Home2020-03-06T21:58:15+00:00
INNOVATION SPEAKER

DUNCAN
WARDLE

IGNITE A CULTURE OF INNOVATION AND
CREATIVITY WITHIN YOUR COMPANY

Book Duncan
Innovation Speaker - Duncan Wardle

ideate, innovate, elevate.

As Head of Innovation and Creativity at Disney, Duncan led the team that helped Imagineering, Lucasfilm, Marvel, Pixar and Disney Parks to innovate, creating magical new storylines and experiences for consumers around the globe. As founder of iD8 & innov8 he now brings his extensive Disney experience as an Innovation Speaker delivering keynotes, workshops and ideation forums, around the globe helping companies embed a culture of innovation into everyone’s DNA.

Innovation Speaker - Duncan Wardle

Keynotes

With 25+ years spent in leadership roles at Disney, Duncan’s talks are anything but ordinary. As an Innovation Speaker he shares real world stories and lessons learned from the innovation battlefield. Duncan leaves audiences inspired, motivated, and ready to innovate for their own organizations.

Workshops

By sharing the tools and techniques needed to generate more frequent, consistent “a-ha!” moments for your business, Duncan’s hands-on innovation workshops turn teams into innovation powerhouses, driving immediate, measurable impact for organizations across the globe.

Ideation Sessions

Forever change brainstorming: Let Duncan guide your team through a structured Ideation Session and make the sparks fly. Learn the format that’s been proven to elicit the most meaningful new ideas from every level of your company, and change the way your team innovates.

on a mission to eradicate the
status quo.

Duncan challenges everyone to claim their own creativity, thus creating a culture of innovation never possible before. The former Head of Innovation and Creativity for Disney, Duncan is now one of the world’s most highly regarded innovation speakers and innovation consultants, teaching companies, brands and individuals across the globe to overcome their own expertise and get out of their own way. To think differently and creatively.

In an age where meetings and projects and presentations have your employees feeling like they are “too busy to think,” as an Innovation Speaker Duncan teaches how to create an innovation “light switch.” A way to turn on their creative brain and access the ideas that turn ordinary companies into industry leaders.

It takes time and money to find, hire, and build your teams. So why not leverage the full potential of their creativity and harness the full spectrum of their innovation? Through his pioneering consulting services, Duncan teaches organizations how to do just that, maximizing the ROI they receive on their most valuable resource: their people.

Imagination Emporium - Duncan Wardle, Innovation Speaker

Based on his 25 years of innovations leadership at Disney, Duncan’s unique design thinking process will empower your entire organization to redefine how they think about
problems and solutions. Teams leave with the tools they need to start innovating
today and to immediately drive positive growth for your organization.

Are you ready to see the ideas that are unleashed by fostering a culture of innovation
and creativity within your organization?

Discover More

OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO

As a world-renown Innovation Speaker, Duncan travels to dozens of countries each year, reaching thousands of individuals through his innovation keynote speeches, ideation workshops and creative consulting.

Duncan believes that creativity has no borders. No matter where your organization is located, he can deliver an impactful message that’s tailored to your local environment, and built upon the lessons he learned as a global creative executive for The Walt Disney Company.

Discover More

Company Duncan Keeps

Duncan’s workshop sparked our creative minds and gave us the tools that will pay dividends for years to come. My team was thoroughly captivated, fully engaged, energized and inspired. Look no further than Duncan for one of the best investments you will ever make in your business.

-Lisa Cotter, VP of Marketing for Orlando Magic

We had the immense pleasure of having Duncan conduct an "Innovation workshop" with our newly formed creative team at Apple. Duncan energized the room within minutes and had the undivided attention of all 25 participants. His ideas and activities around innovation are methods we still use in our creative brainstorming exercises and have resulted in much richer results.

- Suchi Parikh-Crandall, Creative Director of WW Channel Sales for Apple

Thank you so much Duncan.

The feedback from the team has been overwhelmingly positive. I think you really helped us break through and we will make the changes we need.

Thank you for giving us the tools to set us up for change, innovation and success.

- Laura Molen, President of NBCU Advertising and Partnerships

In one word I would explain Duncan’s creativity training as transformative. One day with Duncan created more than a year of conversation and fresh approaches to brainstorming throughout our agency.

-Tom Coyne, CEO of Coyne PR

Duncan has a unique way of connecting with an audience and challenging them to approach creativity in a radically different approach. Considering that many of the people in the audience are creative people by nature and job description, that is fairly remarkable. Duncan’s insights and sense of humor keep the audience engaged from start to finish.

-Paul Noland, President & CEO International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions

We've had the pleasure of having Duncan speak at three different events in 2017. Each time, he was the audience favorite, hands down. His presentations are work sessions designed to be fun, interactive, and fast-paced. Duncan is true wealth of creative knowledge and inspiration, and he helped our members stretch their out-of-the-box thinking.

-Mike McMahon, President & Executive Director, Path to Purchase Institute

Duncan has amazed all of us and our audience during his visit to Colombia. Addressing to an audience of over 1,000 people he was able to land innovation and creativity in very simple and practical steps, and in a very fun way also! It is obvious that his over 20 years of experience with outstanding results in his back has given us also proven results of his proposed methodology. As a speaker, he comes across very simple, clear but with an incredible passion that is so contagious, you don’t realize how time goes by in his presentation!

-MARCELO CATALDO, CEO, Tigo Une

Duncan was an inspiring part of TEDx. His knowledge and experience are matched by his enthusiasm for delighting the audience with his wit and charm. I look forward to working with Duncan again- learning & exploring, in-depth, through his design workshops!

-Cassaundra Melgar-C’de Baca, Executive Producer, TEDxLadyBirdLake

If your company is looking for ways to continuously improve, engage your employees to think differently and have fun along the way, you’ll find inspiration in Duncan’s Innovation Emporium., Not only have our teams returned from Duncan’s workshops with a newfound excitement and a belief that they have what it takes to be innovative, they’ve also generated tangible ideas that are moving into the implementation phase.

-Laurie Giammona, Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer - Pacific Gas and Electric Company

Duncan Wardle's interactive presentation breathed a new life of excitement into our Driven Brands Marketing teams. Immediately following his innovation seminar, we all created desktop screensavers with little tidbits or quotes from his lessons ensuring we would be reminded every day to "find the yes" or "get out of our river of thought"... and to "share early and often". We started having breakfast meetings where we idea shared. Ultimately Duncan's teachings continue to remind us that innovation is such a vital part of jobs and we can also have a lot of fun doing it.

-Hannah Ross, Sr. Marketing Manager, Carstar

Duncan’s power comes from his engaging exercises, energetic delivery and the memorability of his tools. When a 100 year old brand starts replacing stagnant approaches with expansive language like “how might we?” or “Yes, And,” - you know the culture is beginning to shift.

-Lori Geoffrey, Director of Digital Experience Pacific Gas and Electric

In true Disney fashion, Duncan’s teaching methods are educational and entertaining. He has successfully introduced new ways of thinking into our company, paving the way to invigorating and enhancing our culture of continued innovation and creativity.

-George Scammell, Director of Interior Design, Princess Cruises

The tools Duncan teaches in his Masterclasses are truly impactful. We have incorporated many of them into our strategic and annual planning exercises as well as ideation and hackathon sessions. As a result our employees are becoming more innovative and transformative - something every organization needs to be sustainable. I highly recommend Duncan’s sessions!

- Alex Kostenko

While Duncan spoke to a large and packed room, people were inspired and hung on his every word. Many claimed it was one of the best presentations they'd ever experienced. If you're looking for an amazing speaker who can motivate others to innovate, then look no further than Duncan Wardle.

-Michael Stelzner, Founder Social Media Examiner and Social Media Marketing World

Thank you for everything that you do and who you are.

And thank you for all of us who you have helped create amazing things and gave us the courage to bring our ideas into the world.

- Penney Fox

My head and heart just exploded. Thank you @DuncanJWardle for reminding us all the power of innovation and creativity. Loved your stories, loved your ideas, love love how you’ve ignited something in me. #getamplified

-Lucy Gibson

WOW! @DuncanJWardle is keynoting #TheSummit2020 by @TAGthink. This is BEYOND cool. If you don’t know Duncan, you don’t know innovation and imagination

-Arketi Group

Hi Duncan, thanks so much for the fantastic sessions today. From someone who has been taught to believe I don’t have a creative fiber in my body you have given me the belief that at least some of my ideas are pretty good. I am looking forward to using some of the things you went through back in the office

-Karen De Lore

I loved your intervention and the way you shaked us! As a mother of two boys, I’ve been thinking a lot about how parents and society block children’s creativity. I’m now on a process to reduce that influence as much as possible

-Carolina Bilbao Serrano

You’re amazing! I consider myself so very fortunate to have witnessed your brilliance up close, and only wish I worked for you longer. Keep dreaming and inspiring!

-

-Mark Jaronski

 

Attended Disrupt in Vancouver w/ Duncan and was blown away by the amount of next-day implementable tools he provided. The learn & do format of the day was right at my level meanwhile challenging some of my entrenched thinking. A great workshop presented by class act of a human.

-Ryan Sawatzky

@DuncanJWardle, great to hear you talk so passionately about Thinking Differently in the digital transformation journey. Already have some radical ideas to start my day tomorrow. And btw, you’re easily one of the best speakers I’ve ever heard on stage. Truly inspired!

-

-Jimmy Eapen

 

Thank you for sharing such a wonderful presentation and challenging us to think bigger. AND giving us tools to do it.

-William Hodges

This keynote speaks to my soul...looking at everything we do in the workplace from the objective and exciting perspective of “What if” Thanks @DuncanJWardle #corenetglobal

-Annemarie C. Henton

Duncan’s Musings

Why Richard Branson Just Gave $250 Million to his Employees – A Lesson in Employee-First Mentality

What if every executive gave up this year’s annual bonus and shares to help keep their people employed? Iconic entrepreneur Richard Branson made headlines this week with the announcement of a $250 million package aimed at saving his employees. With [...]

25 March, 2020|
Read More

Contact Me

Is your organization ready to unleash
the power of your team’s creativity?

ignite@duncanwardle.com

  • "The box is a blank canvas, and our imagination is the brush. And this imagination is not just reserved for the “creative” kids – we’re all born with it. In fact, we’re born with not one but four innovative traits that for most have been lying dormant since childhood. ___ But now more than ever, it’s time to bring these traits out of the cupboard. Because these are the traits that will be most valuable as we enter one of the most disruptive times in history." ___ Click the link to read more about how "A Box is Never Just a Box" and how you can use the 4 core traits you were born with to be more innovative and creative every day. ___ 💡 Read Now by clicking the link in my bio at @DuncanJWardle ___ #TimeToThinkDifferent #DesignThinking #Innovation #Creativity #InnovationSpeaker #InnovationKeynote #CreativityKeynote
  • Do you know the words to “It’s A Small World?” ___ When Walt Disney asked the Sherman brothers to craft a song for the 1964 Worlds Fair, the Sherman Brothers took their inspiration from the recent Cuban missile crisis and decided to write what they referred to as a poem for world peace. ___ “It’s A Small World” became the worlds most played song of all time. Most of us know the words with our eyes closed, and the ride often makes the “must-see” list of all visitors. (No matter how many times you’ve been on the ride before!) ___ To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the song we decided to tour around the world and ask people to sing along with us. People who’ve never left their country, never entered a Disney park, and didn’t speak English astonished us, again and again. No matter where we were in the world we were, children and adults alike, EVERYONE knew the words and sang along. Link in bio at @DuncanJWardle ___ @NASA even got in on the fun and filmed the last segment to remind us, how it is a “small world afterall.” ___ We all live on one planet. One world. And today more now than ever… ___ It’s A Small World After All! ___ #ItsASmallWorld #Peace #Kindness #Disney #itsASmallWorld #RichardSherman #DisneyHistory
  • Had a wonderful morning hosting my first virtual Innovation & Creativity Workshop! ___ ⏲ 8 different time zones 🌍 Australia, Singapore, Asia, Europe, and US ✏ Breakout sessions & collaborations 💡 New tools from my Design Thinking Toolkit ___ Thank you to the team at @SAP for inviting me to share my toolkit and teach you the tools you need to create a culture of innovation and creativity during these challenging times. ___ #Innovation #Creativity #DesignThinking #InnovationSpeaker #InnovationWorkshops #CreativityWorkshops #OnlineLearning
  • Not all hero’s wear capes... #FrontlineHeros
  • "I only hope that we don't lose sight of one thing - that it was all started by a mouse." Walt Disney ___ "Behind the magic of every Disney theme park lay mud, sweat and fears. Creating happiness is hard work. For nearly seventy years, a unique blend of artists and engineers - called Imagineers - have cultivated an impossible notion from the mind of one man, Walt Disney, into a global phenomenon that touches the hearts of millions." ___ It was an honour working with my Imagineering colleagues and friends at @Disney and had the pleasure of opening parks around the world including Hong Kong and Paris as featured in this film. ___ Have you watched "The Imagineering Story" on Disney Plus? ___ #DisneyAlumn #DisneyAlumni #DisneyHeritage #Disney #DisneyImagineering #Imagineer #CastMember #Imagineering #DisneyPlus
  • The coming months are going to be hard. As the world faces a level of uncertainty not seen in generations, now more than ever, corporations need to adopt an “Employee-First” mentality. ___ Iconic entrepreneur Richard Branson​ made headlines this week with the announcement of a $250 million package aimed at saving his employees. With major revenue streams coming from air travel, cruise lines, hotels, travel bookings, and aligned industries, Branson’s Virgin Airlines Group​ and its 70,000 global employees have already been greatly affected by the chaos caused by the coronavirus. ____ To stop the bleeding, Branson unveiled his plan to save his businesses. A plan that starts with saving his employees. As he explained, his top priority is to save jobs, and that the $250 million package “is likely just the start.” ____ Click the link in my bio to read my latest article. ____ #CX #customerexperience #customercare #marketresearch #customersuccess #businesssolutions #customerloyalty #customerengagement #ecommercewebsite #growyourbusinessonline #digitalsolutions #businessgrowth #customer #experience #brandexperience #RichardBranson