Innovation Keynote Speaker

& Founder of Shazam

Disrupt Your Thinking.

Supercharge Innovation.

Speaking

Unforgettable Keynotes

Chris delivers inspiring and actionable keynotes that transform innovation within organizations. He is an expert and master of disruptive thinking to drive game-changing innovation. His keynotes are rich in fascinating first-hand stories drawn from the front line of innovation at Shazam, Google, and Dropbox. Shazam has been downloaded over 2 billion times around the world.

Chris is the founder and first CEO of Shazam, three-time startup founder, pioneer of mobile ecosystems at Google and Dropbox, advisor to startup companies, inventor of 12 patents including one found within the Google search algorithm, and a former strategy consultant serving many industries.

Keynote clients have highlighted Chris’s “powerful content” that “generated talkability across the organization” and that “will stick for years to come.”

Boldly Challenging Thinking

The truth is that anyone can create game-changing innovations and these can redefine any part of an organization – from products to business models to processes.

We can learn from the unorthodox thinking found at disruptive startups. Immersive conviction and unexpected perspectives are common at these maverick companies. This thinking has roots in defiance and leads to incredible hidden opportunities.

Start from Zero: Five Unexpected Methods of Disruptive Thinking

Chris has identified five ways of thinking that are the foundation of game-changing innovation. He calls them “Start from Zero”. They are fundamentally different than the way our brains are wired to think and each has a clear methodology. The first one is thinking from “basic truths”, known by scientists as “first principles thinking”. Aristotle called these “the first basis from which a thing is known.” Building on these fundamental truths is how Elon Musk, Steve Jobs, Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and Leonardo Da Vinci came up with their breakthrough ideas.

Why doesn’t everyone do this? Elon Musk says “It’s mentally easier to reason by analogy rather than from first principles.” By default, people approach problems from the basis of established processes. Our brains are wired this way. As a result, new ideas often generate only slight improvements.

Thinking from basic truths can be employed anytime creative thought is used. The result can be dramatic breakthroughs in products, business models, and business processes.

This is just one of the five unique ways of thinking that drive breakout innovation. This is the thinking that led to Shazam.

Unleash the game-changing possibilities at your organization. Disrupt your thinking. Supercharge innovation.

Chris also delivers virtual talks from his state-of-the-art studio that includes multiple cameras with live switching, integrated presentation view, professional lighting/sound equipment, and home-brewed coffee.

Chris has helped many global brands and organizations supercharge their innovation through his keynote speaking.

About

About Chris

When I came up with the idea to identify music out of thin air, everyone said it was impossible. I then embarked on a journey to make it possible through not just one, but many innovations. I have continued to innovate and learn from amazing innovators during 8 years at Google, 4 years at Dropbox and as founder of my new company, Guard.
I like to create magic
Shazam: Founder & First CEO
(Acquired by Apple in 2018 for reported $400 million)
I am passionate about impact
Guard: Founder & CEO
(Artificial intelligence to prevent drowning in swimming pools)
I love to collaborate with amazing people
Google: As the first Google employee focused on mobile, I created from scratch the carrier partnership framework for Search and Android.
I know how to roll up my sleeves
Dropbox: I joined this scrappy startup with just 90 employees to build their mobile business.
I like to invent things
12 Patents Granted
(Inventions for Shazam, Google, and Dropbox)
I am not shy of the camera
I have learned how to overcome challenges
I struggled with dyslexia but still managed to earn a Bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley, a Master’s degree from Cambridge University, and an MBA from UC Berkeley.

About Shazam

Innovation at Shazam started with a breakthrough invention and then followed a fascinating 18 year journey across changing platforms, technologies, and business models. Ultimately Shazam was acquired by Apple for a reported $400 million, Apple’s 6th largest acquisition of all time. Shazam has had over 2 billion downloads and is one of the world’s most popular apps.

Photos

Contact

Let’s Talk!

Thank you for
sending an email

Thank you for

subscribing