Joel Cohen

Emmy-Winning Writer and Co-Executive Producer of The Simpsons

Topics: Teamwork, Arts & Culture, Creativity, Innovation, Comedy & Humorist, Communication, Media, Strategy, Inspirational & Motivational, Business, Corporate Culture

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Biography

What does it take to stay creative and innovative for 30 straight years? What lessons can be drawn from the process and group dynamics of a hit TV show? How do you fix a leaky water heater? Joel Cohen can answer two of those questions.

As the Emmy award-winning writer and producer for The Simpsons, the longest-running American scripted primetime television series in history, Joel has been a key part of the show’s success. Since its debut on December 17, 1989, The Simpsons has broadcast more than 650 episodes, was named by Time as “The greatest TV show of the 20th century,” and ranked by TV Guide as the greatest TV cartoon of all time. It has won dozens of awards, including 31 Primetime Emmy Awards, 30 Annie Awards, and a Peabody Award.

A graduate of the University of Alberta (B.Sc.) and York University (M.B.A.), Joel Cohen found success in the corporate world before making a completely illogical career move into comedy writing. Cohen’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 innovation and its place in business. “The same factors that allow creativity to arise, to live or to die for writers are also present and relevant in corporations and even individuals.”

In addition to writing for several movies, TV and online projects, Joel is also the author of the new book How to Lose a Marathon: A Starter’s Guide to Finishing in 26.2 Chapters. This hilariously chronicles Joel Cohen’s step-by-step journey from being a couch potato to being whatever type of potato can finish a marathon.

In his fascinating and wonderfully humorous presentations, he provides vibrant stories and key lessons to the show’s sustained creative process, group dynamics and culture of innovation. A hilarious speaker, Cohen draws links between running a business and keeping a hit show fresh. This most certainly will be the best time you will ever have at a speech.

Joel has been invited to keynote more than a hundred events worldwide, including Merrill Lynch, AOL, Project Management Institute, Oklahoma State University, International Interior Design Assn., Accenture, Canadian Home Builders Assn., Association of Energy Services Professionals, Colorado State University, Red Hat, Training Magazine, InnoTown, Illinois State University, Communique, Brightworks, Savannah College of Art and Design, Eli Lilly, Desire2Learn, Colorado State University, CropLife Canada, DDB Group Asia Pacific, Envirotec, Beckman Coulter, Arido, Google, Canadian Produce Marketing Assn., Institute of Communication Agencies, Chick-fil-A, Mexico Corporate Leaders Summit, Compass Group, Canadian Construction Assn., Aptean, The Economic Club of Grand Rapids, …and many more.

Videos

Speech TopicsExpand each topic to learn more

Unlocking Creative Innovation: Insights from 'The Simpsons' Writer Joel Cohen on Mastering TV Comedy and Beyond

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Redefining Innovation: Creative Insights from 'The Simpsons' with Three-Time Emmy Winner Joel Cohen

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Innovating Like Icons: Business Lessons from the Success of The Simpsons

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How I Chose to Waste My Education: Behind-the-Scenes Lessons from 'The Simpsons' with Writer Joel Cohen

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There's no "I" in innovation - oh wait, there's 2 of them

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.”

The Business Tao of Homer

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).

(For Colleges): How I chose to waste my education: A writer takes you Behind the Scenes of The Simpsons

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.

Testimonials

Just a brief note to again thank you for a great presentation at IBM'S IMPACT Conference in Orlando. All of the feedback's been extremely positive. It was great to work with you and I hope to do it again soon. Thanks again for a job well done.

– IBM & Drury Design Dynamics

Joel was great and better still he is a lovely guy. His presentation was to an audience of about 800 people and he was well received. So much so that I believe he was considered the best speaker of the two day event...which meant DDB was also shown in a good light.

– DDB Group Asia Pacific

Everyone had a great time and very much enjoyed your time with us. Thank you for making an otherwise boring sales meeting very much brighter.

– AOL

Now that was great. Joel was the best speaker we have had in years. So incredibly funny. Thank you.

– Association of Energy Services Professionals

Well that was about as much fun as you can have in a business presentation. That was simply wonderful.

– Project Management Instituted

In the 27 years I have been arranging speakers for this organization, I have not enjoyed a presentation as much as I personally enjoyed Joel's. He was absolutely fantastic, funny, and engaging, and we've gotten great feedback from attendees.

– The Economic Club of Grand Rapids