Professional Speaker on Marketing, Technology and Social Media

In addition to my work as a technologist and marketer, I regularly do presentations, seminars and hands-on workshops. These generally focus on marketing, social media, blogs and emerging technology. In fact, I recently co-authored a book on social media marketing. From time to time, I talk to the media about the web.

My presentations are energetic, interactive and based in the real world, using concrete examples often drawn from the audience. Before I got into technology and marketing, I completed a BFA in Theatre, so I know how to perform–to seize an audience’s attention and hold it. My presentations tell stories, and my slides set the scenes.

I’ve also worked as a technical writer, so it’s second nature for me to translate geek speak to plain English.

Common Speaking Topics

Here are some topics I’ve recently spoken on:

  • Marketing Kung-Fu and the Social Web
    A hands-on primer on the new Web–blogs, Facebook and Twitter.
  • The Seven Deadly Sins of Social Media Marketing
    Real-world stories and case studies about the seven most deadly risks of web-based public relations.
  • The Meme Epidemic
    What are these virally-transmitted ideas? Who makes them, how do they start and how do they spread?
  • 1100 Stacies
    Social responsibility and how to do (more) good on the Web. Watch the video.

Here are a few clips from a talk I gave at UBC Robson Square in Vancouver:

Where I Speak

I’ve talked to five people in a boardroom, and 500 people in a ballroom. Here are some of the organizations and companies that I’ve presented to:

  • American Marketing Association
  • BC Association of Integrated Marketers
  • Business Objects
  • Canadian Education Centre Network
  • Canada NewsWire
  • Canada School of Public Service
  • Canadian Public Relations Society
  • Cizitenship and Immigration Canada
  • Gnomedex
  • Internet Marketing Conference
  • Interpretation Canada
  • Justice Institute of British Columbia
  • Mesh
  • Mountain Equipment Co-op
  • Public Relations Society of America
  • QUAY Strategies
  • Simon Fraser University
  • Translink
  • University of British Columbia

Where I’m Speaking

Recent and upcoming public speaking engagements include:

Testimonials

A few nice things that people have said about my talks:

“The conference was centred around marketing strategies for online PC backup and sharing services. Darren very effectively complemented this main theme with an insightful talk about the trends in social media and what it means for a modern marketing organization. Casero’s customers are all in the technology sector, but even these executives are often mired down in day-to-day issues and struggle to see the implications of recent social media developments.

With abundant use of examples and metaphors, Darren clearly has a knack for explaining complex topics in a simple and humourous manner. Conference attendees vigorously scribbled notes as Darren spoke - and unanimously gave feedback that Darren’s presentation was insightful and a welcome addition to the event’s agenda.”

–Michael Silverman, Casero

It’s important to the High Tech Communicators Exchange that we deliver topics that are forward looking, practical and entertaining. As a feature speaker at our HTCE sessions, Darren delivers this in spades. He knows his topic and provides great insights into Web 2.0 and social networking and relates it to day-to-day marketing and communications. When he’s billed as our feature speaker, he draws a big crowd.

–Catherine Ducharme, HTCE

I sought out Darren to speak at Content Convergence and Integration 2008 because of his background, bridging the worlds of technical and marketing communications and social media, and his ability to see and explain trends. He delivered a workshop that presented some hard truths, and radical changes for their profession. He did so in a way that kept participants both engaged and excited about their futures. Darren is a valuable resource to any organization that needs a presenter with a clear and interesting style.

–Rahel Bailie, Content Convergence