Leigh Kessler
VP Marketing
Charity Engine
In 1998, Leigh Kessler moved to LA to start his stand-up comedy career. Like any comic, his earliest gigs were performing 3 to 7 minute sets at open mics and coffeehouses across the city, for any audience at any time, in the pursuit of becoming a professional stand-up comedian.
Five years later, he had become a headline act at comedy clubs, casinos, colleges, resorts and on cruise ships for Norwegian, Costa/Carnival, and Royal Caribbean. Talent in Motion Magazine called him "one of the few comedians that can make anyone laugh out loud" and "soon to be Television's Newest Star".
He was also one of the most recognized comedians on the VH1 network, regularly appearing on hit shows like "The Greatest", and the network's top rated show "Best Week Ever", and CNN Headline News where he was a comedy panelist on "Showbiz Tonight". Other credits include Sportsnet New York, MSG Network, Discovery Channel and Sirius Radio.
Over the past decade, Leigh has overseen and informed corporate, policy and campaign research and branding strategies for clients including Microsoft, McKinsey and Co. Johnson & Johnson, Duke Energy, GE, Monsanto, Friends of the Global Fund, Democracy Corps, NARAL, Kraft, TUMS, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Broadway, and the NYC Department of Health. During that time, he has lead enterprise CRM technology marketing and branding for Motionsoft Gym Management Software and CharityEngine Nonprofit Management Technology including 7 times recognition on INC. 5000 list of America’s Fastest Growing Private companies and 2 times Deloitte Fast 500.
He is a frequent speaker & presenter on technology, fundraising, data strategy and audience development.
Five years later, he had become a headline act at comedy clubs, casinos, colleges, resorts and on cruise ships for Norwegian, Costa/Carnival, and Royal Caribbean. Talent in Motion Magazine called him "one of the few comedians that can make anyone laugh out loud" and "soon to be Television's Newest Star".
He was also one of the most recognized comedians on the VH1 network, regularly appearing on hit shows like "The Greatest", and the network's top rated show "Best Week Ever", and CNN Headline News where he was a comedy panelist on "Showbiz Tonight". Other credits include Sportsnet New York, MSG Network, Discovery Channel and Sirius Radio.
Over the past decade, Leigh has overseen and informed corporate, policy and campaign research and branding strategies for clients including Microsoft, McKinsey and Co. Johnson & Johnson, Duke Energy, GE, Monsanto, Friends of the Global Fund, Democracy Corps, NARAL, Kraft, TUMS, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Broadway, and the NYC Department of Health. During that time, he has lead enterprise CRM technology marketing and branding for Motionsoft Gym Management Software and CharityEngine Nonprofit Management Technology including 7 times recognition on INC. 5000 list of America’s Fastest Growing Private companies and 2 times Deloitte Fast 500.
He is a frequent speaker & presenter on technology, fundraising, data strategy and audience development.
SESSIONS
April 18, 2019, 4:00 pm (
1.5 Hours)
With RAVE reviews after our Debut last year, our Comedy Marketing Keynotes Series arrives on the main keynote stage to explore the intersection of comedy, marketing, and business growth. Learn from the marketing turned comedy pros on how to engage customers and build loyalty with your brand. Most importantly, get the clear guidance you need to rid the world of all this bad, boring content from comedy keynotes that are sure to inspire and entertain.
April 19, 2019, 9:00 am (
55 Min)
To stand out from the pack of competition, brands need a cohesive, multi-channel strategy with an "original something" that's deeply authentic with a clear purpose and value that cannot be found elsewhere. Turns out the same goes for successful stand-up comedians, most all of which have well defined, original voices. To achieve success, they both need to go through a long and introspective process to unlock why they are unique and how to their going to keep winning fans and avoiding bombs.
In this fun and informational session, comedian and branding expert Leigh Kessler will tap secrets of stand-up comedians like Carlin, Seinfeld, Friendlander, Ansari and more to inspire you to find and communicate your brand’s unique and authentic self. You'll track along the journey from open mic to headliner to breakout star, and apply the best tactics to make your brand memorable long after customers pass you buy.
Gallop away with three essentials you can put to work:
•Find Your Voice (Authenticity): Understand how to authentically differentiate your product/services' unique value
•Communicate your USP (Specificity: Specificity is universal, generality is not relatable. Learn how to identify and communicate "Specific" details about your capabilities that audiences will relate to the most
•Break Thru (Originality): Understand why the most successful brands (products, services and comedians) breakthrough in their markets/sector
In this fun and informational session, comedian and branding expert Leigh Kessler will tap secrets of stand-up comedians like Carlin, Seinfeld, Friendlander, Ansari and more to inspire you to find and communicate your brand’s unique and authentic self. You'll track along the journey from open mic to headliner to breakout star, and apply the best tactics to make your brand memorable long after customers pass you buy.
Gallop away with three essentials you can put to work:
•Find Your Voice (Authenticity): Understand how to authentically differentiate your product/services' unique value
•Communicate your USP (Specificity: Specificity is universal, generality is not relatable. Learn how to identify and communicate "Specific" details about your capabilities that audiences will relate to the most
•Break Thru (Originality): Understand why the most successful brands (products, services and comedians) breakthrough in their markets/sector