The multi-talented Graeme Bowman is a highly experienced MC, Comedian, Hoax Speaker and Keynoter. A fantastic, versatile choice for conferences, dinners and special events.
As a Hoax Speaker (Corporate Imposter) Graeme can become any 'expert' you like, and fool any audience you care to provide. Just watch their faces as the expert's credibility gets stretched to breaking point. A hoax can also be combined with a genuine keynote on creativity and innovation through his unique presentation, ‘Uncork your Creative Genie.’
As a Master of Ceremonies, Graeme loves taking a theatrical approach, weaving in original humour, poetry, impressions and characterisation. For example, his MC work often commences with an appearance by David Attenborough's ‘long lost brother’, Bruce, who delivers a hilarious, tailored routine about the evolution of your organisation. An MC role can also be combined with a hoax speech, to create a Hoax MC - a proven hit at gala dinners and awards presentations.
Graeme’s greatest passion is exploring complex topics in a creative, theatrical manner - he even has a provocative, entertaining keynote that pokes fun at the archaic ‘old boys club’ way of leading and working. Engaging this old white male to unpack patriarchy is the best way to encourage your audience to hold courageous conversations around topics such as gender inequality, diversity and inclusion, and purpose-driven leadership.
Graeme’s clients range across all industries and sectors, and have included IBM, Canon, Pfizer, KPMG, Coca Cola, Shell, CSIRO, Monash University, Australian Synchrotron, Red Cross, Multiple Sclerosis Society, Better Boards Australasia, Clean Energy Council, Waste Management Association, Australasian Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons.
Talking Points
From Possy to Cozzy: Freeing Our Planet from Patriarchy
Like a rapidly growing number of people, Graeme Bowman has a strong interest in speeding up the transition from a patriarchal to non-patriarchal ‘human operating system’. His contribution to this process includes the development of an engaging, interactive presentation that creatively explores:From Possy to Cozzy: Freeing Our Planet from Patriarchy
• the systemic root cause of the world's ‘wicked problems’: the archaic worldview that underpins patriarchy
• societal and organisational trends that are moving us away from a ‘command and control' form of leadership
• the advantages to an organisation of being seen as part of this progressive trend towards a more sustainable, equitable and ethical ‘human operating system’.
This content-rich presentation not only encapsulates Graeme’s unique and original IP, but also reflects his interpretation of deep insights from leading thinkers such as: Peter Senge, Noam Chomsky, John Elkington, Charles Eisenstein, Margaret Wheatley, Gloria Steinem, Naomi Klein and Arianna Huffington.
At the heart of the presentation is a simple, visual, memorable model that delivers a quick succession of ‘Ah-hah’ moments. 'Pozzy' is Graeme’s term for P-OS or Pyramid Operating System (today’s dominant and dysfunctional way of being, living and working). 'Cozzy' stands for C-OS or Circle Operating System (a new, more nurturing way of leading and functioning, one that has been struggling to emerge for some time, but which is now poised to expand exponentially).
From Pozzy to Cozzy is aimed at audiences at the senior executive level, across corporate, government and civil society sectors. In particular, this interactive presentation suits groups who have come to the conclusion that, both within and beyond their organisation, a holistic and collaborative approach is required to deal with deep, systemic problems.
Key Outcome: An increased willingness and capacity to have 'Courageous Conversations' around notions of privilege, diversity, ethical leadership and sustainable business.
Video
Graeme Bowman Showreel
One of Australia's most experienced hoax speakers, corporate imposters, MCs and conference facilitators. Also has a specialised presentation on society's transition towards a non-patriarchal way of living, working and leading.Our audience was very diverse, being a mix of scientists and administrative people, but your highly entertaining and informative address easily held their attention, and gave them insights i ... keep reading CSIRO Mathematical and Information Sciences
His dual role as MC and entertainer managed to retain the interest of hundreds of staff. He delivered five times in five weeks, without missing a beat.
As the enigmatic Gough Whitlam was the lunchtime speaker on Day One, we were concerned that our Day Two lunchtime speaker be equally absorbing. ‘Dr Connor’ did not disappoint us.
Graeme tailored his material to this corporate audience, which gave his performance the edge we were looking for. He certainly delivered what he promised... a real asset to our function.
Graeme’s preparation for the event was extremely thorough and his knowledge of the industry and the critical issues made him a credible “expert”. Give the positive nature of the feedback it is evident that you provided participants with an entertaining and enjoyable experience.
From your American accent, your research, the wonderful visualisations of hydroponically grown 'marine merinos', your impersonation of a llama, to your delivery, everything was first class.
As those in attendance represented the cream of the Meetings Industry, it was not going to be easy to impress them. But impress them you did. Your hilarious opening, which saw naturalist Bruce Attenborough poke fun at our industry, before bursting into a high powered rock song complete with manic dancing, really came out of left field.
The variety of characters, which ranged from Austen Powers and a truckie through to a sales rep and a shareholder, added considerable value to the business presentations by highlighting key messages in a humorous but relevant fashion. The use of devil's advocate characters was a great way to enhance what could otherwise have been fairly dry presentations.
Powerful story telling… engaging style; the visit by Bruce Attenborough was hilariously funny, but an excellent springboard into learning; participants walked away with practical strategies.
Business SA's annual dinner was a triumph and we've had many congratulatory comments - both on the evening and since. This encouraging feedback was largely due to your outstanding and highly entertaining performance as international defence expert Dr Geoffrey Pembroke. Inventive, witty and extremely well researched were some of the positive remarks recieved from our guests. From the moment you walked onto stage, you had the audience spellbound with your amsing anecdotes and tongue-twisting tales. Of particular note, your inventive insight into South Austrlalia's business community and defence industry was accurate and your unsuspecting comedy act caught many - if not all- by surprise. However, as your character slowly unravelled, there was hysterical laughter from all corners of the room. We could not have asked for a better response. Once again, thank you for your contribution in making the Business SA annual dinner an entertaining and ttruly memorable occawsion
A brief note to thank you for your performance. As you know, we had a large registration for the Congress of both Australian and international guests which included many Americans. Your hoax character, Professor George Conelly from Mississippi, fooled everybody. I was actually sitting at a table of Americans and they kept looking at each other and asking whereabouts could this man have possibly come from? They were alternatively confused, embarrassed and then outraged by this bizarre personality! It was a great hoax and the crowd loved it. It was an excellent idea to be in character for the entire evening and sit with delegates before your act sowing the seeds of further confusion. Earlier in the evening when we first arrived and I introduced you to my wife, she did not recognise you although, as you know, you had met before. Thank you for your effort in putting this hoax speech together. I know how much research must go into such a speech as the scientific content is quite complicated and I very much appreciated the effort that you made and also the sensitivity tht you treated the more contentious issues in view of entertaining an international audience.
I appreciate the time and preparation that went into developing and delivering your presentation. The feedback from delegates was that presentations were of a consistently high standard - which helped to make the conference a great success. Additional comments made about your presentation were "excellent session", "what a great presentation! Excellent!" and "Proffessional presentations were excellent at the conference particuarly Graeme Bowman."
Great morning… Graeme did an excellent job. He managed to integrate the industry specifics but at the same time kept the subject matter broad. This worked well with the audience who appreciated a deviation from the industry focus of past.
The best MC I have ever seen. A true professional that didn't stop working the participants until the absolute end. Extremely talented & appreciated by all.
Graeme slipped into his character very well. I am sure there are still people out there who aren't aware it was a hoax. He did a very good job interacting with the audience.
Congratulations on your tremendous performance which was the primary reason for the many claims by long term attendees that this year's event was easily the best and most enjoyable the Club had hosted in living memory. Your hoax character of Dr Geoffrey Pembroke had many in the audience completely hooked that you were some psychologically impaired, drunken, obnoxious English aristocrat who just happened to be a whiz at boat design and lateral thinking. At least they did until the llama call and the showing of the Bolivian tape worm. By that time no-one had any idea what was going on!
You proved to be a very big hit - from the hoax Frenchman, to the MC work, and to the AC-DC close. You had clearly researched our business well and gave the conference a huge dose of energy at the right moments.
Graeme joined us for a 3 day conference as our Master of Ceremonies. His style was a perfect mix of fun, comedy, creativity and seriousness, and his involvement was a big part in this year’s event being labelled the 'best ever'. Graeme also brought a number of hilarious elements to our Awards Dinner, and his hoax speech had a room full of geologists staring bug eyed at the stage wondering what on earth was happening. I would recommend Graeme to any organisers of large and complex events like ours.
When we were planning our National Conference, we had a number of requirements. We were looking for an MC who could engage the audience, keep things on track, and be entertaining. We were also looking for someone who could do some comedy at our opening night dinner, and then someone who could entertain the delegates at the Awards Dinner on the final night. We found them all, and his name is Graeme Bowman.
Graeme Bowman was Master of Ceremonies at the NSW Business Chamber Annual Awards Dinner. He took on the character of 'Elwood Jefferson', an American news reporter in Sydney preparing for a new show. This hoax worked fantastically well. Attendees were thoroughly captivated by this quirky and off beat character.
As those in attendance represented the cream of the Meetings Industry, it was not going to be easy to impress them. But impress them you did. Your hilarious opening, which saw naturalist Bruce Attenborough poke fun at our industry, before bursting into a high powered rock song complete with manic dancing, really came out of left field.
Last speaker on patriarchy was amazing. Very important messages delivered superbly and with great artistic flair and intellect.
During our dinner Graeme acted as MC, bogus food waiter, Bruce Attenborough, Hoax Speaker and rock star. This range of characters is testimony to a natural talent which entertained guests and ensured the night’s success. Expect the unexpected. 11 out of 10.
During ‘Uncork Your Creative Genie’, which combines a hoax speech with a creative thinking presentation, Graeme pretended to be a visiting American agribusiness expert. It was fascinating to see the expressions on people's faces as the hoax gradually unravelled - confusion, amazement and much laughter. Importantly, there were also valuable tips on how to think laterally. Graeme's comedy during the evening was heavily tailored towards the audience, and people loved to hear the names of their colleagues suddenly appearing in a wide variety of jokes and routines.
Our audience was very diverse, being a mix of scientists and administrative people, but your highly entertaining and informative address easily held their attention, and gave them insights into how to think more creatively.
From the moment you stepped onto stage, you captivated the audience and your professional approach and capability was evident. The skits were brilliant and resonated with the delegates. Your background work paid off and hit the mark without offence - an art in itself.
Your David Attenborough opener was instrumental in setting the mood for the evening and was a wonderful icebreaker with our staff.”
The variety of characters, which ranged from Austen Powers and a truckie through to a sales rep and a shareholder, added considerable value to the business presentations by highlighting key messages in a humorous but relevant fashion.
Your impersonation of a Coca-Cola Vice President from head office in Atlanta seemed to have everyone fooled, yet despite their enjoyment of your antics the presentation of the 'serious' material came across very clearly. It was an innovative way for us to convey the necessary information in a fun and entertaining manner.
At our national conference, which was themed around 'change', Graeme Bowman contributed to the outcome in a variety of ways. Apart from serving as Master of Ceremonies, facilitating discussion and injecting a good dose of humour, he also played a key role in three specific sessions: firstly, he delivered a comic hoax speech to open the conference, then opened up the delegate's minds with his presentation, 'How to Suck Great Ideas out of Your Head', then ran a 'team identity' session that fostered much interaction between delegates and helped identify what the Go Vita brand really meant to them. The feedback conducted was overwhelmingly “excellent” in the delegates comments, with quotes of what was said and what actions they were going to take as a result of Graeme’s presentations.
Magnificent job … as Dr George Connor from the World Business Council on Sustainable Development, the audience was caught completely by surprise. The speech broke the ice for many attendees who seemed much more relaxed and enthusiastic about meeting people and exchanging views the following day.
Thank you for an amazing performance. You certainly helped to pull a very challenging afternoon into a successful event, ensuring the message was well received. Your evening component was thoroughly enjoyed, with many commenting after the event on how entertaining your various acts were, and the professionalism of the MC'ing.
Many thanks for your fantastic contribution to our recent product launch and roadshow. Your hoax speech as Dr Geoffrey Trescothick and interactive larger-than-life devil’s advocate character, “Trev”, really helped to bring each event to life and make it memorable for a very diverse audience. After seven presentations across Australia, attendee feedback has been the highest in any seminar we have run. This series of events has ensured that the Quantum messages are remembered above the myriad of all others that our clients are inundated with. In follow-up with attendees, it was clear that the core messages stuck, and this paved the way for the next step in our sales process. Because of the entertaining approach, customers were very receptive to what we have to offer. As we were launching a highly specialised and technical IT product, these events could have been very dry, but the humour and quirkiness you injected kept everyone fresh and focused, even at breakfast time! It was also valuable to have some of the genuine, serious material conveyed by Dr Trescothick, while Trev raised important issues that would have been on the audience’s mind in a Q&A format with a difference.”
