Marketing Keynote Speaker

“Practical. Actionable. Inspirational. Real. Hilarious.”

Partner with a world-class speaker who addresses your audience's unique challenges, inspires action, and delivers real-world insights.

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A few companies Ann has worked with:

"Ann is a total professional. We received rave reviews. Highly recommend!"

Jeremy Troiano, Team Penske

"Spot-on. The audience was laughing and engaged every minute."

Margaret Shepard, Mayo Clinic

Recent Keynote Presentations

The Human Edge: Creating Unforgettable Content in an Era of Writing Robots

Let’s face it… artificial intelligence can generate content with a simple prompt. So, what separates the extraordinary from the algorithmic? What gives your brand genuine resonance when robots are burping out "content" by the megabyte?

Full Keynote Description

The Human Edge: Creating Unforgettable Content in an Era of Writing Robots

Ann Handley—the world's first Chief Content Officer and Wall Street Journal bestselling author—delivers a provocative and energizing exploration of how human creativity becomes your ultimate competitive advantage in the AI revolution.

Through captivating stories and unexpected insights drawn from her 25+ years at the forefront of content marketing, Ann dismantles conventional thinking about what "good content" really means today and beyond—even in your own industry, even with Gary from HR offering his unsolicited "hot take."

You'll discover:

The Authenticity Paradox: Why AI's growing capabilities have unexpectedly elevated truly human expression as the gold standard for breakthrough content
The Narrative Advantage Framework: How to develop storytelling patterns that no algorithm can replicate—and why these patterns trigger measurable neurological responses in your audience
The Content Courage Principle: Practical techniques for transcending industry conventions that keep most organizations trapped in forgettable mediocrity

This isn't just another "content strategy" talk with recycled tips about posting frequency and headline formulas. This is a fundamental reimagining of how organizations connect with humans in an increasingly automated world

The Slowment Revolution: Mastering the Art of Strategic Patience in an Instant-Results World

In a culture obsessed with quick wins and immediate gratification, bestselling author and thought leader Ann Handley reveals why our most meaningful achievements require us to embrace what she calls "Slowments" – deliberate periods of deep engagement that transform superficial habits into lasting mastery.

Full Keynote Description

The Slowment Revolution: Mastering the Art of Strategic Patience in an Instant-Results World

Drawing from compelling research and unforgettable stories, Ann exposes the dangerous "Expectation Gap" that derails our most important goals. She introduces a revolutionary framework for identifying which pursuits truly deserve our deepest investment.

You'll discover:

The Expectation Gap Paradox: Why our natural bias toward quick results actually prevents meaningful progress and creates a cycle of frustration and abandonment
The Hasty Progress Illusion: How to recognize when you're mistaking motion for momentum in your personal and professional life
The Strategic Pruning Principle: A counterintuitive approach to achievement that focuses on deliberately abandoning certain goals to accelerate others
The Slowment Decision Framework: A practical tool for identifying which areas of your life deserve deliberate patience and which don't

This isn't about doing everything slowly—it's about pushing against our impatience to make strategic choices about where and when to invest your most precious resource: time. In a world demanding we move ever faster, Ann reveals why knowing when to slow down has become our most powerful competitive advantage.

Perfect for leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone feeling caught in the hamster wheel of perpetual busyness, this thought-provoking keynote will forever change how you approach your most important work.

The Newsletter Revolution: How Email Became the Most Powerful Force in Digital Marketing (Again)

Fragmented attention spans and algorithm-driven platforms are a constant nuisance to online marketers. Despite this, one medium has quietly reclaimed its throne as the most direct, trusted, and effective channel to your audience: the humble email newsletter…

Full Keynote Description

The Newsletter Revolution: How Email Became the Most Powerful Force in Digital Marketing (Again)

Yet most organizations are either ignoring or squandering the opportunity. Instead they chase fleeting digital trends and AI chatbots. They treat email as a necessary but uninspired obligation.

Yet the most powerful marketing tool might be hiding in plain sight. So the critical question is: Do your subscribers clear their schedules to read YOUR newsletter? Do they talk about it on social media? Are you using this intimate channel to transform casual readers into loyal advocates?

MarketingProfs Chief Content Officer Ann Handley—whose own newsletter reaches over 50,000 passionate subscribers—reveals how forward-thinking brands and creators are abandoning outdated newsletter philosophies and embracing a revolutionary approach that transforms casual readers into devoted communities.

You'll discover:

The Trust Economy: Why newsletters have become the last authentic digital space in a world of diminishing attention and platform manipulation
The Relationship Renaissance: How the most successful newsletters build genuine connection through narrative techniques borrowed from history's greatest communicators
Beyond Vanity Metrics: The counterintuitive measurement framework that predicts sustainable growth and real business impact
The Newsletter Catalyst Framework: Ann's proprietary system for transforming your newsletter from just another marketing asset into your organization's most valuable intellectual property

Perfect for leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone feeling caught in the hamster wheel of perpetual busyness, this thought-provoking keynote will forever change how you approach your most important work.

Authentic at Scale: Reclaiming Marketing's Soul in a Hyperspeed World

These days, marketing teams are pulled in a thousand directions at once. But, fear not! Ann Handley delivers an exhilarating wake-up call that challenges everything we think we know about modern marketing effectiveness.

Full Keynote Description

Authentic at Scale: Reclaiming Marketing's Soul in a Hyperspeed World

Pipeline. Awareness. Brand. Community. Clicks. Comments. Social platforms you've barely heard of. AI transformations you don't fully understand. And everywhere—relentless pressure to deliver more, faster, yesterday.

I mean, this is exhausting, to quote Taylor Swift.

What if the answer isn't working harder or moving faster? What if it's about something far more radical—a fundamental reimagining of how authentic human connection can scale without sacrificing either the business results or the creative soul of our work?

In this high-energy, perspective-shifting keynote, Ann introduces the revolutionary "Authentic at Scale" framework that's helping forward-thinking organizations generate extraordinary business outcomes while simultaneously creating work that brings genuine joy to both creators and audiences.

You'll discover:

The Paradox Principle: Why our desperate attempts to "do it all" actually diminish our effectiveness—and the counterintuitive approach that delivers better results with less frantic activity
The Content Courage Framework: How to identify and amplify the authentic messages that truly differentiate your brand—creating exponential impact while eliminating exhausting marketing busywork
How to Scale without Sacrifice: A strategic approach to extending your reach without compromising what makes your voice uniquely valuable in an AI-saturated world

Drawing from both data-backed research and intimate, behind-the-scenes stories of brands that have successfully made this transition, Ann will leave you with both the strategic vision and tactical roadmap to transform how your organization approaches marketing.

This isn't just another presentation of tips and tricks—it's a fundamentally new playbook for marketing that resonates in today's hyper-distracted world.

Storytelling in a Chaotic World

These are weird times to be in Marketing, aren't they? It's business as usual at exactly ZERO companies. That's true no matter what you do or what you sell -- B2B, B2C, SMB... all of us. Everything is suddenly, confusingly different. So, what's the path forward? What do the current times mean for you, your business, and your customers?

Full Keynote Description

Storytelling in a Chaotic World

In this presentation, you'll learn:

How the notion of brand storytelling has shifted
7 non-negotiable things your storytelling MUST do
The best tactics for connecting with customers right now

Fireside Chats

Ann is also available for expert interviews, and one-on-one fireside chats.

"Ann is a professional, but also genuinely approachable,
AND HILARIOUS"

Caroline Hull, Field Marketing Director, Adobe

"I've seen a bazillion marketing keynote speakers. Ann is amazing. The energy. The insights. Time after time she's the top-rated speaker. Book her as your keynote and sit in the front row."

Andy Crestodina, Orbit Media

"Ann overwhelmingly exceeded all expectations of what a keynote address on the principles, purpose and power of Content Marketing (aka marketing) could be. The resonance, value and impact delivered to our community was palpable. Her message is spot on, delivered with humor and direct attention to our products and industry. We couldn't be more pleased with our choice and if you haven't heard her speak we recommend you do so."

Derrick Peoples, Strategic Marketing, Boston Scientific

"She garnered the best reviews out of a lineup of all-star speakers, delivering actionable insights while keeping things fun and entertaining at the same time. If you're looking to add some pizzazz to your next event, Ann should be at the top of your list."

Paul Clowe, Chief Financial Officer, NextAfter / NIO Summit

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