Speakers Bureau: The Lavin Agency: The Lavin Daily

In the headlines

April 4, 2011

		The Extra 2%: Exploiting Small Advantages to Find Enormous Gains In a New York Times bestseller, Jonah Keri distills business lessons from one of major league baseball's greatest turnarounds
The Lavin Agency would like to welcome our newest exclusive speaker, Jonah Keri, into the fold. Keri's New York Times bestseller The Extra 2%: How Wall Street Strategies Took a Major League Baseball Team from Worst to First tells the unlikely story of how three financial whiz kids with no baseball experience turned a disastrous organization -- The Tampa Bay Rays -- into World Series contenders by implementing the same strategies that fueled their previous success. A deft story teller, Keri offers a nuanced look into innovation and how incorporating that little edge -- that extra 2% -- can help transform any organization, from a pro sports team to a Fortune 100 company to the neighborhood gas station. Keri provides a masterful look into the instructive overlap of baseball and business and leaves audiences with strategies that help them locate those small advantages which, cumulatively, add up to the difference between winning and losing. Get More Information About Speaking Engagements For Jonah Keri

March 31, 2011

		Mobile Engagement: Hosting a New TV Show on Apps As smartphone proliferation reaches a critical mass, Amber MacArthur's 'App Central' brings the mobile world to your living room.
Amber Mac -- the consultant, author, and TV host who has chronicled and even enabled the growth of social media, will co-host a new show dedicated to the next step in online and mobile engagement. App Central, airing on BNN and CP24, will cover apps for iPads, Blackberries, Android devices and other tablets and smartphones. Coming at a time of critical mass -- the iTunes store, for instance, recently passed 10 billion downloads -- App Central will feature reviews, celebrity interviews, and up-to-the-second-news. "So many people are going from having laptops and desktop computers in front of them," Amber said, "to carrying around these mobile devices, and they depend on all these applications throughout their day to be productive, to do interesting things, or, in some cases, just to waste time." Get More Information About Speaking Engagements For Amber MacArthur

March 23, 2011

		The Extraordinary Bravery of the "Fukushima 50": Why Heroism Must Be Repaid Bioethicist Arthur Caplan on our moral obligation to support disaster workers.
While most people have been evacuated from the surrounding areas of the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant in Japan, there are those brave few that stay behind. These fearless workers, dubbed "the Fukushima 50", are risking their lives -- by facing possible explosions, fires, and extended periods of radiation -- to prevent a total meltdown that would render the surrounding hundred miles uninhabitable for decades. In a recent article for MSNBC, bioethics expert Arthur Caplan explains why workers in situations like these, where the few are essentially sacrificing themselves for the many, must be properly supported. Caplan argues that there must be provisions in place for these rare and extreme calls of duty. Caplan champions an international agreement that binds countries to provide disaster relief workers with proper healthcare support, financial assistance and support for their families long after the news cameras have gone. A world renowned authority on biotechnology and bioethics, Caplan once again shows the breadth of his work -- as well as its importance. Get More Information About Speaking Engagements For Arthur Caplan

March 18, 2011

		Saying Goodbye to the Golden Age of Water Charles Fishman on why our most valuable natural resource will define the 21st Century
Charles Fishman's upcoming book, The Big Thirst looks at the new age of water, and how this often overlooked and utterly necessary resource may come to define the next century. In his latest talks, he dissects why water issues -- who has access to it, and how we use it -- are already important, and will only increase in importance in the years to come. How can technological developments change the way we use water? Why are newly industrialized countries -- such as India -- falling dangerously behind in water infrastructure, and how will this affect their economic growth? Why is "free" the worst possible price for water? Fishman weaves these fascinating talking points into sweeping talks that leave audiences with newfound knowledge, along with newfound questions. As the global population expands, Fishman is here to remind us that it is the most basic need that will drive human development -- and the thing we need, and have always needed, the most is water. Get More Information About Speaking Engagements For Charles Fishman

March 14, 2011

		Pitching New Business Ideas, Live on the Air On a new show, The Pitch, Jeremy Gutsche listens as aspiring entrepreneurs battle it out
Jeremy Gutsche, the founder of Trendhunter.com, the world's largest trend and innovation network, is now a judge on the Business News Network's new show, The Pitch, which gives two aspiring entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch their start-up businesses to a panel, who in turn can buy the idea. It's a little like Dragons' Den or Shark Tank, but with a twist: on this show, one entrepreneur pitches his or her idea against the other--live on the air, under enormous pressure. Because of his speaking schedule, Gutsche is, for now, an occasional judge. Over the past few years, Gutsche has spoken about innovation and idea-generation to over 80,000 people at over 160 events, making him one of North America's most sought-after business speakers. Get More Information About Speaking Engagements For Jeremy Gutsche

March 10, 2011

		Raising a Family, Building a Small Business Empire The largest celebrity brand in Canada, Debbie Travis strikes a perfect balance between home and work life
Debbie Travis is the renowned designer, author, TV icon, and entrepreneur behind Canada's biggest celebrity brand. Possessed of a fantastic dry British wit, Travis exudes a passionate, authentic charm, whether on TV or on the stage. Many of Travis' talks center on her deft balance of work and home life -- specifically, on how to handle the pressures of growing a business while raising children. Rich with relatable anecdotes, timeless tips, and her cheekily pragmatic list of ten commandments for busy working women, her keynotes have been described by audiences as entertaining, practical, even cathartic! The Lavin Agency is pleased to welcome Debbie Travis as our newest exclusive speaker. Get More Information About Speaking Engagements For Debbie Travis

March 7, 2011

		Changing the Face of American Culture: USA Network "Character Approved" Honoree Mycoskie and TOMS Shoes are honoured for changing the face of American culture.
TOMS shoes founder and Lavin speaker Blake Mycoskie has been named as a 2011 USA Network Character Approved honoree, along with singer Janelle Monae, filmmaker Davis Guggenheim, chef Grant Achatz, and eight others. The award "honor[s] the real characters who are changing the face of American Culture", and celebrates those that influence, inspire, and innovate -- which of course made Mycoskie a natural choice. As a speaker, Mycoskie inspires audiences the world over with his authenticity, passion and vitality. Whether in the TOMS offices, on a TOMS "shoe drop" or on stage, Mycoskie is helping to change the face of American culture -- one pair of shoes at a time. Get More Information About Speaking Engagements For Blake Mycoskie

March 4, 2011

		Following Up on Success: The Book of (Even More) Awesome Hot on the heels of his international bestseller The Book of Awesome, Neil Pasricha brings us (Even More) Awesome
Neil Pasricha will release The Book of (Even More) Awesome -- the follow up to his #1 international bestseller, The Book of Awesome -- on April 28, 2011. The new book continues to highlight Neil's trademark observations, which have brought knowing smiles and familiar nods to everyone from grad students to grandmothers. In his entry for "Sneaking cheaper candy into the movie theater," Neil writes, helpfully, "The only thing to avoid are Matrix-style trench coats with burrito dents in all the inside pockets." Awesome! Other entries include "Seeing old people holding hands," "A good turnout on your birthday," and, "Puppy breath." These are just some of the free and simple things that Neil makes us aware of -- things that make life, well, awesome. Get More Information About Speaking Engagements For Neil Pasricha

February 23, 2011

		Orange is the New Green: The Global Sustainability Movement Redefined With a focus on urban issues, Alex Steffen's new book provides a hopeful roadmap to building a bright green future.
The second edition of Alex Steffen's monumental anthology, Worldchanging, which features a deep focus on cities, promises to be nothing less than "the global sustainability movement redefined." In Steffen's words, the book, which deals strictly with practical solutions, will provide a roadmap to building urban environments that are carbon-neutral, zero-waste, equitable engines of prosperity. Our planet is hurtling towards a population of nine billion people, almost all living in or around cities. It is facing a massive ecological crisis and an unfaltering technological revolution. Ideas like the ones Steffen proposes, in the book and on stage, are no longer just provocative, they're essential. Steffen's goal is helping us build (and live in) bright green cities. Not in some distant, perfect future. But right now. Get More Information About Speaking Engagements For Alex Steffen

February 9, 2011

		Brands: Enormously Valuable, Utterly Fragile. Consumers are finally actualizing the enormous power they hold over brands. Bruce Philp on what companies need to know in the new Consumer Republic.
Consumers have no idea how much power they have. In his new book, Consumer Republic, Bruce Philp explains that the power to save the world lies with the consumer. The foundation of his message is simple: Brands make corporations accountable. They are the only leverage the average consumer has with which to make a company behave itself. If we want to change the way companies do business, we have to start voting with our wallets. With social media allowing customers to be more vocal than ever, businesses must undergo institutional and strategic changes in order to survive. Just like a democratic election, businesses have to try even harder to win over consumers -- emphasizing not only the strengths of their brands, but the strength of their character. Coming from a wealth of experience working with brands, Philp shows us how consumers are taking control of their brands -- and why this might just save the world. Get More Information About Speaking Engagements For Bruce Philp

February 3, 2011

		Fighting for Democracy: The Revolution in Egypt and the Middle East Reza Aslan discusses how a new generation of Muslim youth in Egypt, Iran, Tunisia, and beyond are clamoring for their rights and freedoms.
The protests in Cairo have added searing urgency to a topic that experts like Reza Aslan have been discussing for years: the future of democracy in the Middle East. Since 2005, Aslan -- a young, smart, and funny speaker with impressive academic credentials -- has been pushing for change in the region and, in fact, many of his books, including the seminal No god but God, predicted the confusion, the optimism, and the urgent social sense of change that is now spreading across Cairo, Iran, and the Middle East. In a new talk, Reza discusses what the demonstrations in Cairo and beyond mean for the future of the region, and the future of U.S.-Middle East relations. Aslan argues that there's a revolution taking place within Islam, but it's not about a small group of extremists who have hijacked the religion for their own purposes. It's about a very large group of people struggling to reconcile their faith and values with the realities of the modern world -- a struggle that will shape the future for all of us. Get More Information About Speaking Engagements For Reza Aslan

January 31, 2011

		Why Political Uprisings are Tied to Demographic Shifts Jack Goldstone on how The New Population Bomb is beginning to reshape the world.
The powerful images of political upheaval being beamed into our homes from Tunisia and Egypt may be shocking to some, but not to Jack Goldstone. That's because Goldstone, a noted expert on political revolutions, saw these events coming. In his talks and in his upcoming book, The New Population Bomb, Goldstone analyzes the drastic demographic shifts that will reshape large swaths of the world in the 21st Century. One of the major demographic shifts involves the unprecedented rise of large groups of highly educated, unemployed youth in the Middle East. An expert on political revolutions, Goldstone is the perfect speaker to analyze the international political landscape and dissect what the changes will mean to your country, your industry and your organization. Get More Information About Speaking Engagements For Jack Goldstone

January 26, 2011

		Changing the Scope of Food Journalism Food writer Mark Bittman retires his popular New York Times column The Minimalist and moves to the New York Times Opinion section.
Mark Bittman's New York Times column, The Minimalist, was beloved by foodies around the world. Bittman is retiring the wildly popular column after 13 years, but his fans don't have to worry. He's not going away. Bittman is moving to the Opinion section of the paper, where he will author his own weekly column and a blog on the Times website. The new format allows Bittman to widen the scope of his column, and gives him more freedom in both topic and expression. He will cover food policy, dietary and health issues, environmentally sustainable eating and much more -- all while injecting more of his trademark honesty into his work than ever before. The world of food journalism is rapidly changing, as people begin to realize that food consumption patterns have a huge impact on our societal structure. A champion of changing the way we think about food, Bittman's move allows him to broaden the scope of his writing to look not just at what we eat, but how we live. Get More Information About Speaking Engagements For Mark Bittman

January 25, 2011

		A Clarion Call to Fight Corruption in Washington Former super lobbyist Jack Abramoff shows us how to create change at the highest reaches of power.
You may think Washington is corrupt. But Jack Abramoff -- the most influential lobbyist of the last decade -- knows firsthand just how harrowingly deep the corruption runs. In 2006, Abramoff was sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to fraud, conspiracy, and tax evasion charges. Having served his time, he is determined to expose a flawed system and move our government toward transparency. On stage, Abramoff disentangles the (intentionally) complex process of lobbying. He conveys better than anyone else the unsettling degree to which lobbying affects the economy and our democracy, and he shows us why the public good is rarely on the agenda. You might be shocked by what he says, maybe even angered. But you will walk away with a nuanced understanding of how our system of government works, and what can be done, practically, to fix it. His talks are a rare chance to hear about an important topic that few people can speak knowledgably, or clearly, about. In his corporate-geared talks, Abramoff shows your company or industry how to avoid lobbying traps, such as letting the system -- unwittingly -- undo your best efforts. Get More Information About Speaking Engagements For Mark Bittman

January 25, 2011

		Tapping the Grassroots: The White House Turns to Community Leaders Legendary educator and community activist Bill Strickland chosen to the White House Council for Community Solutions.
For the past three decades, Bill Strickland has been transforming the lives of thousands of adults and teenagers through his innovative job training and education centers. Last seen in the public education documentary Waiting for Superman, Bill has just been chosen as one of the 25 members of the White House Council for Community Solutions. The Council, according to a White House statement, "will provide advice to the President on the best ways to mobilize citizens, nonprofits, businesses and government to work more effectively together to solve specific community needs." President Obama added, "These impressive men and women have dedicated their lives and careers to civic engagement and social innovation." The Lavin Agency would like to congratulate Bill Strickland on this tremendous honour, and for all of the work Strickland and his team has done to earn it. Get More Information About Speaking Engagements For Bill Strickland

January 18, 2011

		Neil Pasricha's 3 A's of Awesome Receives Raves at TED.com The author of The Book of Awesome hits a chord with his talk on the little things that make life awesome.
Neil Pasricha's talk at TEDxToronto has received more than just a standing ovation. It's been selected to TED's official website, where it has played to overwhelmingly positive comments from TED community members around the world. Uplifting, funny and poignant, Pasricha shares his three A's of awesome - Attitude, Awareness and Authenticity - in between telling his own personal story, about his motivation behind 1000 Awesome Things and The Book of Awesome and how his parents first taught him to appreciate all of the awesome things we so often miss. Oddly, it's often easier to focus on the negative instead of the awesome. Perhaps this is why Pasricha's talks seem to resonate so powerfully with his audiences -- he reminds us that we have the power to shape our own lives, not the other way around. Get More Information About Speaking Engagements For Neil Pasricha

January 18, 2011

		A Microfinance Pioneer on Poverty, Money -- and Love In her new TED Talk, KIVA's Jessica Jackley explains why microfinance has a profound affect on the lives of lenders and lendees that goes beyond the bottom line.
In her TED Talk, Jessica Jackley explains the motivations that led to the creation of KIVA, and why the connections created between lenders and lendees separates microfinance from traditional charity. What makes it different? Respect, and love. Jackley explains that people in poverty are not just looking for free handouts. Instead, they want the same power that we so often take for granted (in the midst of complaining about our student debt or mortgage payments) -- the ability to borrow money to build something bigger. When we give not just money, but love -- we just might be able to "make tomorrow better than today." Jackley is a true pioneer in the ongoing evolution of the social web. From the massive success of KIVA to her upcoming crowd-source small business loan project ProFounder, Jackley's outside-of-the-box thinking and contagious enthusiasm puts her at the forefront of the social entrepreneurship movement. Get More Information About Speaking Engagements For Jessica Jackley

January 11, 2011

		The Legendary Patti Smith Joins The Lavin Agency The singer, songwriter, and National Book Award winner is now available for keynotes
We are pleased to announce that Patti Smith -- one of the most influential and singular American artists of our generation -- has joined The Lavin Agency. Most recently, the singer, songwriter, and poet won the 2010 National Book Award for Non-Fiction, for Just Kids, her memoir of the formative years she spent in New York City, in the 1960s and '70s, as a desperately poor artist-to-be. Smith's engrossing book is a love poem to a great city, a long-lost milieu, and -- most touchingly -- her great friend, the photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. Maureen Dowd, of the New York Times, calls it "achingly beautiful." A legendary performer, and a vividly powerful and assured speaker, Smith talks about the artistic process and why now, more than ever, we need to appreciate, and invest in, the Arts. Get More Information About Speaking Engagements For Patti Smith

January 7, 2011

		Stronger, Smarter, Cleaner: How Innovation is Reshaping Our Material World On a PBS special -- NOVA: Making Stuff -- David Pogue introduces a slew of innovations soon to change our surroundings
Invisibility cloaks. Spider silk that is stronger than steel. Plastics made of sugar that dissolve in landfills. Micro-robots that zap diseases. Clothes that monitor your mood. What will the future bring, and what will it be made of? In NOVA's four-hour series, "Making Stuff," David Pogue, the popular New York Times tech reporter, takes viewers on a fun-filled tour of the material world we live in, and the one that may lie ahead. Pogue focuses on scientific and technological innovations ushering in a new generation of materials that are stronger, smaller, cleaner, and smarter than anything we've ever seen. As a speaker, Pogue takes on the world of technology with his unique brand of humor, entertaining and informing audiences instead of simply bombarding them with tech jargon. Smart and accessible, Pogue brings an easy warmth and a wisecracking joviality to any event. Get More Information About Speaking Engagements For David Pogue

January 5, 2011

		2011: The Year in Trends Trendhunter CEO Jeremy Gutsche takes a look at this year's hot trends -- and technology reigns
Jeremy Gutsche is a man in perpetual motion, always on the lookout for the next big thing on the horizon. With a new year comes new trends, products, and technological revolutions that will once again change the ever shifting landscape of business, media, and pop culture. Gutsche was recently on NBC's Today to talk about a few of the things we can expect in 2011. From augmented reality (overlaying the digital world onto the real word and using various devices to view the projected image) to social shopping (virtual tryout rooms where you can post an outfit to social media for instant feedback) to urban farming--consumers will once again be inundated with a plethora of choices. As a speaker, Gutsche can help your group spark innovation and identify the latest trends in your industry. Watch Gutsche's interview on Today below: Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy Get More Information About Speaking Engagements For Jeremy Gutsche

In a New York Times bestseller, Jonah Keri distills business lessons from one of major league baseball's greatest turnarounds

As smartphone proliferation reaches a critical mass, Amber MacArthur's 'App Central' brings the mobile world to your living room.

Bioethicist Arthur Caplan on our moral obligation to support disaster workers.

Charles Fishman on why our most valuable natural resource will define the 21st Century

On a new show, The Pitch, Jeremy Gutsche listens as aspiring entrepreneurs battle it out

The largest celebrity brand in Canada, Debbie Travis strikes a perfect balance between home and work life

Mycoskie and TOMS Shoes are honoured for changing the face of American culture.

Hot on the heels of his international bestseller The Book of Awesome, Neil Pasricha brings us (Even More) Awesome

With a focus on urban issues, Alex Steffen's new book provides a hopeful roadmap to building a bright green future.

Consumers are finally actualizing the enormous power they hold over brands. Bruce Philp on what companies need to know in the new Consumer Republic.

Reza Aslan discusses how a new generation of Muslim youth in Egypt, Iran, Tunisia, and beyond are clamoring for their rights and freedoms.

Jack Goldstone on how The New Population Bomb is beginning to reshape the world.

Food writer Mark Bittman retires his popular New York Times column The Minimalist and moves to the New York Times Opinion section.

Former super lobbyist Jack Abramoff shows us how to create change at the highest reaches of power.

Legendary educator and community activist Bill Strickland chosen to the White House Council for Community Solutions.

The author of The Book of Awesome hits a chord with his talk on the little things that make life awesome.

In her new TED Talk, KIVA's Jessica Jackley explains why microfinance has a profound affect on the lives of lenders and lendees that goes beyond the bottom line.

The singer, songwriter, and National Book Award winner is now available for keynotes

On a PBS special -- NOVA: Making Stuff -- David Pogue introduces a slew of innovations soon to change our surroundings

Trendhunter CEO Jeremy Gutsche takes a look at this year's hot trends -- and technology reigns