Penny Burke

Penny Burke is not your average speaker, she’s a highly sought-after behavioural expert, a marketing powerhouse, and the creative mind behind some of Australia's most iconic advertising campaigns. With a rare blend of commercial savvy and behavioural science expertise, Penny helps organisations unlock the secret to what everyone wants in business: FAME.

As the founder and Director of Essence Communications, Penny has led strategic campaigns for household names like Specsavers, Monash University, Schwarzkopf, Ambulance Victoria, and Kennards Hire, as well as countless entrepreneurs and SMEs. She's consulted to all three levels of government, driving behaviour-change initiatives that tackle everything from public health to social action.

Penny’s roots are in big advertising, she was once Director at Australia’s largest ad agency and was named to the industry’s all-time "Dream Team". You’ll know her work even if you don’t know her name: the Pro Hart Stainmaster Carpet ad ("Meester Hart, what a mess!"), the unforgettable "Not Happy Jan" Yellow Pages campaign, and the legendary “Milk. Legendary Stuff” ads. These iconic pieces didn’t just sell products, they became part of Australian culture.

What makes Penny truly unique is her deep understanding of why people do what they do. She doesn’t just throw around stats and trends, she combines them with psychological insight and practical tools that help leaders, marketers, and changemakers influence real behaviour. Whether it’s motivating people to get vaccinated, shop online, or simply collaborate more effectively at work, Penny knows how to shift attitudes and actions.

Witty, insightful, and always engaging, Penny shares her proven “3 Laws of Marketing” to show how brands and organisations can grow influence, inspire action, and achieve the kind of cut-through that gets people talking, and acting. If you want your audience, customers, or team to do something different tomorrow than they did today, Penny Burke is the speaker you need.