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Business Speakers,Celebrities,Entrepreneur,Motivational Speakers,Sustainability and EnvironmentalistsSpeaker Topics
Brain power
Creativity and Fear
In this compelling keynote, Todd Sampson unpacks the two most powerful forces in leadership and innovation: creativity and fear.
He shares the origin story of Earth Hour, now one of the largest global environmental movements in history—an idea born in a Sydney hotel room by a small, ordinary group of people using nothing more than their imagination. That story becomes the anchor for a deeper message: creativity is the last competitive advantage in a world increasingly driven by algorithms and sameness.
Drawing on personal experiences—from being trapped in a blizzard on Denali to taking the reins as a reluctant CEO—Todd reveals how fear is often the invisible force that kills our best ideas before they begin.
Using humour, insight, and actionable techniques, he shows how creativity can be learned, and fear managed—if we’re willing to be braver for just five minutes longer.
This talk is both a rallying cry and a roadmap for leaders and teams to embrace bold thinking, take action, and tap into the creative potential that exists within all of us.
Because if Earth Hour taught us anything, it's that ordinary people with a simple idea can help change the world.
Read lessTodd Sampson
Award-Winning Documentary-maker, Televisions Presenter, Adventurer, and Businessman
Todd Sampson is the co-creator of one of the largest environmental movements, the Earth Hour initiative, which has reached over one billion people internationally, in 5500 cities. He's best known as the breakout star of ABC’s hit TV show ‘Gruen’, and was the former CEO of one of Australia’s top creative advertising agencies, Leo Burnett Sydney. By the age of 24, Todd Sampson had completed an MBA, and later moved to Australia following a circuitous route including North America, Germany, and South Africa. He is a highly acclaimed entrepreneur and technology strategist, with over a dozen years of experience in the online sector. Todd Sampson is currently on the Board of Directors of both Fairfax and Qantas.
Todd Sampson is one of the few CEO’s in Australia that have come from a strategic background, and for over a decade, he has been a Managing Partner and Head of Strategy. Within that time, he has helped lead some of the most successful and creative agencies in the world. This work saw Todd Sampson becoming the recipient of the coveted Titanium Lion award (2008), at Cannes and B&T’s Creative Campaign of the Year in Australia.
Todd Sampson is now the writer, producer, and host of numerous international documentaries on Discover Channel. These include, ‘Redesign My Brain’, which won Documentary of the Year, ‘Bodyhack’, that received nominations for Best Factual Series and Most Outstanding Documentary of the Year, and most recently, ‘Life On The Line’. He was also recognised by ‘The Financial Review’ and ‘News Limited’ as one of the most influential executives in Australia, and his initiative, Earth Hour, was awarded the Yahoo Chair for Innovation. In 2018, Todd Sampson won Television Personality of the Year, at the GQ Men of the Year Awards. Away from the screen, Todd enjoys mountaineering and has climbed to the top of Mount Everest, unguided.
Todd Sampson is a highly sought-after motivational speaker. His presentations are built around his direct first-hand experience and explore innovative ideas, cultural change and problem solving. He recounts his real-life personal journey, utilising his unique creativity to generate ideas and effectively lead, whilst delving into concepts of culture, innovation, bravery and adventure. Todd Sampson offers practical advice in an inspiring and impactful way that is sure to motivate and move any audience.