Speaking
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Yes, 80s Pop Culture Can Teach Us About Life and Work!
Believe it or not, 80s pop culture and particularly the great movies that defined the decade can teach us a lot about our workplace, our business, our careers, and our lives.
Chris combines 20-plus years of marketing experience across a variety of industries, including global brands and ad agencies, with his unmatched passion for all things 80s to bring a fun, informative, relatable, interactive, and unique presentation to your group.
When you book Chris to speak at your event, the audience will learn, laugh, and discover valuable lessons to bring back to their organization.
Chris can even customize the lessons to your needs or theme and include movies that fit your business, workplace, or classroom.
Below are just a few workplace culture categories and lessons from 80s pop culture that he can integrate into his presentations.
Believe it or not, 80s pop culture and particularly the great movies that defined the decade can teach us a lot about our workplace, our business, our careers, and our lives.
Chris combines 20-plus years of marketing experience across a variety of industries, including global brands and ad agencies, with his unmatched passion for all things 80s to bring a fun, informative, relatable, interactive, and unique presentation to your group.
When you book Chris to speak at your event, the audience will learn, laugh, and discover valuable lessons to bring back to their organization.
Chris can even customize the lessons to your needs or theme and include movies that fit your business, workplace, or classroom.
Below are just a few workplace culture categories and lessons from 80s pop culture that he can integrate into his presentations.
Workplace Culture
- Learn how Jeff Spicoli from Fast Times at Ridgemont High taught us two very valuable lessons for the culture in our workplace: That it is ok to say, “I don’t know,” and how to avoid the “bogus” tag for your workplace culture
- See how we can turn the old adage of work-life balance for ourselves into a righteous and selfless act – a la Ferris Bueller
- Find out what Mr. Miyagi from The Karate Kid taught us about how to manage our stress in the workplace
- Learn what the Ghostbusters taught us about embracing risk
- See how E.T. taught us about social responsibility
- …and many more workplace culture lessons
- Learn how Jeff Spicoli from Fast Times at Ridgemont High taught us two very valuable lessons for the culture in our workplace: That it is ok to say, “I don’t know,” and how to avoid the “bogus” tag for your workplace culture
- See how we can turn the old adage of work-life balance for ourselves into a righteous and selfless act – a la Ferris Bueller
- Find out what Mr. Miyagi from The Karate Kid taught us about how to manage our stress in the workplace
- Learn what the Ghostbusters taught us about embracing risk
- See how E.T. taught us about social responsibility
- …and many more workplace culture lessons
Leadership
- Learn how two greasers, Johnny Cade and Ponyboy from The Outsiders, teach us about the importance of keeping our moral and ethical leadership compass intact
- See how Prince Akeem from Coming to America can teach us the difference between earned and unearned leadership
- Learn the distinct difference between those who rule and those who lead through the actions of the musical and pop culture icon Prince
- See how Axel Foley from Beverly Hills Cop taught us the importance of protecting your team
- …and many more leadership lessons
- Learn how two greasers, Johnny Cade and Ponyboy from The Outsiders, teach us about the importance of keeping our moral and ethical leadership compass intact
- See how Prince Akeem from Coming to America can teach us the difference between earned and unearned leadership
- Learn the distinct difference between those who rule and those who lead through the actions of the musical and pop culture icon Prince
- See how Axel Foley from Beverly Hills Cop taught us the importance of protecting your team
- …and many more leadership lessons
Life and Legacy
- Hear how Billy Ray Valentine (Eddie Murphy) from Trading Places teaches us the difference between confidence and arrogance
- See how a high school teacher named John Keating (Robin Williams) in Dead Poets Society shows us the difference between words and action, as well as how to look at things from a different perspective
- Learn how each character from The Breakfast Club can teach us about individuality and to just be you
- Find out how John McClane (Bruce Willis) in Die Hard teaches us about the best way to face challenges
- Hear what an iconic musician who loved the color purple taught us about encouragement and sharing the stage
- Listen to what Field of Dreams can teach us about embracing your illogical side
- …and so much more
- Hear how Billy Ray Valentine (Eddie Murphy) from Trading Places teaches us the difference between confidence and arrogance
- See how a high school teacher named John Keating (Robin Williams) in Dead Poets Society shows us the difference between words and action, as well as how to look at things from a different perspective
- Learn how each character from The Breakfast Club can teach us about individuality and to just be you
- Find out how John McClane (Bruce Willis) in Die Hard teaches us about the best way to face challenges
- Hear what an iconic musician who loved the color purple taught us about encouragement and sharing the stage
- Listen to what Field of Dreams can teach us about embracing your illogical side
- …and so much more
Marketing, Communications and Sales
- See how lovable knucklehead Clark Griswold in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation teaches us the importance of knowing your audience
- Learn how Inigo Montoya from The Princess Bride taught us about message and brand consistency
- Find out how Del Griffith from Planes, Trains and Automobiles taught us that every great company needs a great salesperson
- See how Lloyd Dobler from Say Anything shows us how to create a unique and memorable brand
- …and more marketing, sales, and communications lessons
- See how lovable knucklehead Clark Griswold in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation teaches us the importance of knowing your audience
- Learn how Inigo Montoya from The Princess Bride taught us about message and brand consistency
- Find out how Del Griffith from Planes, Trains and Automobiles taught us that every great company needs a great salesperson
- See how Lloyd Dobler from Say Anything shows us how to create a unique and memorable brand
- …and more marketing, sales, and communications lessons
Inclusion and Teamwork
- See how two characters from The Goonies (Chunk and Sloth) teach us the importance of inclusion in the workplace
- See how The Frog Brothers from The Lost Boys teach us that problem solvers don’t come in a one-size-fits-all package
- Learn how a goofy greenskeeper from Caddyshack taught us the importance of expanding our workplace circle of trust
- Find out how five kids stuck in Saturday detention in The Breakfast Club taught us how to appreciate, embrace, and value each other’s differences
- …and more workplace inclusion lessons
- See how two characters from The Goonies (Chunk and Sloth) teach us the importance of inclusion in the workplace
- See how The Frog Brothers from The Lost Boys teach us that problem solvers don’t come in a one-size-fits-all package
- Learn how a goofy greenskeeper from Caddyshack taught us the importance of expanding our workplace circle of trust
- Find out how five kids stuck in Saturday detention in The Breakfast Club taught us how to appreciate, embrace, and value each other’s differences
- …and more workplace inclusion lessons
Chris has spoken to some totally awesome organizations.
Testimonials
"GRATEFUL"
“Chris absolutely lit up the room with his passion, insight, and heart. His ability to connect real leadership lessons through ‘80s pop culture made it not only memorable, but deeply meaningful. He left us thinking, laughing, and reflecting – and that’s a rare gift. Grateful to have Chris in our corner and can’t wait to do it again.”
—Kelly Grawbosky, CCM, Managing Director, Florida Chapter of the Club Management Association of America
"APPROACHABLE AND RELATABLE"
“Chris engaged an audience of more than 300 with a high‑energy keynote that generated lasting conversations. His insight, humor, and perspective made for a truly memorable keynote experience. He skillfully pulled in familiar touchstones like The Breakfast Club and Coming to America, while drawing on Dead Poets Society to emphasize leadership, independent thinking, and the courage to challenge the status quo—using humor and shared cultural memory to make complex topics feel approachable and relatable.”
—Amy Landis, Vice President, 7×24 Exchange Carolinas Chapter
"ENGAGING AND INTERACTIVE"
“Chris’ virtual keynote on lessons for life and work from ’80s pop culture was engaging and interactive!
And you don’t need to be an 80’s baby to get it; as a 90’s child, I took away a lot of wisdom for my personal and professional life.
Any audience would benefit from Chris’ insight. Chris was great to work with and hear from!”
— Emma Disterhoft, Director of Programs, American Marketing Association, Iowa
"VERY INSPIRING"
“Like it was totally rad dude!
Chris presented an abridged version of “What the 80’s can teach us about business” (due to time constraints) during our annual Learning Festival in June 2020 to a virtual crowd of about 200 attendees. It was amazing as his use of 80’s icons blended with his energetic and enthusiastic delivery made for an extremely effective presentation.
Here is what the attendees had to say. ‘Loved the 80s presentation!”Very inspiring and relatable, especially in these times.’ ‘This was probably my favorite LF webinar so far :)’
I would work with Chris Clews anytime and look forward to introducing him to a larger crowd for future Visa events.
Thank you, Chris!
— John Knauff, Director, Visa University Marketing Learning, Visa Inc.
"BEST EDUCATION SESSION"
“Chris’s presentation was by far the BEST education session I’ve been to in my 20+ years in the Private Club industry.
As a huge 80s/90s movie fan myself, I love how he incorporated it into management and real-life scenarios.”
— Burak Meyveci, Metropolitan Chapter, CMAA
"GENIUS"
“It’s genius he’s doing this. This was one of my highlights of NostalgiaCon. Great work!”
— Anu Gunn, Director and Cinematographer, A. R. Rahman (Oscar-winning composer of “Slumdog Millionaire”), “One Heart Concert Film” on Netflix
"BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND"
“Back by popular demand, Chris delivered a captivating conversation around the life and work lessons we can learn from ‘80s pop culture. With “enthusiasm, passion and deep knowledge, Chris connected the iconic era to great wisdom! He was upbeat, fun and inspirational and the audience raved about his engaging storytelling, relatable anecdotes and seamless delivery. Great job, Chris!”
—Young Un Cho, Senior Consultant, Talent Management and Leadership Development, Penn Medicine Academy
"ENGAGING, INSIGHTFUL, FUN..."
“Chris captivated our group of students, faculty, and staff with his enthusiastic presentation focused on 80s pop culture and workplace topics that resonated with attendees no matter their age or level of professional experience. An engaging, insightful, fun, and useful experience that we didn’t want to end.
Chris can be our wingman in education and professional development anytime because the adventure he takes you on doesn’t need roads.”
— Evan Kropp, Ph.D., Director of Online Graduate Programs at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Mass Communications
"TOTALLY AWESOME TIME!"
“We had a totally awesome time! The team really enjoyed Chris’s business and life perspectives from 80s pop culture. I received amazing feedback from the team, and everyone thinks that he would make a wonderful Pirate Dread Roberts! We would bring Chris back anytime!”
– Joseph Siegel, Sr. Director Brand, Digital and Creative Strategy, DHL Americas
"ENTERTAINING AND RELATABLE..."
“There is nothing more relatable than learning lessons of leadership through 80’s pop culture!
Chris excels at bridging the professional with the fun and had the crowd engaged throughout his entire presentation. He has turned his own passions into an entertaining and relatable teaching moment for all audiences.”
— Laura Dooley, 2021 President of the Board of Directors, State Government Affairs Counsel
"FANTASTIC! WELL DONE!"
“One of the last presentations of the conference was Laugh & Learn: What 80’s Pop Culture Teaches Us About Today’s Workplace by Chris Clews. I never thought I’d see the Goonies referenced at a professional conference, but it was a fantastic way to discuss diversity and inclusion! Well done! “
— Elizabeth Lust, Ph.D., Industrial/Organizational Consultant at Educational Testing Service
"FUN AND UNIQUE"
“Chris’s energy and relatable style combined with his fun and unique content will keep any audience engaged. Who would have thought we could learn so many valuable business and life lessons from 80s pop culture? He should be on your stage at your next event.”
— Andy Ellen, President and General Counsel, North Carolina Retail Merchants Association
Downloadable Speaker Materials
Need a bit more information on Chris and his content? Check out his totally awesome Speaker sheet.
FUN
UNIQUE
