”
John Thackara

[expand title=”In detail”] John studied philosophy and trained as a journalist, before working for 10 years as a book and magazine editor. He was the first Director of the Netherlands Design Institute in Amsterdam and was program director of Designs of the Time (the social innovation biennial in England). He is a Fellow of The Young Foundation, the UK’s social enterprise incubator and sits on the advisory boards of the Pixelache Festival in Helsinki, the Pecha Kucha Foundation in Tokyo, and Design Impact in the USA. A Senior Fellow of the Royal College of Art, he is also a member of the UK Parliament’s Standing Commission on Design.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]John’s talks deliver tangible benefits: actionable insights into sustainability and resilience; a shared vision of ‘preferred states’; opportunities for innovation in your organisation; and the impetus to launch high impact projects. He uses inspiring stories to demonstrate how the sustainability challenge is an opportunity for immediate action. “I talk honestly about the severity of the economic and environmental challenges that confront us – but then I re-frame these challenges in such a way that people gain fresh insight into opportunities for innovation that they can exploit”.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Encounters with John Thackara can occur in a variety of formats adapted to suit your unique requirements – from a one hour keynote lecture to more interactive workshops, design clinics and Explorers Clubs.[/expand]
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Celebrated Author of ‘Wild Swans’

Jung Chang is the author of the best-selling book ‘Wild Swans – Three Daughters of China’, which has sold over 12 million copies and been translated in more than 30 languages. ‘Wild Swans’ has won many awards, including the UK Writers’ Guild Best Non-Fiction (1992), Book of The Year UK (1993) and NCR Book Award UK (1992),. Her biography of Mao Tse-tung, ‘Mao: The Unknown Story’, was published in 2005 and has sold some 1.5 million copies outside China and been translated into 34 languages.

A compelling writer and raconteur

[expand title=”In detail”] Born in Yibin, Sichuan Province, China in 1952, Jung Chang worked as a peasant, a ‘barefoot’ doctor, a steelworker and an electrician before becoming an English Language student and, later, an assistant lecturer at Sichuan University. She left China for Britain in 1978 and was awarded a scholarship by University of York, where she obtained a PhD in Linguistics in 1982 – the first person from the People’s Republic of China to receive a doctorate from a British University. She has also been awarded honorary doctorates from the Universities of Buckingham, York, Warwick and the Open University and Bowdoin University in the USA.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Her spellbinding lectures charting the dramatic developments in 20th century China provide a truly unique, inspiring and uplifting experience and help to understand the challenges of 21st Century globalisation. The lessons to be learned from her latest highly acclaimed book ‘Mao – The Unknown Story’ add tremendously to the understanding of Chinese culture and development. [/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]A gifted storyteller, her presentations stimulate emotions and leave audiences reflecting upon her powerful and moving messages, taking them on a thoughtful and, at times, emotional journey.[/expand]
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Musician and Co-organiser of Band Aid and Live Aid and Live

November 25, 1984 was an historic day for Midge Ure and all of pop music, as 36 artists by the collective name Band Aid gathered at SARM Studios in West London under Midge’s production. They recorded Do They Know It’s Christmas?, a song he had just written with Bob Geldof as the industry’s heartfelt and eloquent contribution to Ethiopian famine relief. The unstoppable emotion engendered by the project led to Live Aid, the summer 1985 global concert that, all exaggeration aside, spoke for a generation.

“An artist who has received Ivor Novello, Grammy, BASCAP awards along with a flotilla of gold and platinum records, needs very little introduction”

[expand title=”In detail”] Midge organised the Live 8 concerts with Bob Geldof, with the aim of pressuring G8 leaders into following his recipe for ending world poverty. In 2005 he was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to music and charity.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Midge Ure talks candidly about his career and what Live Aid and the Live 8 concerts mean to him. He explains how the musicians aimed to convince the eight world leaders to focus on fighting poverty in the third world.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]A charismatic and affable personality, Midge speaks emotionally and openly in his moving presentations. He is also a fantastic storyteller, leaving audiences well and truly inspired and entertained.[/expand]
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Former Chief Investment Officer of Baring Asset Management

Michael Hughes is one of the City of London’s best-known economists and as the Chief Investment Officer of Baring Asset Management, he was responsible for the management of US $47 billion in funds. Michael uses his considerable knowledge of the global and European economic landscape to provide essential information and insights to enable decision makers to plan strategically and gain the all important competitive advantage.

“A highly respected Global Finance Expert”

[expand title=”In detail”] Michael Hughes joined Baring Asset Management in 1998, from Barclays Capital, where he was the Group Economic Advisor and the Chairman of Barclays Capital Pensions Ltd. Prior to that, he was a Managing Director and Global Head of Economics and Investment Strategy at BZW Securities Limited.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Michael has the skill and knowledge which allows his audience to delve into the extremely rich and varied vein of economics and business strategies. Business leaders benefit from his astute insights and analytical brilliance of the economic landscape.[/expand]
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Former US Assistant Secretary of State and Adjunct Professor at Columbia University

James P. Rubin is currently an Adjunct Professor at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and a prominent commentator and lecturer on U.S. foreign policy. From 2000 to 2007, Mr. Rubin lived in London, working as a broadcaster, professor, commentator and communications consultant. Most recently, from 2005 to 2007, he was international news anchor and world affairs commentator for SKY news. Mr. Rubin served under President Clinton as Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs and Chief Spokesman for the State Department from 1997 to 2000.

He shares his insights of how media covers world events and how the public receives news

[expand title=”In detail”] During the 2004 election, Mr. Rubin served as Senior Adviser for National Security for the Kerry/Edwards Campaign. In the 1996 election, Mr. Rubin was Director of Foreign Policy for the Clinton/Gore ’96 Campaign. While in London, Mr. Rubin was a Visiting Professor of International Relations at the London School of Economics from 2001-2004, a partner in the Brunswick Group – a financial advisory firm – from 2001 -2004, and in 2002 and 2003 the host of the PBS series Wide Angle, a primetime, weekly international affairs program.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]James is an authority on foreign affairs and will give your audience insight into national security policies and US foreign policy initiatives that impact the world. James provides behind-the-scenes perspectives on his personal experiences during negotiations spanning the globe, from the Middle East and Iraq to Russia and China, in addition to the diplomatic missions which he led to Kosovo. Mr. Rubin is a regular contributor to a number of American and European newspapers, including The Financial Times, The New York Times, and The Washington Post. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]James is a stimulating speaker with a proven track record and is ideal for addressing international audiences as well as UK-based audiences.[/expand]
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Humanitarian, Super-model, Actress, Entrepreneur

Elle MacPherson is one of the most recognizable super models in the world. Perhaps best known for her record of six covers of Sport’s Illustrated’s highly anticipated Annual Swimsuit issue. Time magazine ran a cover story on her career entitled The Big Elle in 1986. In addition to making her mark in the world of business, Elle is also a successful actress having starred in Sirens, Batman & Robin and The Edge and also guest starred in sitcom Friends. She enjoyed worldwide success with her own sell out calendars in 1992, 1993 and 1994 and the Your Personal Best The Body workout video that was voted the year’s best by Billboard magazine in 1995.

Throughout her 25 year career, Elle has been a prominent figure in fashion, film, television and business.

[expand title=”In detail”] Transcending the traditional career path of the super model, in 1989 Elle established her own company, Elle Macpherson Intimates in Australia. As Chairperson, she has piloted the company and today Elle Macpherson Intimates is considered one of the most highly recognizable fashion lingerie brands in all markets. More recently Elle was appointed on the Board of Directors of Hot Tuna Surf overseeing design, management and strategy. [/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Testament to her success are the various awards Elle has won including the Fig Leaves Entrepreneur of the Year Award (UK) 2005, Glamour magazine Style Icon Award (UK) 2006 and Elle magazine International Style Icon Award (Spain) 2006. Understandably, she is incredibly popular in her home country of Australia having been made the first living Australian entertainer to be put on a postage stamp in 1999.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Elle is a mother of two and a hugely successful businesswoman who talks with charm, wit and ability on her incredible life story, business success and motivation.[/expand]
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Expert in Strategic Marketing, e-Business, Innovation

Professor Mohanbir Sawhney is a globally recognized scholar, teacher, consultant and speaker.

He is currently the McCormick Tribune Professor of Technology and the Director of the Center for Research in Technology & Innovation at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University.

“A globally recognized thought leader”

[expand title=”In detail”] Professor Sawhney is the co-author of three books and his research has been published in leading journals like California Management Review, Harvard Business Review, Journal of Interactive Marketing, Management Science, Marketing Science, MIT Sloan Management Review, and Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science. He advises Global 2000 firms and governments worldwide and has won several awards for his teaching and research. These include the 2001 Accenture Award for the best paper published in California Management Review in 2000 and the Outstanding Professor of the Year at Kellogg in 1998.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Professor Mohanbir Sawhney offers audiences his views on collaborative marketing with customers, IT and business agility, customer-centric organization design, organic growth and business innovation.[/expand]
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International Business Consultant, Author & Lecturer

Dr Jonas Ridderstråle is at the forefront of the new generation of European-based business gurus. He cuts through the madness and hyperbole surrounding the global economy and his appeal is truly global. Jonas has attained tremendous media coverage throughout the world. The 2005 Thinkers 50, the bi-annual global ranking of management thinkers, ranked him (and his colleague Nordström) at number nine internationally and as the leading European business guru.

“Rebel with a cause”

Dr. Jonas Ridderstrale has been ranked among the top 50 most influential business thinkers

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