BJ Cunningham
Serial entrepreneur and founder of Death Cigarettes
*Fees are a guide only. Exact cost will be dependent on requirements and are subject to change.
About BJ Cunningham
With a growing profile for questioning convention, BJ founded a brand marketing agency that attracted clients including Volkswagen, Bang & Olufsen and Nokia. After successfully selling the business, he went on to create and lead the luxury footwear label Georgina Goodman, building it into a globally recognised brand before its acquisition by venture capital investors.
Today, BJ is a Visiting Professor at the University of Brighton and travels internationally delivering inspiring, thought-provoking keynote presentations. His philosophy centres on the belief that while customers are drawn to need over want, genuine premium brands remain resilient. As he puts it:
“Business is a long-term marriage with customers; discounting is little more than a one-night stand.”
At the heart of BJ’s message is a powerful principle: a brand is a promise, not a logo. It is about depth, not width, and far more than awareness alone. Organisations must know what they stand for, communicate it with clarity, and consistently deliver on that commitment. Through compelling real-world examples, BJ demonstrates how customers are drawn to the authentic soul of a business — and how brands can build lasting communities, not just transactions.
As a conference keynote speaker and business thought leader, BJ Cunningham challenges audiences to think differently about value, integrity and long-term brand equity, leaving leaders inspired to build businesses that stand for something meaningful — and endure.
To book Keynote Speaker BJ Cunningham, contact The Speakers Agency on +44(0)1332 810481 or email enquiries@thespeakersagency.com
BRANDING & MARKETING
· Profiting from the Truth: Life, Death and Nothing – Why truth is the most powerful tool in business, branding, and leadership. The story of DEATH™ Cigarettes.
· Radical Honesty: Why The Future of Branding is Built on Trust – How transparency builds trust and transforms businesses.
· The Three Circles: Creating Unassailable Brand Alignment – Aligning brand identity, company culture, and customer perception for business success.
· Transformation Narrative: Emotional Storytelling that Sells – How to craft powerful brand stories that drive engagement and conversions.
· The Death of Traditional Advertising: What Comes Next for Brands? – The future of brand communication in a digital-first world.
RESILIENCE, ENTREPRENEURSHIP & CHANGE
· Profiting from the Truth: Life, Death and Nothing – Why truth is the most powerful tool in business, branding, and leadership. The story of DEATH™ Cigarettes.
· Resilient Leadership: How to Win in Uncertain Times – Why failure, risk, and agility are the essential tools for success in an unpredictable world.
· Dancing with Nightmares: The Art of Problem Transformation – Finding hidden opportunities in your biggest challenges.
CUSTOMER LOYALTY & EXPERIENCE
· The Loyalty Revolution: How to Build Customers for Life – The new rules of customer retention beyond discounts and incentives.
· Beyond the One-Night Stand: Building Unbreakable Customer Loyalty – Creating emotional connections that outperform rational benefits.
· AI, Tech & the Human Connection: The Future of Customer Experience – How emerging technologies are reshaping customer engagement and brand trust.
LEADERSHIP & ORGANISATIONAL CULTURE
· Say What Is So: The Revolutionary Power of Radical Clarity – Why truth and transparency are the ultimate tools for leadership and branding.
· Building a Fearless Organisation: Thriving Through Risk & Innovation – How to create a psychologically safe workplace that fosters bold thinking and action.
· From Transactional to Transformational: The Power of Emotional Intelligence in Business – How EQ fuels innovation, leadership, and high-performing teams.
FUTURE TRENDS & INNOVATION
· The Future of Work: AI, Leadership & The Next Business Revolution – How automation, hybrid work, and leadership adaptability will define the next era of business.
· The Belief Economy: Shaping Perception in a Post-Truth World – How to create trust and influence in a sceptical, information-saturated age.
· The Green Business Revolution: Profits & Planet Can Coexist – Why sustainability is no longer optional and how it drives profitability.
· The Science of Influence: How to Win Hearts, Minds, and Markets – Using belief-driven branding and psychology to create unshakable loyalty.
Client Feedback
"Having BJ recount his life experiences felt like an energising spark showing you the door to your dreams saying 'go for it.'"
Richmond Events
"BJ was masterful. The perfect balance between serious messages, life lessons, provocative thinking and straightforward humour. It was our pleasure to put him on stage. We loved him. He made our event better."
Euroheat & Power
"BJ's almost spiritual distillation of the concept of 'brand' will have you throwing your old definition into the dustbin."
INFLOW Global Summit
"We all loved him. He has the stage presence of an actor, with a message you will remember for a long time. His story is funny, witty, intelligent, meaningful and remarkable. As he is himself. Do your attendees a big favour, and give them BJ."
Bring Dialog
"Influencers are a tough audience; they aren't impressed by much. BJ smashes it every time. The audience in the room stay captivated, involved and engaged. I've never heard so much laughter in a hall at a Summit event. Fabulous."
INFLOW Global Summit
"BJ exceeded our expectations, his session was a perfect fit for our audience. He was interactive, innovative and enthralling. Our audience was captivated by BJ. Our audience described BJ as a business comedian, applauded his open honesty and welcomed his clear and concise view on Marketing."
GDS International for iStrategy
"Since day one, he's hosted with warmth, insight, and confidence. His humility and charisma make everyone feel at ease. BJ's wit and charm create an ambiance where others shine. We love him. BJ is the essence of MARKA."
MARKA Conference
