Duncan Wardle
25+ years @ Disney, as Head of Innovation & Creativity, I now help organizations embed a culture innovation into everyone's DNA.
Reviews
"Duncan’s workshop sparked our creative minds and gave us tools that will pay dividends for years to come. My team was thoroughly captivated, fully engaged, energized and inspired. Look no further than Duncan for one of the best investments you will ever make in your business."
Lisa Cotter
Vice President of Marketing
Orlando Magic
"Duncan was an inspiring part of TEDx. His knowledge and experience are matched by his enthusiasm for delighting the audience with his wit and charm. I look forward to working with Duncan again- learning & exploring, in-depth, through his design workshops! "
Cassaundra Melgar-C’De Baca
Executive Producer
TEDxLadyBirdLake
"While Duncan spoke to a large and packed room, people were inspired and hung on his every word. Many claimed it was one of the best presentations they'd ever experienced. If you're looking for an amazing speaker who can motivate others to innovate, then look no further."
Michael Stelzner
Founder
Social Media Examiner and Social Media Marketing World
"Duncan has a unique way of connecting with an audience and challenging them to approach creativity in a radically different approach. Duncan’s insights and sense of humor keep the audience engaged from start to finish!"
Paul Noland
CEO
International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions
"Duncan has amazed all of us and our audience during his visit to Colombia. Addressing to an audience of over 1,000 people he was able to land innovation and creativity in very simple and practical steps, and in a very fun way also! "
Marcelo Cataldo
CEO
Tibo Une
About Duncan Wardle
As Head of Innovation & Creativity at Disney, Duncan helped teams at Disney Parks, Lucasfilm, Marvel, Pixar, Imagineering and Animation to innovate, creating magical new storylines and amazing experiences for consumers around the globe.
Speaking
Speaking engagement:
Keynote | Conference Speaker, Trainer | Mentor
Travels from:
United States
Fee range:
Price on request
Topics
The THEory of creativity
The ability to think Creatively is the one core human truth that will remain relevant in the brave new world of Artificial Intelligence. Thank- fully, I believe everyone has the power to be Creative. But wait, haven’t we all been told at one point or another that we’re not the “creative type”? That we should leave the creativity to the “Creatives”? For most of us, this has happened so many times that we end up actually believing it. For adults, not being creative is an accepted fate. But weren’t we kids once? Turning boxes into spaceships and pillows and blankets into forts and castles? What happened to that creativity? Well, with an education and corporate structure that encourages finding the single “right answer” to every question, we are trained to fall in line, and shut down that creative portion of our brain. Fortunately, that childhood creativity did not dissipate – it’s just lying dormant, waiting to be brought back to life. And those that are able to access it – the Edisons’ and Einsteins‘ and Disneys’ and Jobs’ of the world – are the ones that are able to drive massive creative disruption through major new theories and industries. So, how can you embed a sustainable culture of innovation and creativity throughout your organization, and encourage every employee to think creatively? Let me show you with my Theory of Creativity keynote. Leaning on 25 years with the Walt Disney Company, most recently as Head of Innovation & Creativity, I have designed a tangible Innovation Toolkit that everyone can use to “Think Different” and solve real challenges in the marketplace by leveraging their creative mind. By the end of my talk, your audience will walk away with a series of unique Creative Behaviors and Innovation Tools that will allow them to deliver revolutionary thinking and drive substantial results in all areas of your business.
Think different, the disney way
Do you ever wonder why most of your best ideas come to you in the shower, during your commute, while falling asleep, or some other unexpected place? Have you ever pitched a new idea, only to watch it get diluted or killed as it moves through the processes? Ever wanted to know how Walt Disney came up with the idea for a Disneyland or how Netflix completely revolutionized the movie rental industry? In his over 25-year career at the world’s most innovative organization – The Walt Disney Company – Duncan Wardle learned many important things about building a profitable business and winning creative culture. The most important? If you want to be different, you have to Think Different! Leaning on his experience as the Head of Innovation & Creativity at Disney, Duncan’s Think Different keynote takes audiences on a journey. Throughout this journey, they’ll be given a unique set of Innovation Tools and Techniques . These include the breakthrough “What If” creative thinking tool, made famous by Walt Disney himself, who used it to pivot his company from simply an animation house to an entertainment and theme park pioneer. After this immersive crash course from Duncan, your organization’s ability to mine for creativity and innovation will be drastically improved. In the end, your audience will leave with an actionable set of Creative Behaviors and Innovation Tools that will immediately foster a culture of innovation and creativity in your company.
delivering customer experience magic
The Walt Disney Company’s ability to redefine and dominate nearly every industry it’s ever entered is no coincidence. The continued success of Disney has been driven by foundational trait of the company that goes all the way back to it’s founder Walt Disney who was merciless in his pursuit of innovating the customer experience? By viewing all major business decisions as a customer experience decision, The Walt Disney Company continues to find innovative ways to engage consumers around the world, both old and new. And these innovative experiences have created one of the most passionate, loyal fanbases of all time. So, how does Disney Think Different and leverage Creativity to innovate the customer experience? Through several specific tools and examples I’ll share with your teams during my Delivering Customer Experience Magic keynote. You’ll learn from the following examples: By simply re-expressing the industry challenge Walt Disney created a level of hospitality that has never been replicated. How by challenging the rules of the industry, Walt came up with the biggest creative solution of the twentieth century. Learn how Disney Parks turned very product centric culture into a consumer centric one. How Disney leverages High Tech to enable High Touch, delivering record guest satisfaction. And How instead of asking ourselves How We Might make more money, by asking how my we address the biggest consumer pain point we created record revenues at DIsney.
the magic of storytelling
Every single day, millions upon millions of influential Millennial and Generation Z consumers begin their day in the exact same place: Instagram Stories. This habitual use of Instagram is not just to catch up with friends either. An astounding 80% of these users engage with brands just as often as they do friends. But why? What is it about this digital storytelling platform that draws in Millennials and Gen Z in, and has them connecting with brands at record-shattering rates? Simple: these young consumers - above all else - care about purpose. And purpose can only be shared through the magic of storytelling. Why is storytelling so important? Because it's in our DNA. Storytelling is a tool as old as mankind itself, having been used by humans for ages to share our biggest, brightest, and most important ideas. As such, we naturally respond to the power of story. And for brands that tell the right story to the right group of consumers - a story that clearly identifies their purpose - it's a way to build an incredible bond. One that, if nurtured correctly, can last for life. Think about the world's most powerful brands and the stories they tell. Steve Jobs did not tell a story about a computer company with better features. He told a story about a brand feverishly dedicated to "those who think outside the box". Walt Disney did not tell a story about building a profitable movie house; he told a story about innovating all forms of entertainment to bring families closer together. And Richard Branson didn't start his journey with a story about cost-cutting and quarterly profits. Instead, Virgin told a story about massively disrupting long-established industry status quos. These stories - and the purpose behind them - are what resonate with consumers, and are what catapulted these brands into some of the most valuable in the world. Leaning on his experience as the Head of Innovation and Creativity for the World's #1 Storyteller - The Walt Disney Company - Duncan will empower your audience the tools they need to leverage the magic of storytelling, and lead with purpose. Tools that will not only help your brand resonate with new, hard-to-reach generations of consumers, but with employees as well. Because purpose isn't just important for consumers.it's important for all stakeholders of your business. To succeed in this fast-paced, ultra-competitive market, your business must become a storyteller. Because the brands that choose to tell a great story about a great purpose are the brands that win. What story is your business going to tell?
Media
News
My three decades at Disney taught me not to fear automation
Data and artificial intelligence can combine to achieve extraordinary things, but robots will never be able to eclipse the human imagination.
Reviews
Lisa Cotter
Vice President of Marketing, Orlando MagicDuncan’s workshop sparked our creative minds and gave us tools that will pay dividends for years to come. My team was thoroughly captivated, fully engaged, energized and inspired. Look no further than Duncan for one of the best investments you will ever make in your business.
Cassaundra Melgar-C’De Baca
Executive Producer, TEDxLadyBirdLakeDuncan was an inspiring part of TEDx. His knowledge and experience are matched by his enthusiasm for delighting the audience with his wit and charm. I look forward to working with Duncan again- learning & exploring, in-depth, through his design workshops!
Michael Stelzner
Founder, Social Media Examiner and Social Media Marketing WorldWhile Duncan spoke to a large and packed room, people were inspired and hung on his every word. Many claimed it was one of the best presentations they'd ever experienced. If you're looking for an amazing speaker who can motivate others to innovate, then look no further.