Paddy Gilmore
Expert in Humour in Marketing
*Fees are a guide only. Exact cost will be dependent on requirements and are subject to change.
About Paddy Gilmore
Paddy Gilmore is a recognised expert in how brands use humour to stand out and influence buying behaviour. With 25 years’ experience in marketing and a Master’s degree exploring the science of humour, he blends sharp commercial insight with clear, evidence-led thinking, helping organisations move beyond “being funny” to using humour as a strategic tool for connection, memorability and growth.
His early interest in the subject began during his MA in History of Art, where he examined how conceptual artists such as Yoko Ono used humour to provoke, disarm and communicate. He later moved into advertising, contributing to landmark campaigns for Three, Barclays and Bloomberg, while also writing sitcoms for BBC Radio 2 and jokes for the late Sir Bruce Forsyth on Strictly Come Dancing.
Paddy has since built a global portfolio, working with brands including HSBC, Harley-Davidson, Atlassian, Epson, Pernod Ricard and Nando’s. Through his consultancy HumourScope®, he helps organisations apply humour science, psychology, neuroscience, ethics and philosophy, to create messaging that cuts through, resonates and drives commercial outcomes.
A compelling international keynote speaker, Paddy is known for bringing complex ideas to life with clarity, fun and real-world relevance. He has spoken at The Future of Brands (London), the Baltic Brand Forum (Riga) and WPP Stream (Greece), and continues to deliver workshops and seminars worldwide.
Paddy also writes a popular column for The Drum, and his weekly newsletter, Brands & Humour, helps thousands of readers start their week on a happier note. Across every platform, he champions smart, strategic humour as one of the most powerful, and underused, tools in modern communication.
To book Keynote Speaker Paddy Gilmore, contact The Speakers Agency on +44(0)1332 810481 or email enquiries@thespeakersagency.com
How to use Humour in your Ads and Not Suffer Sleepless Nights
People love watching funny ads, creatives love making funny ads and funny ads make people more likely to buy what you sell. But businesses often shy away from humour through fear. How can your brand use humour without you suffering insomnia?
Humour, AI and Advertising
Does AI produce safe, funny ads? Does AI even know what humour is? Taking in the cutting-edge of emerging technology, this talk looks at how AI is impacting on notions of what we find funny.
Why do Funny Ads Work — and How?
A funny ad might seem inexplicable. Not at all. Psychologists, sociologists and dozens of other academics now know why we find funny ads funny. Lift up the bonnet on some of the world’s best-known funny ads to see how they work — and why.
Using Humour to Drive your Sales: Identifying the Humour Strategy for Your Brand
When we think of humour we typically think of it tactically. But more and more humour is being used as a strategic tool: this talk gives you an overview of how the world’s biggest brands — McDonald’s, VW, IKEA — use humour for very profitable reasons.
Client Feedback
"As a Jewish New Yorker, I always thought I knew a thing or two about humor. Then I met Paddy Gilmore."
Ogilvy & Mather & R/GA New York
"I heard Paddy speak then went to his workshop. I learnt so much. The Einstein of humour and marketing."
Bayer
"We all love humour, but it’s a difficult concept because it has so many facets. In his talk Paddy gave us a clear understanding of humour’s “chemical formulas”, demonstrating how humour can help towards our long-term brand-building goals. His work will prove invaluable."
Tele2
"What Paddy Gilmore doesn’t know about humor and marketing, frankly, isn’t worth knowing."
Wilkins Harley-Davidson
