The Leading Speakers Bureau

Renowned Big Data Expert

Kenneth Neil Cukier is the Data Editor of The Economist. From 2007 to 2012 he was the Japan business and finance correspondent, and before that, the paper’s global technology correspondent based in London, where his work focused on innovation, intellectual property and Internet governance. Mr. Cukier serves on the board of directors of International Bridges to Justice, a Geneva-based NGO promoting legal rights in developing countries and on the board of advisors to the Daniel Pearl Foundation.

“A renowned global expert on Big Data, society and the future of Business”

[expand title=”In detail”] Previously, he was the technology editor of The Asian Wall Street Journal in Hong Kong and a regular commentator on CNBC Asia. He also was the European Editor of Red Herring and worked at The International Herald Tribune in Paris. Kenneth was a research fellow at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, working on the internet and international relations. His writings have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Prospect, The Financial Times and Foreign Affairs, among others. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]In his presentations Kenneth reveals the hottest trends in technology and the dramatic impact they will have on the economy, science and society at large. He also gives important insights and information in the world of Big Data and analyses the key trends which define the future of business. Kenneth regularly serves as a conference chairman, speaker, panel moderator and presents on-stage interviews or after-dinner remarks at public and private events.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]His enlightening and well researched presentations are full of examples and success stories. Kenneth Neil Cukier is in great demand at business events around the globe.[/expand]
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Leading Authority on the Economics of IT

Erik Brynjolfsson is the Schussel Family Professor at the MIT Sloan School of Management, Director of the MIT Center for Digital Business, Chair of the MIT Sloan Management Review, and the Editor of the Information Systems Network. He has made important contributions to the world of IT Productivity research and his research has been recognized with nine “best paper” awards by fellow academics and five U.S. patents.

“Erik Brynjolfsson provides an important roadmap for future technology innovation ”

[expand title=”In detail”] Erik Brynjolfsson earned his A.B., Magna cum laude, and S.M. in Applied Mathematics and Decision Sciences at Harvard University. He received a Ph.D. in Managerial Economics from the MIT Sloan School of Management and has served on the faculties of MIT, Harvard and Stanford Business School. At MIT, he teaches a class on The Economics of Information: Strategy, Structure and Pricing and hosts a related blog Economics of Information. He currently serves as a director or advisor for several firms and non-profit organizations.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Prof. Brynjolfsson’s research and teaching focuses on how businesses can effectively use information technology (IT) in general and the Internet in particular. His recent research examines intangible assets, information worker productivity, the Long Tail in digital goods, and business process replication. He lectures and consults worldwide on Internet strategy, pricing models and intangible assets to audiences interested in the business and economics of information technology.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]In his concise, valuable presentations, Erik Brynjolfsson skilfully provides a wealth of evidence about the effects of business investments in information technology on companies and the overall economy.[/expand]
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CEO of the Futures Agency, leading expert on topics such as digital business models, the networked society, a sustainable business ecology

Gerd Leonhard is a well-known Futurist and Author of five books, a highly influential Keynote Speaker, Think-Tank Leader & Advisor, and the Founder of GreenFuturist.com. Gerd’s background is in music and the music business; he spent 10 years working as a professional guitar player, composer and producer. He then caught the Internet bug and became a digital media entrepreneur, serving as CEO with several Internet startups, based in San Francisco for 7
years.

“A versatile and experienced keynote speaker”

[expand title=”In detail”] In 2002, Gerd returned to Europe and started his career as Futurist, Keynote Speaker and Strategic Advisor. Gerd is considered a leading expert on topics such as digital business models, the networked society, a sustainable business ecology, social media and social communications. In 2006, The Wall Street Journal called Gerd ‘one of the leading Media Futurists in the World’. Gerd is a fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts (London), a member of the World Future Society and with his company The Futures Agency an institutional member of the World Futures Studies Federation.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Gerd offers audiences insights into the future of business, sustainability, environmental policy and some of the most pressing ‘green’ issues such as sustainability and ‘sustainable capitalism’ at conferences around the globe. He speaks at major events, company retreats, seminars and in-house training sessions.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Gerd’s keynotes, speeches and presentations are renowned for his hard-hitting and provocative yet inspiring, personal and intense motivational style.[/expand]
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Expert on the Information in a Networked Economy, and on the European Union

Prof. Dr. Viktor Mayer-Schönberger is Professor of Internet Governance and Regulation at Oxford University’s Internet Institute and a faculty affiliate of the Belfer Center of Science and International Affairs at Harvard University. Acclaimed for his ground-breaking research into the role of information in the networked economy, Mayer-Schönberger is a visionary thinker about information innovation and governance, data privacy, memory and forgetting in a digital age, electronic government, and – of course – big data.

“What I’m certain about is that Big Data will be the defining text in the discussion for some time to come”
Forbes.com

[expand title=”In detail”] A native Austrian, Professor Mayer-Schönberger holds a number of law degrees, including one from Harvard and an MS(Econ) from the London School of Economics. He founded Ikarus Software in 1986, a company focusing on data security, and developed Virus Utilities, which became the best-selling Austrian software product. He is also on the boards of numerous foundations, think tanks and organizations, focused on studying the foundations of the new economy, and he advises governments, businesses and NGOs on new economy and information society issues. He previously served on the ABA/AALS National Conference of Lawyers and Scientists.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]With his thought-provoking new twist, Viktor Mayer-Schönberger traces the important role that forgetting has played throughout human history, from the ability to make sound decisions unencumbered by the past to the possibility of second chances. In his insightful presentations, he examines the technology that’s facilitating the end of forgetting – digitization, cheap storage and easy retrieval, global access, and increasingly powerful software – and describes the dangers of everlasting digital memory. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]In his high content presentations, Viktor draws on a rich body of contemporary psychological theory to convincingly argue that both individuals and societies are obliged to rewrite or eliminate elements of the past that would render action in the present impossible.[/expand]
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UK Director for Twitter

Bruce Daisley is the UK Director for Twitter, establishing Twitter as an enduring, successful business in the UK, by helping UK and global organisations understand how to use digital media. What should brands do, and what shouldn’t they do? In February 2013 in a survey of CEOs and MDs, Bruce was named the “Fantasy Hire” that most leaders would like to make. Bruce spent 4 years leading YouTube (for owners Google) in the UK, helping to evangelise how people were using online video to British-based businesses. He regularly writes for the Huffington Post.

“One of the most talented people in advertising”
Campaign Magazine

[expand title=”In detail”] Until 2011 Bruce ran sales for Google’s UK display business – across YouTube and the Google Display Network, winning 3 Media Week awards and 1 IPA award for their outstanding work. In June 2010 Bruce was awarded for making the ‘Greatest Individual Contribution to New Media’ by New Media Age magazine after a poll of their readers. Bruce was formerly Digital Sales Director at Bauer Advertising (EMAP), Chairman of Association of Online Publishers Commercial Group and UK Representative – Cannes Lions Festival. Bruce is regularly voted the top-rated speaker at conferences including Media 360 and IAB Engage UK.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]
Bruce works to make the complex seem simple. Anyone daunted by the bewildering pace of change of contemporary society can be assured that Bruce helps make these things easy to understand. Using straightforward language, “free from jargon”, Bruce illustrates his vision using real world examples, talking about things that are real and now rather than fanciful ideas that are unlikely to come to fruition.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Bruce presents in an energetic, engaging style. He uses humour and video to help maintain an enjoyable narrative to often complex ideas.[/expand]
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Marketing, Communications and High-Tech Product Positioning Specialist

Marcus Bicknell is a highly successful entrepreneur and marketing executive in the television, leisure, internet and consumer products fields. Since 2005 he has been a non-executive director of SES (Astra) in Luxembourg, the world’s biggest operator of television satellites. He continues to work with start-up companies in high tech consumer products.

“Do not undertake anything unless its important and no-one else is doing it”

[expand title=”In detail”] Marcus formerly managed rock band Genesis and worked for CBS and A&M Records in the ’70’s. He established Vision Industries SA in France and was the founder commercial director of Luxembourg-based SES Astra satellite operator. Marcus was also MD of BBC World and BBC Prime TV channels in London, and was subsequently ran European ops for Boston-based CMGI.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Marcus knows classic and digital consumer marketing and has extensive experience in European markets. His particular speciality is in product positioning and the communication needed in the start-up phase of ambitious and complex consumer products.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]His style is dynamic, affirmative and oriented towards the listener. By drawing conclusions which are not always the perceived wisdom he challenges and stimulates audiences with his highly enjoyable presentations.[/expand]
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Renowned French Entrepreneur, Founder of Social Software App Seesmic & LeWeb Conference

Loïc Le Meur is a French serial entrepreneur based in San Francisco. He co-founded the highly popular European tech event LeWeb, a platform where new ideas, innovations and visions can be shared. Each year in Paris, LeWeb brings together 3500 web technology business leaders including entrepreneurs, users, developers, investors and journalists from 80 countries all ready to shape the future. LeWeb was also launched in London.

“LeWeb is where revolutionaries gather to plot the future” The Economist

[expand title=”In detail”] Previously Loïc successfully founded and sold several companies including a networking app Seesmic, a web hosting company and a web agency. He also founded one of the first blogging services in Europe called Ublog, He is featured in The Economist as one of “Europe’s Blooming Entrepreneurs”, and is a “Young Global Leader” by the World Economic Forum where he helps select the next Tech Pioneers and is also a regular speaker.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]A technology expert and web enthusiast with hands-on expertise, Loïc is ideally qualified to advise organisations on how to use social media to reap the valuable benefits that the internet has to offer. He also explains to audiences how an entrepreneurial spirit is paramount for organisations in order to stay ahead in today’s highly competitive business environment.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]A real breath of fresh air, Loïc Le Meur is a very charismatic and engaging speaker. His inspirational and highly informative presentations make him sought-after at conferences around the globe.[/expand]
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Pioneer in the Field of Visual Programming, Computer Scientist, Composer, Visual Artist & Author

Jaron Lanier is many things — composer, performer, computer scientist, philosopher — but one thing he is not is a machine. He is probably best known for his work in Virtual Reality having himself coined and popularized the term ‘Virtual Reality’. He has proposed and implemented a variety of technologies that have since spawned industries in their own right. He is also a pianist, a specialist in unusual musical instruments and a visual artist.

“Jaron Lanier is a recognised thinker, listed in The 2010 TIME 100”

[expand title=”In detail”] Among Jaron Lanier’s line-up of “firsts” are the first “avatar” for network communications, the first moving camera virtual set for TV production and the first performance animation for 3D computer graphics. His company, VPL Research, was also the first to introduce immersive virtual reality products, such as the first commercial interface gloves and head mounted displays. The founding contributing editor of Wired magazine, he has written for the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Harpers Magazine, Wired Magazine and Scientific American. He is currently the co-director of Project GUMBO, based on Caltech. He has edited special “future” issues of SPIN and Civilization magazines. He has served in various research groups concerned with the future and has been appointed a fellow at Cap Gemini/Ernst & Young, the World Economic Forum and the MacArthur Foundation Roundtables.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]With an expertise earned through decades of work in the field, Jaron Lanier challenges us to express our essential humanity via 21st century technology instead of disappearing in it. As he has either initiated or predicted many of the most dramatic recent developments in IT, his keynotes have the quality of a sneak preview of the future. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Jaron Lanier is often described as “mesmerising” and “one of the best speakers we have ever heard”. He brings humour and depth to his presentations and, on request, intersperses them with virtual reality music performances.[/expand]
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Professor of Information Systems, Department of Management, London School of Economics

Ian Angell is an expert in the Management of Information Systems. An accomplished author he has applied his research to archaeology, crystallography, medicine, management, physics and social sciences. Originally known for his work on computer graphics, including their commercial application, he is now better known as a futurologist, particularly his predictions for the Enterprise of the Future.

“To see the many benefits of computerization, you must first confront the dark side, and the complexity that arises when information systems interact with human activity systems.”

[expand title=”In detail”] Angell advises numerous national and international companies, and institutions, on the design, implementation and management of Information Systems (in particular using the Internet) in businesses, both large and small. He writes a quarterly column for CIO Connect. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Be challenged by the radical ideas of this systems specialistand profit from both the research and application of his work across many disciplines. For the past twenty years, he has concentrated on strategic information systems, and organisational IT policies. A particular speciality is the study of Systemic Risk and Complexity. On his initiative the LSE created a Research Centre for the study of Computer Security.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]An excellent teacher and communicator Ian is very well known on the International Lecture Circuit for his biting wit when describing ill-conceived computer applications.[/expand]
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Expert on the Connected Society

Thomas Köhler is an internationally recognized expert on technological change and the connected society. He is the founder and initiator of various IT companies and author of several books on information technology and society. He advises leading companies in the automotive industry, the financial service sector, retail and telecommunication.

“Thomas R. Köhler is one of the most sought after experts in Europe”

[expand title=”In detail”] After graduating from University, he was research assistant of Business Administration and Computer Science at the University Würzburg. Following that he founded his first Internet startup. Since 1995 he has held leading positions in various multimedia, internet and e-logistics companies. Under his leadership his team developed a number of solutions that pioneered the market in the fields of eCommerce, M2M and data analysis. During recent years Thomas R. Köhler has moderated some of the most important global IT and automotive conference. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]In his presentations Thomas R. Köhler motivates the audience and helps them to discover the potentials technological change offers to companies from all sectors. He also underlines the importance ‘being connected’ for organisations and society.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Thomas R. Köhler is not only a brilliant sought-after speaker, he is also an excellent moderator and presenter at conferences around the globe.[/expand]
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