Anthony Ackroyd

As Australia's leading authority on the application of humour and positive energy to produce outstanding business results Anthony's presentations are full of fun and laughter but the long term benefits for clients are tangible and profitable.
Anthony's talents as a speaker and workshop leader have seen him positively impacting companies such as Qantas, Insurance Australia Group, Bakers Delight, BOC, News Limited, Greenpeace, BHP, Wespac, and NSW State Parliament.

As one of Australia's most successful comedy writer-performers Anthony is uniquely qualified to speak on the power of humour. He rose to prominence as one of the stars of the ABC's legendary comedy series "The Big Gig". He has worked extensively throughout Australia, USA, UK, New Zealand, and Asia. Anthony has performed and written for over sixty Australian and international TV shows, radio programmes, and feature films (he's even been a question on "Wheel Of Fortune"!).

Anthony has produced laughter live in front of audiences ranging in number from a private party of 10 to 110,000 at Stadium Australia.

In the mid 1990's Anthony began to apply his unique talents to entertaining and inspiring the business and corporate world. He is CEO of his company Not Drowning, Laughing! which specializes in creating and presenting training events that are immensely enjoyable for the participants and produce exceptional business outcomes for the client.

Anthony teaches a methodology to create intentional fun, laughter, play, and positive energy within the work environment and he shows how to use this as a technology not just to improve but to produce a paradigm shift in staff relations, service climate, and customer satisfaction.

Anthony's keynote, after dinner, and conference deliveries include "Humour Power!: How to turn fun into profit!", "Ah-Ha! meets Ha-Ha!: How to use humour to powerfully accelerate creativity and innovation!, "Joy Management!: Using humour to turn stress into success!", and "Sense of Humour, Superlative Service, Stupendous Sales!: How to laugh yourself all the way to the bank!".

Anthony's half or full day workshops are the most fun a group of people can have while learning and honing skills critical to optimal work practices such as team synergy, communication, evolution of a compelling vision, emotional management, and creativity.

Comprehensive research is a key part of Anthony's approach. Each talk or workshop is specifically tailored to meet the needs and desired outcomes of the client. Anthony walks into the room having researched to deeply understand the company culture and individual dynamics of his audience. Comprehensive follow up is also offered to ensure results are reinforced.

Results reported by Anthony's clients include:

• Improved productivity, efficiency, and morale
• Increased staff satisfaction and loyalty
• A work environment that has people performing at their best consistently
• Climate change enabling negotiation to take place within the context of mutual respect
• An energy that attracts customers and ensures return business
• Greatly enhanced communication at all levels
• Increased motivation and accelerated creativity
• A forged identity of pride and personal ownership of a worthy vision
• Increased profile and differentiation of brand name from competitors
• Increased profits

Client Ovations: Wonderful!! Wonderful!! Wonderful!! Everyone had sore faces from laughing so much.....it was great!

Advance Bank

Anthony was great. We gave him a really tough brief ' he pulled it off. He was great to work with & we will use him again.

Telstra

What a brilliant job! A charming, witty and totally engaging Master of Ceremonies.

Variety Club of Australia

Anthony is a brilliant comedian. He is also the consummate Master of Ceremonies. His skill and professionalism were instrumental in creating a wonderful night. I highly recommend him.

AAPT

Five cities, five fantastic shows!! Anthony had each ' every audience pumped!!

Reebok

His humour is great. Uses 'real life' pictures, discusses those things people blush about. Finished on a great high, left people laughing and discussing issues.

CEO, Australian Trucking Association

Anthony proved himself to be a complete professional. Not only did we call him some 8 hours before the gig, but also with only the briefest of briefs from our company he struck a perfect chord with our audience. What's more he was incredibly funny without offending anyone. A hard act to pull off when the audience encompasses Senior Management right through to Sales Representatives, and an age gap of 30 years. Anthony turned a quiet dinner into one of the best evenings of our conference. He is a comic genius!!

Masterfoods