Joel Cohen

Joel, a 3 time Emmy winner, talks about innovation and creativity based on his 22 year (and counting) writing gig on “The Simpsons.”  He draws lessons and insights from what some have called “The Greatest TV Show Ever” in a fun and funny presentation with his quickly-fading Canadian accent.   You’ll leave with great takeaways, tools you can apply to any creative challenge and also having heard a new, confusing way to say “about.”

Joel Cohen has an MBA and over ten years of work experience in the corporate workforce, and he has managed to waste it all, instead focusing on a career as an Emmy-award winning writer for “The Simpsons”,  the  program Time Magazine called “the greatest TV show of the 20th century.”  Joel’s experience as both a “creative” and a “suit” has not only left him with a puzzling resume, it also gives him a unique perspective to discuss and examine innovation, creativity and their place in the business world.  “The same factors  that allow creativity to arise, live or die for writers are also present in corporations and even individuals.” His insights are entertaining, highly practical and slightly tinged with a Canadian accent (Canadian accent not guaranteed).

An absolutely hilarious, deadpan, quick-on-his feet speaker, Cohen, armed with anecdotes and relevant clips, is perfect for any group that needs to inject more creative energy into their work but who prefer to laugh a little (okay, a lot) while learning how.  Joel’s speech addresses managing group dynamics, brainstorming, the evaluation of ideas and innovations and dealing with creative logjams (Note: for actual, literal logjams, Cohen recommends either a chainsaw or a beaver.  Or, if you can afford it, a beaver with a chainsaw).

In this crowd-pleasing talk, Cohen offers an insider’s look at how he came to work at “The Simpsons.”  He also unveils how some of the most memorable moments in the show’s history (and popular culture) came into being.