Through her production company based at Paramount Pictures, Obst recently produced the smash hit How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days with Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey. She also produced Abandon at Paramount, the directing debut of Academy Award winner Stephen Gaghan featuring Katie Holmes and Benjamin Bratt. Obst's best-selling non-fiction book, Hello, He Lied: And Other Truths from the Hollywood Trenches, was #1 on the LA Times Best Seller's List in both hardback and paperback. Always at work on new projects, Lynda continues to write books and frequently contributes to many publications including the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, and Slate. She began her career in journalism with the New York Times Magazine, but moved from New York to Hollywood in 1979. Before long she found she had great talent for film development working for moguls such as Peter Guber and David Geffen in developing such films as Flashdance, and Clue. In 1985 Lynda partnered with Debra Hill to form Hill/Obst Productions at Paramount Pictures. Among their films were Adventures in Babysitting, and Heartbreak Hotel, directed by Chris Columbus. Lynda started her own production company in 1989 and moved to Columbia Pictures. There she produced The Fisher King with Robin Williams and Jeff Bridges, This is My Life, Nora Ephron's directing debut, and Sleepless in Seattle, with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. At Fox, her films included The Siege, starring Denzel Washington and Bruce Willis, One Fine Day, starring Michelle Pfeiffer and George Clooney, Hope Floats, starring Sandra Bullock and Harry Connick Jr., and Contact, starring Jodie Foster and Matthew McConaughey based on the Carl Sagan novel.

Lynda Obst's business savvy applies to virtually all careers. Now, more than ever, the successful manager must think, act, and plan like a Hollywood producer. You have to develop projects, sell the budget, assemble the team, manage execution, launch and market. And then, you have to start all over again. No one can speak about these skills with more insight or credibility than Lynda. As one of Hollywood's most successful producers and one of its most powerful women, she knows what it takes to thrive amid constant pressure and change. In this remarkable presentation, Lynda shares her experiences in the cutthroat world of Hollywood, and what she has learned about:

• Maintaining energy and focus
• Relaxing while using all your power
• Getting difficult people to do what you want
• What to do when the formulas you rely on no longer work
• The contribution mentors and peers make to your career success

Success in today's business world often means being able to adapt, compete, and perform in a stressful and ever-changing environment. Lynda's message has never been more relevant to your working situation.

Lynda Obst has an important message for any organization that pursues large, complicated sales. Her story of how she came to produce the blockbuster movie Contact is a compelling example of how to make the big sale. Getting Contact on screen was her obsession for over five years, and during that time she overcame obstacles, disappointments and setbacks, but kept the project alive. Lynda shares her secrets of how she maintained the momentum of this project, how she was able to sustain her own focus and enthusiasm, and above all, how she never gave up, despite daunting odds and the demands of one of the most competitive businesses in the world. With great insight and humour, Lynda shows her audience how to sustain momentum, shift gears when necessary, gain the support you need, and ultimately, seal the deal.

In the tough and unforgiving Hollywood film industry, Lynda Obst has been an incredible success. Her smart, entertaining and best-selling book, Hello He Lied: And Other Truths from the Hollywood Trenches reveals the hard work and strategic thinking Lynda used to achieve her goals, as well as the obstacles she encountered along the way.

In this dynamic and powerful presentation, Lynda takes her audience inside heated negotiations with top Hollywood players and personalities, and reveals what she's learned in more than twenty years in the business: how to swim with the sharks and not get eaten. Sharing her engaging stories and hard-earned wisdom, Lynda offers pragmatic advice, as well as a fascinating peek into Hollywood's powerful elite.